Boat Building with Domino Connectors

[toolfest.co.uk]

Good Afternoon

Our next door neighbours are a joinery shop and they've embarked upon a project to build a sail powered boat in line with a cornish fishing boat design to eventually cross the English Channel.

I was curious to see they were using Domino connectors in construction so took a couple of pics.

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As it develops, I'll keep you posted.

Warren

 

[Svar]

That doesn't look like a sound choice for a seaworthy boat, unless their goal is to advertise/test Domino Connectors.

 

[toolfest.co.uk]

That doesn't look like a sound choice for a seaworthy boat, unless their goal is to advertise/test Domino Connectors.

There is no involvement from ourselves or Festool, just noticed it when they started setting out in the yard. They are experienced, I have confidence in their abilities, needless to say I won't be volunteering to crew the maiden voyage. ;-)

 

[rmhinden]

I suspect that the Domino connectors are not rated for use in salt water.  Should last for one channel crossing, but not long term.

 

[1951CorrectCraft]

I suspect we are looking at the station molds that the hull will be built on. So none of this will see water.

 

[DeformedTree]

I suspect we are looking at the station molds that the hull will be built on. So none of this will see water.

Agree, otherwise why would you make them removable. Unless they are doing a lot of dry fit with these, make sure all the joints work, then pull it apart and put wood dominos in.

Dominos in boat construction could work, after all boats were built for a long time with wood pegs and iron nails.  It's the sum of the construction.  But if your going to use Dominos, you would really design the boat around what you could do with them, take advantage of their ability.

 

[Stone Message]

I suspect we are looking at the station molds that the hull will be built on. So none of this will see water.

I also agree with this. The Domino connectors are excellent but nobody in their right mind would use them in an application which involved huge stresses and sea water.

They are in the process of making a male pattern from which the female will be made. The wooden male would have to be disassembled from within the cured female, hence the connectors.

Peter

 

[Vondawg]

I Agree...wood looks to be common quickly grown lumber as well

 

[toolfest.co.uk]

Few more pics for you.

I've read the comments above and without mentioning anyones misgivings I have spoken to the guys over there and asked about the plan. This is a project where the enjoyment is in the making I've been told, it may sink, but the exercise using connectors and a new type of treated timber is the leftfield approach they enjoy, pushing boundaries and taking a new individual approach. It's not always the end result that's important, it's the journey there that gives the pleasure, the stories and the building of character.

I applaud their boldness and watch from my office window with great interest.

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[Stone Message]

Hi Warren

As long as they do not blame you when the connectors fail in the middle of the English Channel !

Given what you have said about the boat builders they may well learn enough from this to make patterns for GRP work. It is certainly an interesting design subject.

Peter

 

[toolfest.co.uk]

The boat has been brought in for the winter and with many stainless brads and copious amounts special glue our next door neighbours are at this point:

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[kent B]

great looking boat.

kent