Study Plans - Schionning Designs

10CONSTRUCTION OVERVIEWTHE KITThe Wilderness “kit” consists of 2400 x 1200mm sheets of balsa or foam DuFlex which aresupplied with factory cut scarf joins whichcreate a full strength flush join, no tapingrequired. Once joined (in sheet form) and set,the holding tags keeping the cutout pieces insheet form are cut to release full length panelsand bulkheads.THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESSThe hull shoe parts of the DuFlex andtemporary bulkheads are stood on thestrong-back and the full length shoe panels arefitted over these bulkheads and glued inposition. With this method a hull shoe can becreated in a matter of days. The shoe is thensheathed with full width fiberglass cloth whicheliminates the need for tapes on the joins andgives smooth unbroken surfaces easily fairedwith sanding machines. Copper epoxy typeanti-fouling is applied at this convenient stageand the shoe being small and light is turned byhand. Once the two shoes are complete theyare leveled diagonally and fore-aft then the topparts of the individual and full width Bulkheadsare attached followed by the rest of the precuthull panels. The bridge deck floor follows thisstep. It is precut and has its undersidestiffeners and all associated fairing and sandingcompleted right way up before being flipped,slid under the bulkheads and glued in place.Unlike a lot of “multi-chine” designs, theWilderness have a small section of stripplanking on the hull/deck curve, this roll overgives great advantages in stiffening, softeningthe appearance, seriously reducing windageand quickly shedding green water. Stripplanking has received some very biased andinaccurate press recently, most of our amateurbuilders report it being an enjoyable andunexpectedly simple process. The strip plankeddecks are done on the boat using thebulkheads and a couple of added temporarymoulds. Taping of the internal panel andbulkhead joins would commence at this openshell stage, taping time and effort can begreatly reduced with the use of a ‘Wombat Jnr’wet out machine, (an option available with thekit) the time saved more than pays for themachine. At the same time, away from theshell you could be making your strip plankedcabin roof, forward beam, dagger-boards andcases, rudders and targa bar (if applicable).Once taping of the internal structural joins isfinished and the shell is still open the precutfurniture and cockpit components can beassembled and installed. If desired the largeouter hull panels can be left off which makeseasier access to engine rooms, locker areas andeasier access from the shed into the boat. Therest of the decks are installed, followed by thecabin roof, then the precut cabin front and sidepanels. The Cabin roof moulds are suppliedpre-cut in some of the Kits (or full size paperplots in plans) and this and the forward beamare the only other strip planked parts of theboat.Easy to follow sheets on composite fittings aresupplied in the plans; these save money andgive the finished product a very classy, modernlook. Composite chainplates are extremelystrong, look good (integrated & painted) easyD.I.Y. and no leaks which are inevitable withbolt-ons!FURNITUREThe furniture fit-out is made easy with the stiff,light and easy to work with Phenolic paperhoneycomb panels. Tips are included in theplans on how to form complex attractive curvesquite easily. Precut furniture gives significanttime savings in labour and planning to bothamateur and professionals alike, faroutweighing the cutting costs which are passedon directly from the manufacturer withoutmark-up. Most of the furniture can bepre-assembled on the workshop floor and theninstalled in the boat – an easy way to work!