An introduction to basic model HULL building techniques used by group members.

 1. Plank on frame is as it suggests the careful fittings of individual planks to a framed skeleton, the results can be staggeringly beautiful or a complete mess. it all depends on the builder's skill and patience.

 2. Carved from solid wood. this still needs care in the woodwork but is less time consuming then 1. The boat will be heavy and float low in the water. Large hulls will need several blocks to be bonded together.

 3. Carved from solid wood and then internally hollowed. This will create a hull that is much lighter and which will    float higher on the water. Much care needed in the carving.

 4. "Bread and butter" methods can be used wherein the hull profiles are roughly jig sawed out prior to glueing them together. this can be done by either horizontal slicing or vertical slicing. Much time can be saved in the hollowing out process.

 5. brown wrapping paper hulls can be formed over a suitable mould made of plaster or even over wooden frames. several sheets are individually laid on and varnished until a strong/tough skin is formed. The process is relatively quick and cheap.

 6. Plastic card, ply wood, cardboard or any other materials can be used as long as seams are water tight and the material is stiff enough and waterproofed. Hulls can be made as chine shapes or carvel shapes.
  Chine hulls are simply those that have a series of flat sides joined together and which are reinforced internally. butting the panels together accurately can be challenging.
  Carvel hulls are those that have one continuous surface with no sharp corners. These need some kind of mould upon which to lay the soft materials until hardening has taken place.

 7. Polystyrene hulls can be cut from large sheets, obtained from builders yards, easily.
   They can be shaped in less then one hour and are unsinkable. Catamarans and trimarans up to about three feet in length have been successfully made using this method.

 8. Fibreglass hulls offer the ultimate strength/weight ratio. Usually a basic shape called a "plug" is very carefully made using a core of any suitable material such as polystyrene skimmed with plaster or wood and plaster.
   A fibreglass copy of this shape is then taken. this is classed as the "female" shape as the mould will be smooth on the inside.
   A further copy is then taken from this female mould to produce a "male" shape as required.
This method allows many identical copies to be taken from this female mould.