Building the TotalBoat Sport Dory: Episode 13 – The Transom

Welcome back to Lou’s boat shop and to Episode 13 of Building the TotalBoat Sport Dory. Lou is working on the transom, slowly and precisely adjusting the fit and bevel of the sides and bottom of the wood to fit the false bottom.  Using his electric and block planers, he moves slowly to get the angle right without removing too much material. Lou knows he can fine tune the angles later, unless he takes off too much material – then he’s in trouble. The transom is built from a single piece of mostly quarter sawn lumber. As such, the transom will be strong enough to accept fastening of the planking on both sides. 

With the transom roughed to shape Lou needs to transfer the measurements already on the mold onto the transom so he can draw a center line. With this center line he can then use his Dory drawings to measure out and mark several stations on both sides that represent where he is to cut and bevel to.  After quickly cutting the transom to its new lines at 90 degrees Lou takes it back over and mounts it to his bottom and mold. Once in position he can electric plane the two sides down to bevel to accept the planking.

Catch up with the whole series by watching here!

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