Doing a simple external stem

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gerald
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Doing a simple external stem

Post by gerald »

There was a request that I detail how to do a simple external stem for a strip boat. This is ONE method of many. It's not the best, worst nor exactly what I'd prefer to do, but it will work. It IS relatively easy though.
This is basically what the rough ends look like.
Rough strip bow end_640x480.jpg
Rough strip bow end_640x480.jpg (31.49 KiB) Viewed 5790 times
Rough stern end_640x480.jpg
Rough stern end_640x480.jpg (27.75 KiB) Viewed 5790 times
I sand the bow and stern flat with a belt sander.
Bow end sanded flat_640x480.jpg
Bow end sanded flat_640x480.jpg (33.27 KiB) Viewed 5790 times
Stern end sanded flat_640x480.jpg
Stern end sanded flat_640x480.jpg (26.45 KiB) Viewed 5790 times
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gerald
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Re: Doing a simple external stem

Post by gerald »

Then I use a 3/4" chisel to shape out the rest of the strip channel.
Rough shaped stern_640x480.jpg
Rough shaped stern_640x480.jpg (27.01 KiB) Viewed 5788 times


Ordinarily I'd use 3, 4 or more strips but because of the way the form is shaped I'm only able to use two strips on this boat. That will be fine. All strength will come from the fillets and added fiberglass strips at another stage.
Bow strips glued_640x480.jpg
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Stern strips glued_640x480.jpg
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gerald
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Re: Doing a simple external stem

Post by gerald »

I rough shape with a belt sander then with an ROS. The final shape is by hand.
Finished bow stem_640x480.jpg
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Finished stern stem_640x480.jpg
Finished stern stem_640x480.jpg (27.66 KiB) Viewed 5787 times
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Birke
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Re: Doing a simple external stem

Post by Birke »

Here's another way......

Step 1) Make both the inner and outer stem (yes, I used an inner stem on this boat. The extra 8 ounces of weight and strength it adds allows me to use my boat as a ram to be used on tubers and inner stemless canoes. Hear that POGO??? :lol: ) In this case I have 10 pieces of 1/8 inch thick ash glued together with wood glue. Piece number 5, in the middle has no glue on one side. I put duct tape on it instead so it doesn't stick to its neighbor. Once everything dries I just give the bundle a good whack and it separates, leaving two pieces, an inner and outer stem.

Image

Step 2) Shape inner stem with whatever tools you please. I like a beltsander. Then start a strippin'

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Step 3) Use tool of choice to shape the mating surface. Like Gerald, I use a chisel on the very top, or the very botton, depending on how you look at things. I like a nice low angle block plane for the rest.

Image

Step 4) Screw on outer stem to hold it while it dries. I used silica thickened epoxy because of the desirable gap filling characteristics.

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Step 5) Remove screws, fill in holes with thickened epoxy, then once the epoxy dries, shape to taste! I used anything and everything short of a chainsaw to hog off all the extra wood.

Image

All in all, I like Gerald's method better. I used that technique on my first boat.

Image

But some may find this alternate method to their liking. So now, everyone knows two ways to skin a cat......
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Light Keeper's Kid
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Re: Doing a simple external stem

Post by Light Keeper's Kid »

:shock: WOW :shock: And a Big Thanks too both of you,I now might be ready to build a stripper :wink: Birke,you could split Rocks with that Bow and I feel for the Tubers that get in the way :lol:

Mike
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gerald
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Re: Doing a simple external stem

Post by gerald »

I was running one of the little rapids on the San Marcos when I made a mistake and ran dead into one of the huge cypress trees at about 10 mph (really!). The boat stopped--I didn't. Absolutely no damage to the boat.
There's probably 50 different ways to do a stem. Most of them are ok. You might also develop your own way or a combination of methods. Nothing wrong with that. I never quit trying new things.
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DarrellS
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Re: Doing a simple external stem

Post by DarrellS »

Ain't pretty, but it ended up looking good. As gerald said I have hit some stumps and rock hard with no damage. Do whatever it takes to make it work.

Image

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gerald
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Re: Doing a simple external stem

Post by gerald »

Here's some more just to show the variety you can/may get.

srchr16
Apr10 03.jpg
Nightwing's OI
Epoxied bow strip.jpg
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Pogo
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Re: Doing a simple external stem

Post by Pogo »

Geeze, make a mountain out of a molehill, why don't you? Unless you're aiming to ram toobers, which I 100% approve of, then why not do it the light and easy way?

Image

http://mysite.verizon.net/ngc704/merlin/Page%202.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

(Juuuust kidding, Gerald's right, there'z at least a zillion ways.....)
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DarrellS
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Re: Doing a simple external stem

Post by DarrellS »

cause where I paddle, you tend to bang off of lots of rocks. :D The heavier the better.
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Pogo
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Re: Doing a simple external stem

Post by Pogo »

DarrellS wrote:....lots of rocks. :D The heavier the better.
You and Ron, I swear. :P

In all seriousness, I still wonder about strategy. Is it better to throw a bunch of reinforced weight at a rock, or allow a light weight job to absorb impact/bounce off? As an old designer of structural steel and concrete, I know there comes a time when excess structure begins to exist only to support itself. You want the lightest built thing you can get away with to save costs, etc. (talking about professional engineering here), but you also don't want to get caught with TOO light a structure or there's liable to be an embarrassing failure.

Now in small boat construction, I'm admittedly on the ultalightweight end of the argument (and happen to own a 33-lb strip canoe that's survived a few rocky rivers exceedingly well so far). But to say 'the heavier the better'...... Really?

PS: The CR-100 is a GREAT race! Woo hoo!! Having a blast.... 8)
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DarrellS
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Re: Doing a simple external stem

Post by DarrellS »

Pogo,
As you know Ron is gone hunting for two weeks. He asked me to take care of you while he was gone. About 10 more days and I'll go back to my corner. :D

I agree with you. There comes a point where heavier is not better. My Stems are not really that heavy. 5 layers of 1/8" aspen, most of which was sanded away during shaping, but we do scrap bottom and hit alot of gravel,rocks, and stumps. In open water I would be all means build light, but not where I paddle. It would work but I believe there would be lots of maintenance needed to be done to the boat.
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Pogo
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Re: Doing a simple external stem

Post by Pogo »

DarrellS wrote:Pogo, As you know Ron is gone hunting for two weeks. He asked me to take care of you while he was gone.
Oh right, like that's any sort of excuse. I'm in Fayetteville right now, a town that hasn't seen any new action since 1873 and I'm still in there defending my BS. Ron's a wussy.

Whoops (speaking of wussies), they're rolling up the sidewalks here. Over and out..... :clap:
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Re: Doing a simple external stem

Post by bowgarguide »

Boy there goes Pogo again, I leave for a few days and he is back on the horse.
A WHUSSY hu .
Next time I catch him doing a roll I am going to stop that Yak half way threw it and sit on the bottom until he does a underwater exit. :D :D
Ron
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