Keel first before planking?

[Pierre Greborio]

Hello, I have seen many videos about first layer planking, and contrary to most kit instructions, the best results from videos suggest installing the keel, then first layer of planking. What is your take?

 

Best,

Pierre

[Paul White]

I'm only a rank beginner at this, but I think the keel always comes first. 

[palmerit]

I think it depends on the model. Vanguard Models have two layers of planking and two layers of the keel. The first keel is added, then the first layer of planking, then the second layer of the keel. The second layer of the keel means that you don’t need to chisel a rabbet. Then the second layer of planking. 

[JerryTodd]

You can't put skin on a critter that has no bones!

Most kits are "plank-on-bulkhead" construction.  They consist of an inner form or strong-back, sometimes called an inner keel, or false-keel, but is probably best called the keel-son.

The forms, probably called frames in the kit's instructions, notch into the keel-son to make the skeleton of the model.

Kits generally use two layers of planking to use thin veneers that are easier for the average modeler to work with, and a cheap way for the manufacturer to provide pretty wood that's usually a pain to work otherwise.

The first layer is often basswood/lime which modelers often apply willy-nilly because "no one will see it" and the outer layer of some junk wood that happens to finish pretty and is also applied willy-nilly because the kit's instructions don't tell how a boat's really planked because they don't know themselves (judging by the photos of the one they built)

Anyway, A house has to have a framework before it gets sheathing, siding, roofing, etc, so build the frame first!

Look at the build logs here on MSW and you'll see the process, as well as some extra work people often put in to make sure the framework is sound before starting the planking.