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I am wondering how much of a gap is acceptable in the joints of a S&G boat build. I have attached pictures of my build so far. Are these gaps too large? All feedback appreciated!

Thanks,
Mike

Make sure your panels are lined up properly....making fair like.

Those gaps should be fine!

_________________
Boat building can best be defined as an endless series of
tragedies obscured by the occasional miracle, followed by a good bottle of beer.

Don't Dream Your Life, Live Your Dream

Thanks. Here is my other issue, I am having problems stitching the sides to the bow. I am confident my cuts were accurate. I even went as far as taking all the stitches out, disassembling and confirming cuts to the plans and they all looked fine. But for some reason as I stitch toward the bow, the sides start to distort and I am not getting a tight fit (see photos). Any ideas what might be causing this? Any ideas of how to correct? Should I just "muscle" these seems together and glue'em up?

Thanks,
Mike

I have built a 16.5ft stitch and glue kayak. Gaps are OK as long as you can fillet and tape them. For your problem with distorted sides, a temporary brace to hold everything in place may work.

Here is an example of one of my temporary braces just to hold everything where it should be. In my case, I have the sheer clamp in place and that works to hold the temporary brace. I'm not sure you have that option.

_________________
2011 MALAHINI - KICKED IN THE HEAD

I wake up with a 16ft woody every morning
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=534DBtp1Cnc
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/2011malahini/

Thank you. I will try the brace. I did dry fit the thwarts and noticed that the shape did look better. Will give it a try and let you know how it goes. Thanks again"

Mike

One thing I forgot to mention is to just be sure you measure the beam before you add the brace. Then you can start filleting and adding glass tape before you remove the brace...at least that is what I was able to do on my kayak. That way, your shape stays the same.

_________________
2011 MALAHINI - KICKED IN THE HEAD

I wake up with a 16ft woody every morning
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=534DBtp1Cnc
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/2011malahini/