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Permalink Reply by Phillip Westendorf on January 19, 2016 at 7:08pm

Drew,

You can scarf chine logs and then bend them.  The 3/4" x 2" shouldn't be a problem.  Use an Minimum of eight to one ratio and the joint will be as strong as the wood itself.  Just be careful of the wood you use, any distressed grain may pose a problem and cause a break point.

Check out my build on this forum, "Dorf's Wooden Drift Boat", Page 2 is where the saga starts. I had several problems as mine were 7/8" x 1 /18" (too large a cross section) and two sets broke.  It's detailed there, also some photos of the scarfing jig I used and a clamping jig.  

As long as the wood is epoxied after the scarf you can use Titebond II or III Glue.  Some folks like to epoxy the joint too.  As long as the glued joint is protected from moisture you'll be OK.

G'Luck,

Dorf

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Permalink Reply by Mike Baker on January 19, 2016 at 7:22pm

Hey Dreu,

I always steam my chines. If the scarf is in the middle you can clamp it to the outside of your hull at the scarf and steam chine in front of and behind the scarf independently. I use a PVC pipe and after steaming the piece the appropriate time slide the PVC pipe off and clamp it to the outside of the hull. This will put some bend into the wood. It will have some spring back but will go in much easier. You can't really steam the chine and then put it in as you literally only have seconds to bend the wood and you will never get it in the notches quick enough. Here is a pic. that kinda shows the procedure on a Gunnel (ignore the fact that it is a super ugly glass boat as I am happy to take $ from glass guys too). Actually that was a pretty cool boat, it was one of Don Hill's Slide Rite boats.

Mike

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Permalink Reply by dreu patterson on January 19, 2016 at 8:12pm

thanks for the reply.I am just now getting interested in talking with everyone on this site.I am learning to load photos (I think).Please let me know if you see them.I sent some of the "bending wheel I made to assist with matching the curves.I also found it helpfull to soak the chines in water for a couple of hours before steaming.More pics to follow once I see that I attached them correctly-Dreu

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