Stem Molds All Set Up

Only had a few hours available this arvo, so got stuck in and worked on setting up both stem molds. Whilst I was getting started, I checked the level of the strongback again and was dismayed to find the whole assembly a bit unstable. I puzzled over it for a bit until I noticed slight movement at the points where the strongback legs attach to the feet. Looking closer, I was shocked to discover they were all a bit loose. I could have sworn I'd tightened them up, but obviously, I musn't have. I can assure you they're bloody tight now. I got a little carried away though, and sheared one of the bolts off completely. Anyway, it's all nice and steady now. Still very slightly out of level crosswise here & there but not so much that it'll be a problem (I hope).

I then proceeded to make 10, 000, 000 trips back and forward between the shed & strongback, carting all the bits and pieces as I needed them. Then fussed and obssessed over the bow stem mold.

All Done. Bloody good job too, if I do say so myslf. Seems pretty straight & level, WL3's are all exactly 200mm above the surface of the strongback (surprisingly). The only bit that didn't go perfectly to plan is a very slight twist in the stem mold, meaning that WL3 on station 1 for the side facing the camera in the below photo, is about 1 mm or so out (if that makes sense). But I'm not too worried, I've got a cunning plan to rectify it.

After that, it was on to the stern stem mold. Had to chop quite a bit off the cleat for station 16, but it all went on ok. It's also come up pretty well straight & level (agan, WL3's exactly 200mm above the surface). Same slight twist in this stem mold too.

Looking forward to getting a big day in on the project tomorrow. I hope to get all of the intermediate molds set up, ready for the inner permanent stems (prior to planking).

Can't wait until I've got something that actually looks kind of canoeish.