# Scarf Joints

**URL:** <https://forum.clcboats.com/t/scarf-joints/44554>\
**Category:** Builder's Forum\
**Created:** [August 28, 2016, 6:14pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/scarf-joints/44554 "2016-08-28T18:14:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Terrence\_Obrien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/838e76/32.png) [@Terrence\_Obrien](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Terrence_Obrien)\
**Post date:** [August 28, 2016, 6:14pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/scarf-joints/44554/1 "2016-08-28T18:14:46Z")

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Is the scarf joint done on the plywood before cutting to dimension, or after?

In one case that would reslt in a 16' length that is then cut to dimension.

In the other case, it would result in two cut pieces being lined up and joined after cutting.

Is one better? Considerations?

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**Author:** ![M\_Craghan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@M\_Craghan](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/M_Craghan)\
**Post date:** [August 28, 2016, 9:08pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/scarf-joints/44554/2 "2016-08-28T21:08:25Z")

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You are working from plans? Yes? Not a kit.

Join the full length, then draw your shapes and cut them out.

You have the chance of misaligning your pieces, or having them slip, if you epoxy glue a scarf after you cut the pieces. In addition you don't have to remember that there is a loss of dimension at the scarf overlap.

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**Author:** ![Chad\_Mcneely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecae2f/32.png) [@Chad\_Mcneely](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Chad_Mcneely)\
**Post date:** [August 28, 2016, 10:27pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/scarf-joints/44554/3 "2016-08-28T22:27:50Z")

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&nbsp; &nbsp;...agree, with the caveat that pre-scarfing pieces that are pretty close to your final shape can save a lot of material. Doing this saved a full sheet of ply on each of the CH17's we built, for instance (I also built pattern/templates first, so gluing odd shapes over the templates was just a matter of making sure the pieces fully overlapped/covered the template).

Your choice where you want to go on the risk-reward spectrum.