How do I build Half Hulls? The process starts with a visit to the yacht, if possible ashore, to take numerous measurements and photographs. Although there is much useful information available on-line, it isn't always in enough detail or specific to the actual yacht that is to be modelled. The data and images are then drawn in lines fairing software in order to produce a set of lines for the yacht. It isn't as simple as asking the designer for drawings, almost all designers are very secretive about the finer details of their work and don't give up drawings easily. My drawings are then printed at full (model) size. This process completes the lofting and enables the structure to be built up directly on top of the drawings, ensuring accuracy. Balsa timbers are steamed and then pinned in position on the elevation drawing. These describe the keel or rocker line and also the shear on the centre line. Once these are dry, the printed body plan is cut out to enable the sections to be cut from sheet balsa and glued to the keel & deck beam. Next, a flat deck is cut out of sheet balsa and glued to the deck beam and sections. This shows the shear - any deck camber is taken into account later.
The sections are then faired however this is usually minimal as fairing was completed by the software to save time here. The hull is then planked in balsa, starting parallel to the shear down to about the waterline and then from the keel up to the existing planking. Once the glue has dried, the planking is faired but once again, this is minimal. A coat of epoxy resin is now applied both inside and outside. This is to strengthen, stabilise & preserve the balsa.
This surface is now faired to remove evidence of a planked construction and prepared for final painting. The coach roof, coamings and any deck details are now added and faired.
The keel and rudder are built separately and then added at this stage. The keel is faired into the hull in a faithful manner, showing leading and trailing edge root extensions as well as any skeg that may feature ahead of the rudder. Models are finished off with sprayed paint and any names or graphics reproduced on water slide transfers. Finally the model is mounted on the chosen board.
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