Building with C-Flex

Does anyone have experience with this. Pros and Cons versus other methods, like Stitch and Glue. Was looking at this plan but not sure.

[gonzo]

Is the design for stich and glue? If not, you'll have to redraw it and calculate the plate development.

No this is a C-Flex design. Was wondering the pro and cons of using c-flex.

[gonzo]

C-Flex is great for one off boats. It takes a building jig like a coldmolded or strip plank hull. The finished surface is rather rough and needs to be sprayed with high build epoxy fairing compound and blocked fair.

[Timm]

You may also want to consider using Core-Cell Bead and Cove planking for a project like this. It will be lighter and probably no more expensive.

Guess I would need to get this book "Building your Hull with the Bead & Cove System" to try and figure out how much of that stuff is needed. Thanks for the info..

Without a doubt Bead and Cove...

[gonzo]

Bead and cove seems like a good system until you need to spline or add stealers. Then you have to make a lot of fitting. I think flat edges, which have been used for a long time, work better. One of the advantages is that they can be slid sideways to fair a hard spot. Also, splining is much easier.

[Timm]

Gonzo, maybe I am misunderstanding what you've written, but in Core Cell Bead and Cove, there are no splines and you shouldn't have to add any stealers. Basically, you start at the sheer and plank up to the keel. As the planks are made of foam, they are somewhat flexible in all directions and can be made to follow your form very easily. Any lumps can be sanded off with a cheesegrater type of file. The planks are glued together with a special adhesive.

Your points do make good sense when discussing wood strip planking. Then I would try to avoid stealers and splines as well! They seem to be well beyond my limited woodworking abilities!

What are the benifits of C-flex versus Core Cell Bead and Cove? I have been lurking and reading different post trying to gather information for a first time boat builder. I like the c-flex process because it would be easy for a beginner. But this thread leans towards Core Cell. Please clarify.