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Simple Hull Planking Techniques for Beginners

16. Cutting and Fitting Stealers

Figures 17, 18, &19:

Fitting a stealer is not a problem. Figure 17 shows where a stealer might be used to correct a widening gap developing in the planking operation. We will take a situation as in figure 17 with a hull with full buttocks and a gap has appeared that is at or near the full width of a plank. Proceeding along you will have pinned the lower plank temporarily to see how the work was progressing before gluing this plank into position. The next plank above is laid into position but a gap appears. DO NO FORCE A PLANK INTO POSITION let it lay naturally. With all planks securely pinned into position on ALL bulkheads cut and shape the end of the full stealer as shown in figure 18. Leave this stealer longer than required.

The end cuts of the stealer should be about 45 degrees. Place the stealer over the gap and move it forward to adequately cover the forward end of the gap, more is better than too little. With a sharp pencil trace around the stealers outline onto the planks below, remove the stealer and remove the two planks involved carefully cut away the timber not required. Sand and re-fit the cut planks to the hull ensuring they go back in the locations they came from. Carefully trim and sand the stealer if necessary, fit into place and trim to length. Mark all planks with a witness mark to ensure they fit again in exactly the same place. Remove all planks, glue and carefully fit. Job done, sit back and admire your work. Well done.

Full stealer:

Use temporary pins to hold lower plank ‘B’ to bulkheads. Top plank ‘A’ is also pinned. Shaped stealer is pinned over the top of planks ‘A’ & ‘B’. Trace around the stealer then remove the stealer and ‘A’ & ‘B’ planks. Cut outlined shape into ‘A’ & ‘B’ planks, fit to check for accuracy and glue in place.

Half stealer:

Temporarily pin plank ‘A’ to be checked into position. Pin half stealer over plank ‘A’ and trace the outline. Remove and cut outline. Refit and check for accuracy, glue into position.

A half stealer is fitted in the same manner except only one plank, the lower plank is effected not the upper plank. It is the same procedure as for a full stealer but only half the width of a normal plank.

NOTE: All stealers are to be joined over a bulkhead, half and half. See figure 17 inset

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