In constructing Justine’s molds, I followed established procedure and cut the bottom of each mold in the plane of the construction baseline shown on the plans. With the baseline positioned near the barn floor, this placed the molds at a convenient working height for construction. As a first step in setting up the molds I needed to lay out the construction baseline in our barn.
I decided to make the baseline using long lengths of 1 x 2″ lumber that could be screwed to the barn floor and shimmed into position using opposing pieces of cedar shingles. My laser level was the ideal tool for positioning the baseline. The two photos below show what I did. I used about 21′ of 1 x 2 for my construction baseline as it would be needed over Justine’s entire length.
Each of Justine’s molds needs to lie perpendicular to the construction baseline. I drew a very accurate perpendicular line about midway along the baseline, using the method I was taught in my high-school plane geometry class. Then I’d used a ruler and a compass. Now, I’d need a long compass and I made one up using a small lumber off-cut fitted with trammel points. One of the trammels has a pointed end, and the other can hold a pencil. So I had an adjustable compass about 5′ long with which to draw the arcs to erect a perpendicular to the baseline.
With a straight and level baseline, and an accurate perpendicular reference line, I was ready to start fastening the molds in place. I began near the center of the boat with the mold at station 14. This mold was supported with diagonal bracing to keep it exactly vertical. All the other molds were secured in the vertical plane with battens that tied in to the mold at station 14.
The photo above was taken on September 15, 2008. I began construction of the molds in the fall of 2006. The project’s pace was slow. I was working full-time in Boston, and building Justine in Georgetown, ME, a three-hour drive away. So much of the construction work was done on long weekends, holidays, and vacations. I didn’t retire and move to Maine until 2013.