How Do I Put On A Last Plank Without Leaving Nail Marks?

[Jackson7]

I'm working on the Corel HMS Greyhound. It's also my first real build.

 

At this point, I have done every plank except the two between the garboard and the rest of my work. I've attached pictures below.

 

How do I get the last two on without leaving unsightly nail marks?

 

Is it about making them perfect beforehand? Just using nails and covering up the evidence? Or is there some other way?

 

I have a few theories of my own, but it would be far from wise to take this final leap without expert advice. Thank you all!

 

 

[palmerit]

I’ve found that clamps like these can use useful..

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004SBCO?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

[Fritzlindsay]

Have you studied the articles in the data base here at MSW and watched the on line videos on planking by Chuck Passaro?   You will see that if you pre-taper and pre-shape the planks then there is no need for nails or clamps. 

Fritz

Edited Thursday at 11:09 AM by Fritzlindsay

[Jackson7]

Thanks, the videos answered my problem. A bunch of the links on planking on the database are defective.

[Jackson7]

19 hours ago, palmerit said:

I’ve found that clamps like these can use useful..

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004SBCO?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Thanks! That sounds very helpful too.

[No Idea]

The last plank I have found takes the longest to trim but is the easiest to fit.  The very last plank I always trim to be an interference fit so that it is tight to get in place.  This just takes time and patience and because it's a tight fit I usually use a very small hammer with plastic ends to get it into place.  I've never used clamps on the last plank