The "dreaded" covering boards.

After two years living in Europe, finishing a Riva project over there, it is the time to complete the barrelback project here at home. The bottom and hull sides was finished before I tucked the project away. And the next thing to do was the dreaded covering boards. On the barrel backs this is a 16/4 (4" / 100 mm) thick mahogany, and the cost of the 16/4" x 16" wide x 16' long mahogany log was over a $1000 alone. Better keep your tongue straight, measure twice and cut once...

Using the old covering boards as rough templates to rough cut the blanks from the mahogany log. Must assure that there is plenty of extra material, since the shape of the new hull is not 100% identical from the way it was. 

With the pieces rough cut out with a jigsaw and a long blade, the finish cut is made on the bandsaw with a 3/4" 4 TPI saw blade. These are heavy pieces to handle, an extra pair of hands are recommended. 

With the boards cut to size, comes the job to fair the inside edge of the two opposite boards. This way the deck planking will line up perfectly later. The outside edge you trim to size once they are mounted on the hull to make a perfect match to the hull shape.

The covering boards are hand planed to make a nice, even fit onto the sheerline of the boat.

Finally, the but joints are cut repeatedly with a "Japan" saw to make tight joints.

With the covering boards installed, we can start with the deck framing which on the barrelbacks are attached to the covering boards.