# chs 17 ft deck cutout 

**URL:** <https://forum.clcboats.com/t/chs-17-ft-deck-cutout/36642>\
**Category:** Builder's Forum\
**Created:** [April 4, 2010, 12:48pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/chs-17-ft-deck-cutout/36642 "2010-04-04T12:48:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Peter\_Baxter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9adbd/32.png) [@Peter\_Baxter](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Peter_Baxter)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2010, 12:48pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/chs-17-ft-deck-cutout/36642/1 "2010-04-04T12:48:07Z")

</div>

I have competed the hull&nbsp; and installed the deck beams and the&nbsp; next step is cutting out the fore and aft decks. I understand putting the sheet of ply down and scribing around it and cutting the deck out leaving a margin to be trimmed off after fastening it down. Do I cut out the cockpit shape at this time or after the nailing and glue down?

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I am a new member and a first time builder. and&nbsp;I give thanks all&nbsp;to&nbsp;past and future forum &nbsp;contributors,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Pete.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Lee\_Edmonds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9fc348/32.png) [@Lee\_Edmonds](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Lee_Edmonds)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2010, 5:02pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/chs-17-ft-deck-cutout/36642/2 "2010-04-04T17:02:20Z")

</div>

Cut the cockpit coaming out before attaching the deck, but cut it an inch or two smaller than the opening.&nbsp; That gives you some wiggle room when positioning the deck.&nbsp; The opening makes it easier to add the butt block under each side where the fore and aft decks join.&nbsp; Also, the two decks have different cambers and would interfer with each other in the middle without the opening being cut out.&nbsp; Make sure you have plenty of time for this step (a few more hands might help, too) and make a dry run or two to check out what needs to be done.&nbsp; It's an important step with a very visible end result.

Good luck.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jim\_Cornelius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@Jim\_Cornelius](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Jim_Cornelius)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2010, 3:32pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/chs-17-ft-deck-cutout/36642/3 "2010-04-06T15:32:28Z")

</div>

Pete --

ootdb is right, on all counts.