Hi Andre

I am not an experienced builder and had the same problems as you.

This is how I got round it.

I have a cheep hand held steam cleaner.
I first glued the stern plank in the horizontal position with super glue GEL.
I left at least a 9 inch overhang of the plank. (some of them I extended by gluing a scrap piece on the end)
Then using the steamer nozzle I slowly and carefull holding the extended end of the plank bent it into the horizontal bend.
I then put the superglue gel under the bend and let it set in position. Once dry (2 minites) I switched on the steamer and twisted the plank into its vertical position.
I again used the superglue gel to glue it into position. I left about 10 mm at the end of the plank unglued.
Finally when the glue had set I cut the excess plank off.
Then ran ordinary superglue under the unglued end and pressed this down with another scrap plank.

Even when using this method on some of the first bends I got slight spliting of the plank. However using superglue under the split pieces and holding them down with a scrap piece I got over this.

Hope this helps.
P.S. Wish I had a bottle of SA. Cold Duck before I wrote this.

Hi to All

Back in South Africa until 27 Dec before returning to Afghan again. Enjoyed looking at issues 48 to 60 and will start this week to finish off the hull. Will continue every leave to carry on building bit by bit. Makes it more enjoyable and something to look forward to.

Greetings.

Andre

Good Day

A belated merry Xmas to all and may you have a prosperous new year.

I am flying out tomorrow and will return towards the end of March.

I have finished the hull, fitted the stem, fitted the Gallery and did the portside whales. Next break will complete the whales and continue with the decking.

For those of you who have problems using masking tape ( does not stick well on the hull) I made hooks (in the shape os an "S") from paper clips to which I attached rubber bands. I place the hooks in the gun ports and attach the rubber bands to the tension that I want. It works well.

See you all next year.