Re: [Paddlewise] Pygmy Arctic Tern

>Regarding CLC v. Pygmy, I think Pygmy's multi-chined decks are more
>attractive: by using several panels, they are able to get a deck with
>positive sheer (the curve between the stem and the stern, like a banana).
>Try holding a sheet of stiff paper in an arch, like a deck, and now try to
>bend it on the other axis at the same time.

With a curved deck you can still get a sheer line though the centreline 
won't "dip". If it does you either have the ends too high or the deck too 
low to get into the cockpit. A curved deck is made up of (usually) 4 
pieces, one on the foredeck, one each side of the cockpit and one aft deck. 
With this number of pieces it is easy to follow the sheer of the deckline. 
It should also be stronger being curved. It is simple to build as well, as 
you simply - glue, drop a piece of ply over the hull, tie it down and cut 
it back to size after the glue has set. No accurate cutting of panels needed.

>I think John Lockwood has taken the stitch and glue method farther.

In what way?

>CLC boats seem to be rather overbuilt in the deck area when I've tried 
>them - too much wood and too many mechanical fasteners,

There's no need for mechanical fasteners as the deck is gluing down on to 
the sheer clamp giving plenty of glue area to cover up any inaccuracies. 
Run a bit of glass tape along the outside join and its done.

>A big reason for extra glass around the cockpit, I think, is because the
>boats are essentially a very strong, efficient composite tube with a notch
>cut in them (like cutting a notch in a straw)- the cockpit opening
>unfortunately considerably weakens the form.

Glass round the cockpit, why? Do CLC do that? The cockpit rim stiffens that 
hole up and makes it the strongest part of the deck.

>I do find that all of the Pygmy boats are WAY too roomy, however.

Isn't that the way most Northern American boats are designed? I make sure 
my designs are for "normal" sized people. I was talking to a builder of a 
Pygmy boat this weekend and that was his complaint. He's just about 
finished one of my designs.

>If you're thinking of building a boat, get as many reviews from people of 
>a similiar size and build.

Most definitely.

Alex


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