Given that strip planking will go on for some time, I decided to show the process in some detail. The first picture below shows the previous strip in place ready for the next to be fixed.
I am using West System epoxy and they advise a two-step bonding process. First, the surfaces to be bonded are coated (wetted-out) with the resin / hardener mix. This prevents the resin next applied from being sucked into the wood. You can just see the coated surface below. The bottom surface strip being added is also wetted-out.
Next I mix filler into the resin mix to give it some substance to fill and bridge gaps between the strips. I am using West System Microfibres in this case. I have found disposable icing bags ideal for getting the resin to where I want it.
Squirt a line of the thickened epoxy into the slot in the strip plank and then brush to make sure all the surface is coated.
The new strip is added and lightly clamped.
The strip is then fastened to the stem, bulkheads and transom with screws and grip-fast nails. It is essential that the strips are held closely to the bulkheads to give the right shape to the hull.
And below, quality review being undertaken by another of my crew.
