The Gougeon Brothers on Boat Construction - WEST SYSTEM Epoxy

318 Later Production Steps
Figure 26-1 Six bunks, a galley, and shelves bonded to the
interior of this hull skin contributed to a noticeably stiffer
structure.
Increasing the utility of the interior
Unitized interior construction can minimize the upkeep
and maintenance of the interior and allow it to be kept
clean easily. Proper assembly and use of materials
maximize usable space. If, for example, you use fillets
instead of large cleats to attach interior items to a hull,
you can eliminate some room-consuming framework.
When all surfaces are smooth and glossy, cleanup is
easier. All of these increase the usefulness of the interior.
Improving interior appearance
When you use wood for boatbuilding, you can exploit
the variety of wood grains and colors for simple but
very attractive appointments. With wood, unlike other
materials, no part of the boat must be concealed under
headliners, ceilings, or other facades, although these are
sometimes desirable for covering frames, ribs, and
stringers. Effective use of various woods and combinations
of woods can produce beautiful results with
surprisingly little additional effort. We like naturallyfinished
wood grain, but we do paint interior surfaces
when necessary for better contrast, to lighten a dark
interior, or to aid in cleanup.
Installing Interiors in Set-Ups
As we discussed in earlier chapters, portions of the
interior, including bulkheads, frames, and other structural
members, can be installed in set-ups for stringer-frame
and strip plank construction. Other interior items, such
Figure 26-2 Interior of the boat shown in Figure 26-1. Note
the teak sole with white pigment/epoxy seams.
as bunks, shelving, and counters, can also be built into
set-ups, and these too can become structural. Major
labor savings result from installing them at this stage
rather than when the boat is completed. During set-up,
you can work in an unencumbered position from the
floor with reasonably free access to all parts of the hull,
so fitting is often much easier.
One of the goals of this chapter is to identify the
options and complications that affect the choice of
methods used for interior construction. <strong>The</strong> amount of
interior that can be installed during set-up depends on
the complexity of the set-up itself. If you have many
dummy frames and supports, you may have so many
obstacles that it’s difficult to judge if you will save time
by installing the interior at this point or later. You will
obviously need a great deal of planning and ingenuity
from the beginning if you are going to install interior
items in the set-up. We suggest that you begin planning
during lofting, if not earlier.
To build interior items into a set-up, position them with
excess wood extending to or beyond the true hull
profile. Later, fair the excess in with the rest of the hull,
using a batten and hand planes as you would to fair
frames, stringers, and bulkheads. (See Chapter 18.)
Installing Interiors in Upside-Down Hulls
Work can begin on the interior and progress to a very
advanced stage while the hull is still upside down. We