Building a Glued Lapstrake Caledonia Yawl

Page 7: Stem Band and Keel Shoe

Stem band of the Caledonia Yawl

We have just about finished shaping the keel, skeg, and stems. And we have cut the centerboard slot as deep as we can, we'll finish up the cut when she is upright.

We soaked the bilge runners in salt water for a few days, and steamed them for 45 minutes so we could bend them to fit the hull.

Today the metal arrived from Seattle, so we were able to fit the half-oval stem bands. We also cut and fitted the keel shoe. It is 1/4" thick half-hard brass, 3" wide at it's greatest width. It's a real chunk of metal, and it will go a long ways toward protecting the boat when loading on a trailer, or beaching.

Keel shoe of the Caledonia Yawl

After a bit more shaping on the keel and shoe we should be ready to turn her over so the sheerstrake can be trimmed.