Deck or Hull

[acaron41120]

When planking is it best to plank the decks or the hull first? Just wondering.

[PietFriet]

I always plank the hull first. For the kits I build I had to cut off the frames at deck level after planking the hull so you want to cover that while planking the deck. Regardless, I find that the deck generally fits poorly so any adjustments made can be covered easily, including a possible gap between hull and deck.

The only disadvantage is that the last deck planks require extra care when installing, particularly when the hull curves inwards. 

[Keithbrad80]

Generally i plank the hull first. There have been times for me when i thought planking the decks first would have been helpful but it really depends on whether you have a laser cut deck or not. I have never used a laser cut deck but putting those in before hull planking seems to be the way to go, if you are planking the deck without a laser cut template then i recommend those last. 

 

Bradley 

[Dr PR]

I like to plank the hull first.

 

Then I seal the inside with epoxy paint (or resin) to prevent cracks from appearing in the future. Also, I paint the inside of the hull black anywhere it might be visible through hatch gratings, companionways, etc. (assuming you aren't building an interior that you want to be visible).

[acaron41120]

Thanks for all your comments.

The main reason I asked is because like most of us I plank the hull before planking the deck. But in my Mayflower kit the plans, photos and instructions show planking the decks first. First time I have ever seen it done that way and was just wondering if it made things easier or not.

Phil, I like the way you did your waterways and margin planks. I'm going to have to give that a try.