In addition to the main bulkheads, Intrepid has three temporary forms to help hold the shape of the boat while it is being fiber glassed together. Once the fiber glassing is done, the temporary forms are removed and discarded or recycled. Each form has edge cleats around its perimeter to which the bottom and sides get screwed to. The first step is to cut all of the edge cleats to size. I am using cheap common pine, 3/4" x 1 1/2".

From my earlier experiences of trying to put screws into wood, I know that it is best to pre drill the holes so that you do not snap the screws in half if they bind, or even split the wood as the screw goes in. However, after completing my first temporary form, I realized that with soft wood like pine, this step is unnecessary, and omitted it for the other forms.

I also learned that screws strip easily in soft wood, and especially in thin plywood, hence the glue step. In the beginning, I just put enough glue on the pine that I thought would compliment the holding strength of the screws. Half-way through the first piece, I started slopping a lot glue on. When you clamp the edge cleat to the temporary form, you want to see glue oozing out from every side. It is a simple matter to take a damp cloth to wipe up any excess squeezed out. At least this way, you'll know that both mating surfaces are fully and properly coated.

I had to put screws in through both sides to get the edge cleats properly clamped down, such is the weak holding power in this crap wood.

All three Temporary Forms, 2, 8, and 14, are completed. You are getting a preview of the shape of the hull to come: the left form is near the rear of the boat, the right form is in the middle of the cabin, and the little, itty, bitty form at the bottom is stationed about two feet back from the stem (front).