Shelter Island Boat Works

The 1/2″ plywood skeg came in the kit. It must be installed perfectly as the boat relies on it to track straight and level. The skeg was twisted so I needed to clamp it well. After attaching a bottom solid mahogany rub strip I added the filled epoxy, taped, clamped, and leveled it. A used a large fillet to reinforce the skeg to the hull.

The bow and stern seats are CNC-cut 1/2″ plywood and each is one piece. I did not like the look of the wavy-grained plywood surface area, and because they would be varnished, I decided to add some detail to break up the surface. I routed the seats to accept solid 1/4″ mahogany inlay and added a solid mahogany edge. The appearance would be more like paneled seats and blend into the planking seams of the hull.

Before the Inlay

Gluing the Inlay and Edging

Finished Inlay