Installing Deck Beams

Jig for laminating deck beams

Both the Chesapeake 16lt and the Chesapeake 17lt require a pair of curved deck beams. A large one just forward of the cockpit opening, and a smaller one set near the bow. The larger of the two beams was made by laminating layers of 4mm plywood together on a jig. The smaller forward beam was cut directly from a piece of 1x4 pine.  With more forethought I would have made the laminated deck beam pieces longer and cut both beams from a single curved piece.

The directions call for attaching the deck beam with thickened epoxy and a single screw through each sheer into the beam. Like many builders on the CLC Forum, I opted to only use

Laminated deck beam is cleaned up and the sharp corners eased

the thickened epoxy and reinforce the deck beam with epoxy fillets. My thinking is that once the deck is securely attached to the deck beam and the sheer clamps the deck beams will be locked into position.

Deck beam clamped in position