Stem Details

I've searched the forums for info but just can't seem to find an answer. The plans I have don't give much detail for the stem (see attached drawing).

 

First should there be an additional board installed on the backside so that the ply has a nailing surface?

 

The plans call for a keelson I don't see this piece on any of your boats which causes some concern. I going to install it but it is a little tricky where the inner chine battens meet the stem and the keelson all run together, and then I have to get ply on to it. Is there a trick I'm missing here?

 

Do I cut an angle into the edge of the ply were it meets the stem?

 

Thanks in advance

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Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on May 16, 2011 at 9:57am

Rick, take a look a John's postings. Link below. I think that he has a picture of exactly what you are asking about.

 

http://www.woodenboatpeople.com/forum/topics/unlikely-boat-builder-...

 

Happy Waves to You,

 

Rick Newman

 

Permalink Reply by Jordan Davis on May 16, 2011 at 2:28pm
Looks like you have a Spira design...  I had one two but didnt install a keelson and used a Steele/Fletcher style of stem.  Very easy to make out of 4x4 stock and much more pleasing to the eye.  If you are curious on how to cut yours, the design is simply a 2x6 on edge.  Use an angle finder (bevel gauge, or whatever you like to call it) and match up the angles for the cuts at the ends of your stem.  Make sure to mark top and botom as many of Spira's designs have different opposing angles at top and botton.
Permalink Reply by Rick Wilson on May 16, 2011 at 6:14pm
Jordan any tips on how you built your Steele/Fletcher design? Not real confident in the original spira design.
Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on May 16, 2011 at 7:19pm

Buy Roger Fletcher's book Drift Boats and River Dories. See River's Touch.com for details.  There is a vast difference between the Spira designed boats and the True McKenzie River Drift Boat. When you look over the book you will see a variety of designs. Good luck on your build.

 

Rick Newman

Permalink Reply by Jordan Davis on May 16, 2011 at 7:32pm

I simply took an angle finder, found the angle where the sides marry at the stem, set the table saw angle and made intersecting cuts.  You then have a five sided piece.  I then made my top and bottom angled cuts.  You will also want to cut the the "back" of the stem, where it faces the rower to make a 3 sided piece.  I haven't updated my page in a while but you can check out my pics...

 

JD

Permalink Reply by Duncan MacLeod on May 17, 2011 at 8:33am

I've got the same Spira boat I'm working on at the moment.  Just fit the keelson the other day, milling up chine material and stuff now.  There are few details, but you can look through some of the pics on the Spira website and infer some of the work done by others.  I've seen some nailing blocks on some designs, on others they seem to make the ply meet at the front of the stem, in which case the 2x6 seems too big (IMO).  I was just sketching out possible configurations last night, actually, and think I'm going to try nailing blocks, meaning that the ply will meet the stem with maybe a 1 1/2 inch reveal.  Still working on how to tie in the shear clamp and the inner and outer gunwhales (an alteration in the design).

Cut some pieces to play around with, blocks of material to hold up to the stem and see how it looks....and good luck!

Permalink Reply by Rick Wilson on May 17, 2011 at 12:56pm
Duncan thanks for the response. I agree I think that I am going to eliminate the 2x6 and go with the same material I used for the frames. I'll double them to make a 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" stem then add a block on the insides from the chine log to the inner gunwhale if I leave a little reveal on the outside it may actually look like it matches the rest of the framing. Either way I agree with making up a few designs and trying them for size. Sounds like we are close to the same place on our boats you'll have to check out my link to my blog on my page and let me know what you think.
Permalink Reply by Michael Rosso on March 19, 2012 at 8:06am

Rick,

What setup did you ultimately decide on?   I'm pretty much where you were a year ago on my own Spira build.   The more I look on this site and read Fletcher's book, the more I think Mr. Spira's plans, although good enough, leave a LOT to be desired.   I'm sure it's a good enough boat, but there are so many things left unexplained...

I'm fairly certain at this point that I'm going to make a 4x4 out of 3/4 clear spruce (the same as my frames, chine clamps, and keelson.   But I'd be very interested in knowing how you made out with your own project!

Thanks

Mike

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