Posted by ken on August 22, 19103 at 19:25:20:
In Reply to: Butt or Scarf? posted by Graham Knight on August 21, 19103 at 11:17:35:
: I'm nearly ready to start preparing the plywood skins for my Squirt, and I can't decide how to join them (I'm using 8' x 4' marine ply). Butt joints are obviously easiest, but Scarf joints look far more elegant on the inside!
: I've also noticed in many builders photos that they've placed the joins in the bottom skins towards the bow, this seems wrong to me as the wood is beginning to curve quite sharply there, towards the transom where it's flat would seem a better place.
: Does anyone have any strong opinions on any of this, any definite pros and cons for either method?
I think you already answered your own question. Do you want your workmanship to look easy or elegant as you mentioned the two methods above? You are correct that either method can be used it is the builders choice. The Glen-l book has an article on scarfs as well as Gougeon Brothers on boat construction. If you can build the boat, then you can build the jig to cut your scarfs with, and have it elegant as you say.
Or, you could do it in butts joint and get goin faster.