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Last update,
December 7, 2009
The Cradles
Build For:
All
boat builds except for the Kit.
A cradle is provided in the Kit,
See link on left.
Construction cradle is optional.
Parts:
Plans,
EC12
Store
4'x4'
-
½” plywood or finer wood
Scrap 1/2" junk
plywood
Bondo or Fixall
Screws.
Drywall type work fine
Scrap
pieces of rug and towel
Glue
for the fabrics
30" luggage strap
(optional)
Your
choice of finishing
Tools:
Jig
saw
Sander
or sandpaper
Polyurethane
construction glue (optional)
Drill
and bits
Screwdriver
Carpenter's pencil
Razor knife
Construction Cradle
Serious and
careful builders use this type of cradle during the building time with the hull.
Besides not trashing up your nicely finished cradle below, it is easier to work
around the hull on the deck and during the installation of the deck. The skinny
sized uprights that cradle the hull are in the way for the decking process.
Moreover, there are no tall uprights to pressure the sides of the hull when you
are taking measurements in the marking the hull. The most important issue
is there will be no movement of the hull sheer during the gluing of the deck.
Yep, it has happened. All the measurement work of the day can be ruined during
the night when you have left the shop and the glue curing begins. If you are new
to this, the result could be beam widths outside the specifications...a deep
sinking feeling when discovered.
Note: Do
not store the hull or boat in this cradle, just when you are working and curing.
While you
are using the templates for the main cradle trace a simpler and smaller version
on some junky stuff lying around. Fashion it to look like this one here and
while glue was used for strength it was a rush job. Be careful of helping hands
in the shop. Vern, pitched this one into the outside junk pile when I was on the
computer.
Larry's
Cradle
The
two-sheet plans for this cradle can be ordered from EC12 Store. The plans have
full size cutouts to create the wood pieces. A four by four sheet of ½” plywood
will easily do the trick. Ash, or some finer woods are often used.
This is a
no-brainer when following the plans. Larry Robinson's instructions are thought
out and in proper order. It might be mentioned that the keel support has a 45
degree cut inward from the finished outside surface. It is fashioned from two
pieces. You need to have your head on straight to not waste wood...think about
it. It forms a “V” to hold the filling goop.
Please note that the boat is very often carried in the cradle on its side. The
low side of the cradle frame would then be up. Hence, in the unfinished cradle
pictures below, it is carried bow forward on your left side. The finished cradle
pictures show one to be carried on the right side. Just rotate the uprights to
the side you want. Nice to know before you glue it in, huh?
During the
fitting of the keel support piece make sure you understand the design of the aft
vertical. The boat is placed into the cradle by sliding the aft portion of the
keel into the aft vertical first. There is a subtle fit here that holds the keel
down in the vertical. Keep moving the boat around while checking the
separation between the support and the bottom of the keel. No trimming or
shimming was needed here. When you like what you see, mark it. If you are
building a new boat during this process, be sure to have the lead ballast in the
keel. This is essential to the fitting process.
It is okay to fret. Setting and getting the correct fit of the keel support is
critical to this cradle. Some time should be spent reading ahead and
understanding the process of fitting the support in relation to the bottom of
the boat and the molding of the polyester (Bondo or Fixall or whatever
solidifying goop used) to fit the hull. Care here will produce what you really
need in a cradle and the other features in this thoughtful design by Larry.
This is a
very functional cradle and will do a lot for you at the lake. It is a tool, as
well as being essential to the care of the hull against the forces of gravity.
However, if you want to get pretty, the finishing should be done before
assembly. The cradle here was finished after much sanding with MinWax Oak Poly
Gloss with three coats.
Construction
glue can be used by placing a bead along where the uprights and the keel support
pieces will be attached to the base with screws. Countersinking the screws is a
good idea so the heads will not mar a resting surface like a table. The glue
strengthens the bond and adds longevity.
Note: The
locking latches to secure the hull in the cradle were not installed. Instead a
30" luggage strap was obtained from a luggage store, looped around the carrying
handles, and snapped across the top of the deck. Now, the boat can be carried in
the cradle by the handles or upright by the strap. This strap is also handy at
the lake when rolling the boat from side to side in the course of sail tuning.
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