How big is too BIG?

I know there should be an ever-so-slight gap between frames and chine log. What is the biggest gap that is acceptable between frames and chine log? The last boat I built had a fairly large (1/8") gap, and it looking like this boat may have a similar size, if not a bit bigger.

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Permalink Reply by Lawrence E. Long on February 5, 2013 at 3:30pm

Ben:  I ran across this someplace.  Furniture makers work to the nearest 1/64 ", carpenters work to the nearest 1/8" and boatbuilders work to the nearest boat.  While it is nice to get a good fit less than  1/16"  we are not putting a space shuttle together- do the best you can with chisel and sandpaper, call it good and make up the difference with epoxy putty and call it good.  The old time boatbulders of Swampscott dories here on the coast of Maine did not get all worked up over a fit that was not quite on the mark.  I must admit many of the fits were really on the mark- but they all floated.  You might have some frames/logs off a little bit and then some others exactly right.  Don't sweat it.  Just one mans opinion- others will have more advice.

Good Luck

Permalink Reply by Ben Kittell on February 5, 2013 at 4:17pm
Will it effect the structural integrity of the boat to have up to a 1/4" gap? I don't really understand the reason for keeping the frames and log separate... Seems like I could fill the gap with epoxy, but then it would be attached. Maybe use the 5200 so there would be flex and give. Then I could paint over it...
Permalink Reply by Dave Z on February 6, 2013 at 4:01pm

Run it as is.  After a dozen trips that little gap will crust over with mud, sand and other stuff, you'll never notice it isn't perfect. 

Strive for perfection, but if you don't get it, it's not failure. One of my current boats has ten frames (16x48 9 full frames and a half frame under the deck) and 19 of 20 chine notches were tight.  Really good fit.  that last dirty little notch came out with a huge gap and guess what....it was the last notch I cut on the whole set of frames.  You'd think I had plenty of practice.  Maybe I had gotten lazy. Oh wait, there were IPAs involved.  But alas, she's fine and filled with grit, sand and mud, no one notices.

Permalink Reply by Ben Kittell on February 6, 2013 at 7:37pm
I figured, I was more worried about potential structural issues. I don't think it would cause a big problem since there should be a small gap anyways.

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