Whoopee!
Finally got another delivery. Issues 6,7,8,9.
Three months since I first put my order in online, I get beyond issue 5.

Thanks again Alan. I have already done a bit. Pix soon.

The ship's "launch" now framed up.

Slightly disappointd at the small scale of it. Only 2/3 the size of the launch described for the original boat. There is a discussion of this on the "discussions" board.

Fiddly job. Not made any easier by the slots in the base jig being much too wide by about 1/2mm, so everything is a sloppy fit.

The first part, no. 2, the stem post, just falls over if glued in on it's own.

I made up the first rib with the bracing pieces (3), then fitted it when fully dry, together with the stem-post. Then leave well alone until dried out. Every rib fitting risks disturbing the set of previous ones, so I just did two at a time, leaving to set firm before touching the assembly again. Lots of glue put over the joints after fitting, to fill up the over-wide slots.

Then more mis-fits. The transom support (14) would not butt up to the last rib, so it's baseboard slot needed cutting out by 1mm toward the stem.
Cutting out the transom slot to get the right angle was not possible with the needle files I have, so I started by paring with a craft knife, then finishing with an emery board. The slot is then too wide for a good glue join, so the outer edges have to be well-glued to the baseboard, then brush glue into the slot to fill it.

No mention in the instructions, or the build diary, about NOT completely glueing the transom to the support piece (14) - this part, like the bow formers (3) is not part of the finished launch, so it should fall away when the planked launch is cut from the jig. Glueing it to the transom, above the marked line on piece 15, could cause problems later, so the top 3mm should not be glued.

Looking forward to planking this. Not in the mag instructions so far but I can see what to do on the build diary and there are enough planks already supplied (I think) to finish the job.

Next, planking the launch.

I really thought that these thin planks would just bend to the curve easily. No mention of plank-bending techniques in the instructions.

No way. Three attempts and the planks breaks at the bow.

So, give them a curve. This worked just with cold water - though I will bet that the main boat planks will need hot. Just dipped the end in a glass of water for 10 minutes, then take out and rub a curve into the plank with my thumbnail against the bench, then put back in the water again. Use the same technique as rubbing a curve into ribbon for wrapping Xmas presents.

Next, take the plank out after another 10 minutes and rub a bit more curve into it, then pin around a wine-cork. Leave to dry out overnight.

Photo shows my first failed attempt on the launch, a plank on the cork and the finished dried product.

Thanks, Rob.
That is what I was trying to do - but I haven't attempted a twist as well!

I suspect that the thicker planks for hull layer number one will need a bit more persuasion as it is done in bamboo. Maybe the second finish layer will be easier though?

It's all good fun though

Thanks Martyn.
3 1/2 weeks until my next delivery, so plenty of time to get the dinghy planking right.
The main hull planks may be harder to work with but at least they will be a bit bigger. This will be good practice.

Cheers Alan. I have read so much on here about the bamboo. Some people have found lots of nodes in the planks, others say they are not flat but have a curve on one face, and so on. We will see!
At the end of the day, it gets sanded down and covered up, so I'm not worrying too much at this early stage.

Thanks Mike.
I'm looking forward to getting the lower deck next month, when I will glue everything together.
I got some gel superglue for the launch planking yesterday as the liquid stuff just runs all over the place.

Thanks Ian.