Second strake no.2
I’ve established my routine around hanging strakes.
First I clamp the new board so that it hangs according to slots in molds & bulkheads and lands as near as possible to planned position on the stem.
Then I mark witness marks on a few molds amidships - this is where I stand when I offer the plank with spread epoxy.
After marking overlap area on the previous plank and underside the new plank at stem and transom area I cut bevels and gains. Going back & forth, trying the new plank several times until all sits nice & tight.
Having arrived at the final position I can now mask vicinity of the joint with masking tape. I leave 1-2 mm gap so I can form a small fillet from squeezed out glue.
If needed I pre-drill countersunk holes for bronze screws. This was the case for both 2nd strakes as flotation tank bulkhead are in the way of any clamps.
I drill only the new plank, smaller pilot holes are drilled at the phase when the plank is being glued, so I have exactly the position on the previous plank. Cordless drill and screwdriver are wrapped with plastic so I don’t smear them with epoxy.
While dry-fitting I determine where and which clamp is needed. Wooden blocks spread the load and prevent from uneven hull shape.
I then tape these blocks so I don’t have to look for them when the clock is ticking.
Blocks stay in place when the new plank is upside-down - when I prime chamfers and gains with thin epoxy prior gluing. Clamps dedicated for each position lye directly under on the jig, within hand reach.
Last step before mixing epoxy is cleaning the workshop from wood dust. I need to crawl under the boat when cleaning excess glue, having clean floor makes this work less miserable.
And then the clock starts ticking and the plank is being glued.
With both of these 2nd strakes I had problems with clamping the stem area. With epoxy acting as a soap all was floating and clamps slipped a few times leaving me with open joints and squeezed out glue.
A bit of loud cursing always helps in re-applying epoxy and setting clamps.
Both second strakes are now in place.