Easy Lofting Tips for Successful Boatbuilding
By Morten Olesen
Did you ever trace cartoons onto a sheet of notebook paper when you were a child? Have you ever seen a shape in a magazine you copied? Without really being able to draw, you transferred these images onto another surface and it looked pretty good, didn't it? The same principle applies to the lofting phase of building from boat plans.
While lofting is seemingly the step most novice boat builders get anxious about, it really isn't difficult to do. It may take a good deal of time and concentration, but lofting boat plans isn't anything fretful.
Its possible to find full-size boat plans, but they are normally very expensive (with good reason!) and carry an additional shipping charge. Since you'll soon find that lofting is nothing to fear, sticking with standard-size boat plans is the best way to go.
Lofting Defined
Just to be clear, the practice of lofting a boat consists of transferring the dimensions of the parts to build the boat from standard-sized drawings (on 8.5" x 11" (A4) paper) onto the actual full-size plywood part you'll use to build your boat. The dimensions are clearly given in the boat plans. All you have to do is use a straight edge and ruler to mark your plywood before you begin to build.
Supplies Needed for Lofting
Aside from the plywood, it really takes very few supplies and tools to loft. You'll need a pencil, measuring tape, lumber fillet and carpenter's square. If you dont have a carpenters square its very easy to make one yourself.
Start Smart
The best way to begin is by drawing a grid on your plywood in 12" increments. Getting these lines straight is a crucial first step that will ensure the rest of your lofting process goes smoothly. While any straight edge will do, using a steel carpenter's square is one of the easiest and most accurate methods for creating your grid.
After that, simply transfer the dimensions from the drawing onto the plywood. Its important that you keep track of the measurements and dont mix them up. Its also advisable to have some system where you cross out dimensions from the drawing each time you transfer a new measurement to the plywood. That way, if you get distracted, you won't lose your place in the middle of lofting a part.
Downloadable boat plans come in handy during this phase because you can print a new, clean drawing if your existing one gets too crowded with scribbling. Youll also be able to print new boat plans if the ones you are using get damaged or torn.
Creating Shapes and Contours
Now you can make the shape of the part you are lofting. After you have made the contour you should step back and look at your work from a distance. Compare the drawing with the plywood to make sure the full-size part you have lofted looks the same and is proportionate to the scaled part on the drawing. If it doesn't, double check your measurements and make corrections as necessary. Again, when you have downloadable boat plans you can print a new drawing to use when checking measurements.
When youre sure the full-size part on the plywood has the same contour as the scaled part on the drawing, youre ready to cut out the plywood. Now you have the first part for building your new boat. Continue with the rest of the plywood parts and youll soon be ready to assemble all the pieces.
As you can see, lofting may require a little concentration and time, but it isn't as difficult as many make it out to be. Once you get the hang of the process, you'll be able to make quick progress and be that much closer to sailing off into the sunset.
About the Author: Morten Olesen is a master boat builder and Naval Architect. Visit Morten's site http://www.boatplans.dk to get his exclusive line of boat plans which includes 3-D computer models and a free Boat Builder Master Course with complete lofting instructions. 2007, All Rights Reserved
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