Hello all
We’re working on getting the Carlin and cockpit side panel subassembly for the Rhode Runner together. We’re struggling to align the top surfaces, but see a perhaps a way to do it is simply assemble them in the boat, not separate and then put into the boat as the instructions suggest.
Anyone have any tips on this step?
everything on the project has gone relatively smoothly something with this one is somehow difficult to figure out
thanks!
a
I think the reason no one has responded yet to your question, is that we don’t understand what the problem is. The carlins are attached to the cockpit side panels before they are installed in the boat. That way, the tops are aligned easily on the flat, on the bench.
Hi Harvey thanks for replying, very good point about clarity.
the issue I have and try to show in the attached picture is that the Carlin is flat and the cockpit side is not. I understand your point with flat on the bench, but as far as I can figure out one is flat and one isn’t. But maybe I’m just crazy somewhere 
. Any thought?
The carlin is straight, the cockpit top is curved. You just need to torture the carlin into the shape of the cockpit top edge. As with everything in the build, lots of clamps will be your friend.
When you get to installing the assembly, you’ll find that the tightest curve will be in the carlin forward of the dashboard. I used wedges to hold the carlin into the bulkhead notches.
Make sense?
Yup, super clear what you did.
my brain still can’t work out how to actually do it, but I’ll give it another though next weekend.
thanks!
Btw, the pictures you have are fantastic, I’m sure your final look was great. I am also planning an off white for the interior.
you didn’t by some chance do a blog or so with more or your pictures?
I didn’t do a blog or engage with social media, but I’m happy to show more pictures and answer questions here. I’ll try to figure out how to put the build pics in a public gallery.
This was my first boat build, and one of the most valuable pieces of advice was in a chapter of the book written by Sam Devlin, on stitch-and-glue construction. It was about managing expectations of perfection, and how that is just not attainable. I could have spent 9 years instead of 9 months trying to get closer, but it would still not make it. So instead, my goal was a 20 foot finish.
Here’s a pic of the almost finished boat. I did the cushions this winter, and like the rest of the boat, it looks really great from 20 feet away!
That looks AMAZING.
So beautiful and stylish. Congratulations on a fantastic build. The seat cushions really top it off and match the style perfectly. I’m just starting my Rhode Runner now, and like you have never built a boat before. The photos and words of wisdom from you and Jeff Richards have been an inspiration.
Wonderful, you are perfect. I will try this weekend - will let you know how successful it is 
Harvey,
We got the carlins assembled now. Just needed to bend a little more than I wanted.
But looking good
Thanks again
Whatta ya mean “bend more than you wanted”?
It took quite a while to get the Carlin aligned with the cockpit side with the bend. All good in the end
