JEM Watercraft

Been reading about scarf joints and would like to attempt that method on my next build. I understand the technque, but I am not sure hwo much it will affect the length. The easiest way for me not to screw this up would be to scarf two complete sheets of ply together before lofting. Any thoughts?

TARHEEL wrote:Been reading about scarf joints and would like to attempt that method on my next build. I understand the technque, but I am not sure hwo much it will affect the length. The easiest way for me not to screw this up would be to scarf two complete sheets of ply together before lofting. Any thoughts?

Scarfing 2 sheets and then cutting the panels would be the most effective. However, you'd have to take some steps to get it to work out:

1) Draw and cut out the current panels and then splice together with current method.
2) Scarf the complete sheets of ply
3) Use the panels you assembled as patterns to trace onto your long, 16' plywood sheet

Or I could draw the panels out to fit on a 4x16' sheet but there would be a charge involved. Contact me via email or PM about that cost.

Word of caution: Because the panels arch and curve, you'll end up with more scrap because the panels won't nest out as close together as the current method. So you could end up needing 2 extra sheets of ply and have a lot of scrap left over.

Thanks. Tell me if I'm way off here, but what would you recommend on how far in inches to go in? I mean on a 1/4" sheet would I go in 2", 3", 4" and angle back to the edge to zero?

Rule of thumb I've always heard for thin ply was 12:1 (or maybe that's 1:12).

Sure 1/4" x 12 = 3"