OD18 Build

[Cracker Larry]

Yes, I had the same issue. Just drop the rear of the panel flush to the transom.

[Bbolton2]

Yes, I had the same issue. Just drop the rear of the panel flush to the transom.

Did you try to keep the bow the same height, or drop the whole panel (level) lowering the bow height?

[jacquesmm]

Something went wrong when measuring there.
You can correct that by adding a bulwark. Look at the TW28 to see what a bulwark is: a plank that you add to the sheer. Cut that plank with a nice sheer curve and nobody will ever know that there was a problem there.

[Bbolton2]

Something went wrong when measuring there.
You can correct that by adding a bulwark. Look at the TW28 to see what a bulwark is: a plank that you add to the sheer. Cut that plank with a nice sheer curve and nobody will ever know that there was a problem there.

Will do, any advice on how far aft of the bow it should go?

[jacquesmm]

Make a template from cardboard and trim it until it looks right. The sheer line should flow smoothly from the stern to the bow, it should not dip at the bow. That is in profile view.
I supervised the building of the first OD16 and the 1st OD18. For each boat, there was a gap of about 1" between the edges of the two upper panels. Tape it with many layers and round it, it produces a nice bow.

[Fuzz]

I had a problem a little like yours with the shear line in the bow. I just added the first layer of rub rail and let it run up as it wanted to at the bow. The curve of the hull makes the rub rail naturally want to rise. All I had to do then was add a triangle looking piece to fill in the missing bow side panel. Plus this made sure I did not have the droopy bow look.

[Larry B]

this is what I did

Before:


After:

[pee wee]

Does the OD18 plans include a bow mold? If so, now is a good time to put it in there and check for fit; you may need to coerce that bow point aft, that will add flare to the bow and bring the sheer up, avoiding the dreaded droop bow (although some people grow an appreciation for that look).
If you've already glued things in place, then Larry's method would be the way to go; the boat will be fine either way.

[jacquesmm]

No bow mold in the plans but the trick is to respect the total length: pull the bow back until the boat is truly 18'. On the prototypes, I did this with a cable pulling form the transom to clamps on the bow panel.
The last pictures look good.

[cape man]

I brought the transom up to the sides.



Was easier than bringing the sides down to the transom for me. Either way, it works.