Timmy that's some pretty wood, what kind is it?

I just got the template for a 6'4" Fish, I havent started yet, just trying to figure out the whole scheme of things first. I'm debating what to do on the rails, but I really like the look of the solid balsa and cork rails. Can anyone give me advice on which method to use? Seems everybody here is doing the bead and cove technique. what's the advantage there?

Thanks

When viewed from above, the bead and cove method will cover the rails and extend the planks to the edge. With balsa/cork method you will see the rails as rings/layers around the planks. In the end both methods product nice rails. The balsa/cork might be a little heavier though.

im thinking about bass wood rail strips. has anyone else used it and is it nice to look at? anyone know were to get a bead n cove router bit?

For solid rails what is the average thickness of the strips used ? and what is the thickness of the shaped finished rails say for a fish?

sorry I missed this post. the wood is aromatic cedar

I'm at the point of putting in the chine strip and had a question about where each length should start and end. Should the left and right strips meet at a point at the nose? In a fish shape this would be the logical decision to create a sharp point but since I'm building a 9" log I'm looking to create a rounded nose and therefore am thinking of having 3 strips...1 to cover the nose and 1 on each side...does anyone see a problem in this? Also, how far into the tail should the chine run?

thanks all...

With the rail strips has anyone (without a router for the bead and cove method) thought about planing a little bit of the 2 internal sides to make a kind of trapezoid shape to lock each strip in together.......kind of need a picture.

but very similar to how they cut stones to build a stone archway each one bevelled to interlock with the next around the curve.

not sure how it will work, anyone got any thoughts?

im up to my rails now and am going to give it a go. will post some pics of my progress.

Hi Slacker, that's the way I've done it but don't do both sides of strip, just adjust 1 side to fit. Check out my thread in Projects 'The Glider'. Best of luck.

hey sussex thanks for that, just had a look at your thread and that is a damn nice board!!

that was pretty much how i was planning on attempting my rails, good to know that it works. thanks for the help.

btw. how does the board go? I bet she does glide!!