1963 Correct Craft Atom Skier

I have all of the screws out of the bottom. Should I also remove the screws from the piece of wood down the middle and on both sides? When I replace the bottom, what kind of ply wood do I use? Is there a pattern or do I use the old bottom?

NewOwner wrote: I have all of the screws out of the bottom. Should I also remove the screws from the piece of wood down the middle and on both sides? When I replace the bottom, what kind of ply wood do I use? Is there a pattern or do I use the old bottom?

Don,
Yes, the screws at the keel need to come out.

8122pbrainard wrote: Don, The keel is made up with a wide inner keel and a narrow outer keel. This forms the rabbet where the bottom ply is fastened.

As Jack mentioned, any painted surface, use 3/8" marine Douglas Fir. Marine grade ply has very controlled specs on inner ply voids. Any bright (varnished) needs the Mahogany.

Also as Jack mentioned, anything over the typical 8' ply length needs to be scarfed and epoxy glued together.

Scarf joint with a ratio of 10 to 1 to 12 to 1 thickness to scarf length.


Patterns are not available. Use your old ply for a rough pattern and then do any final trimming on the hull.

Do you have the frame braced, squared and sitting on something level? With the ply off, the frame can twist.