Pattern Making Instructions

We recommend that you obtain a pattern making kit from ourselves which will contain instructions, pattern making material (which is durable, non stretch and is transparent enough for tracing) and marine grade high tack double sided tape.

Tip: If working outdoors it is best to choose a day that is not windy. It can also be helpful to have something at hand to weigh the patterning material down.

Method

Cut small pieces of double sided tape from roll and stick down at about every 60cm or so around the edge of panel to be patterned, leave backing paper on at this stage (fig1).

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  Fig.1

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  Fig.2

Roughly measure and cut patterning material slightly oversized to the shape of the panel.

Lay patterning material in place loosely and weigh down if required.

Working around the area bit by bit fold back the patterning material and remove the backing paper from the double sided tape using the point of a stanley type knife and stick down the pattern material keeping it flat and taunt without stretching. Trim away any excess material.

When you have stuck down the whole panel you can go back and lift the patterning material from the tape in order to reposition until you have a flat smooth pattern.

Using a thin permanent marker or ball point pen draw a clear outline of the shape required (fig2).

Tip: If a panel is very large or is a difficult shape to pattern use several pieces of patenting material to make up the whole panel allowing for approximately 10cm overlap between pieces and stick them together in position with two lines of double sided tape. Draw several mark outline of where any fitting are positioned together with any measurements. For example access hatch 20cm radius.

Mark the centre line of the gap in the opening of small hatches and mark on size of gap required. Do not cut out hatches. We normally allow a small overlap on hatch openings to allow for trimming. Large hatches and panels can be patterned separately.

Mark the direction of planks by drawing a straight line through the template with an arrow pointing to the stern if the boat (fig.3).

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  Fig.3

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  Fig.4

Where several panels are required it is important to draw straight lines right through the panels on the pattern to show their position in relation to one another in order for us to align planking. Label these lines A, B, C etc (fig.4).

Carefully remove pattern from tape then either cut out cut around marked line, refit on panel and check for accuracy and adjust as required. On long thin panels over 2.5 metres it is important to have at least 1 straight line drawn down the entire length of the panel more if needed. This is so we can re-align the pattern during manufacture.

For total accuracy create working templates from all of the patterns in hardboard or 3mm foam board then check for fit and adjust as required.

Draw a simple layout sketch marking on position of centre and reference lines and If possible attach a photo of the deck area.

Write on each panel boat name, your name and telephone number. Remove the pattern material and roll up. Remove the double sided tape from boat immediately as it will become more difficult to remove later.

Check list:

1. Has pattern been checked for accuracy?
2. Have you written all of your details on each panel?
3. Have you marked plank direction lines and stern on each panel?
4. Have you marked reference lines between each panel?
5. Have you drawn straight lines along length of long thin panels?