The Gougeon Brothers on Boat Construction - WEST SYSTEM Epoxy

Chapter 6 – Before You Build 49
Modifying Plans
for WEST SYSTEM Materials
We are often asked if our construction methods can be
used to build traditional boats. <strong>The</strong>y can, but you must
make some changes. Most available plans for traditional
small craft were drawn many years before the development
of modern resins. <strong>The</strong>y rely on traditional building
techniques: a typical design might indicate carvel planking
over closely-spaced ribs, a large rabbeted keel and
stem, and copper nails or bronze screws. This sort of
construction is not compatible with our methods and,
unfortunately, any attempt to blend old and new will
probably result in an unsuccessful hybrid.
<strong>The</strong> solution is to maintain all of the traditional lines,
but to alter the scantlings so that one of the building
methods described in this book may be used. We recommend
that this, like any other changes in scantlings, be
done under the supervision of an experienced designer.
Good plans for modern hull designs are readily available,
but their construction often calls for building
materials such as fiberglass, steel, and ferrocement.
When designers choose these materials, it’s frequently
because they have little knowledge of or preference for
wood. It follows, then, that they may not be able to
help you very much if you want to convert their plans
to wood and WEST SYSTEM epoxy. We suggest that you
Figure 6-3 Popular and competitively raced worldwide, the DN
class iceboat is a good project for beginners.
continue your search for a design if you find yourself
contemplating major changes in materials.
Many excellent boat designers are familiar with our
construction methods and offer plans for wood/epoxy
hulls. We will be happy to refer you to the professionals
who might be best able to advise you about the particular
boat you wish to build.