The Gougeon Brothers on Boat Construction - WEST SYSTEM Epoxy

216 First Production Steps
Keel
Fairing flap
Fiberglass tape
Figure 19-10 Detail of a centerboard case construction and installation.
Laminating Sheer Clamps
Centerboard case ledge
Centerboard case
We generally build up sheer clamps from two or three
long pieces of stock in much the same way as we
laminate keels. Any sheer clamp that is over 1" (25mm)
thick should be laminated. <strong>The</strong> sheer clamps on many
monohulls curve more than their keels and have more
twist over their length, a combination which results
from the flare of the hull toward the bow and leads to
reasonable concern that the clamp might split.
Use the set-up mold frames as a form for laminating the
sheer clamps, just as described for laminating the keel.
Firmly attach temporary cleats to both sides of all the
mold frames at the sheer so that you will be able to
clamp at each station. <strong>The</strong> cleats should be strong
enough to support the weight of many clamps all along
the sheer. (Clamp weight works in your favor on a keel
lamination, but against you when clamping a sheer
Cap
Slot in keel relieved to allow
inspection as epoxy mixture
is forced in the joint.
Temporary plate to prevent epoxy mixture run-out
Splitting stresses at the
forward end of the centerboard
slot can be extreme.
Precautionary measures
such as cross-grain
lamination in the keel,
unidirectional fiberglass, or
bulkhead installation
counteract these forces.
Figure 19-11 Laminating a sheer clamp over the outside of
mold frames. No notches have yet been cut in the molds.
When it has cured, the sheer clamp is removed, dressed and
prefinished. <strong>The</strong>n it is fit to notches in the molds.