Building the Sonatina
The Sonatina is built from 6 sheets of 5 mm best quality marine plywood over six frames mounted onto a jig to achieve the exact designed shape.The bottom panels are affixed using drywall screws to convert the flat sheets to a compound curved shape. When the glue hardens, the screws are backed out, and replaced with thickened epoxy resin, creating permanent rust free fasteners. The finished shell is covered with epoxy glass fiber, and all surfaces saturated with resin. This makes for a strong, light and durable structure.
The deck beams and plywood follow, and the compound curve foredeck attached with clamps to minimize visible fastenings. Then sanding and finishing brings out the beauty of the Okoume plywood. Fitting out the hull, rigging the spars, and setting the sails complete the project, and you are ready to fly from wave to wave!
Sonatina framing set up on jig, and stringers added.
Scarfing - setting up, with planing guide
Sonatina: Epoxy-glassing the bottom. Note the compound curve in the bottom
panels
Sonatina: Removed from jig, and centerboard case added
Sonatina: Forward spine built in and forestay tang installed. Holes are cut in for circulation and lightening
Sonatina: Deck beams installed
Sonatina: installation of foredeck with screwed-in tabs and clamping
along gunwale. The completed deck will show no fastenings!
Sonatina Coming out into the sunlight for the fist time - she fits
through a regular door