Here, I am laying out the planks to make sure they line up on the new bottom.
What’s different about the Gage-Hacker bottom is the planks run at an angle from the center to the sides versus most boats which run the length from front to back.
I have to make sure the driveshaft holes and bottom intakes all line up with the planks. WOW, look at all those screw holes.
I use pieces of tape on the keel line for the main rib structure to designate where a longer screw is used because the intermediate battens use smaller screws. It’s really easy to lose track where you’re at with all these holes. So, this little trick does help a lot.
Next, I start bending in the planks.
After the bed and planks are on and screwed down good and tight, I apply the membrane which is made by 3M Products and called 5200. It makes the boat about 90% to 95% watertight. So, the next thing seems kind of crazy.
Yeah, that’s right, I wet it down. This actually helps to cure the 5200 faster and also helps make the planks bind together more.
After a good soaking, I cover with plastic to hold in the moisture. I keep it wet for about two or three days then uncover.
Jack