Greg O’Neil
Church Mouse.
In the first installment of this series on building the Church Mouse Skiff (see WB No. 310), we made the construction jig, set up the stem and transom, planked the hull, and removed the boat from the jig. In this, the second and final installment, we complete the hull and build the rig.—Eds.
Scarlett Stevens/Arlington Career Center
1. Marking and cutting the sheerline.
Marking and Cutting the Sheerline
1. The side panels were purposely left a little oversized. Now is the time to trim the sheer to the marks made on the inside of the planking in Part 1 (Step 2). To do this, drill small holes (⅛″ or so) from the inside of the planking through the sides at these points. This transfers the sheer marks to the outside of the boat. Clamp a batten through those points, and through the sheer marks at the bow and stern. Check that the curves are fair on each side of the boat, and that they land at the same stem and transom heights.
When you are happy with the marked sheer curves, cut them with the saw of your choice (we used a Japanese pull saw) as close to the line as you dare, and plane down to it.