G'day All, I've completed adding the rib frames to DKM Karlsruhe and I've added the first strake on each side of the hull.
The first time I did this was for my Flower class corvette. That ship had a flat foc'sle deck plus a main deck with considerable sheer aft. So in that case I glued the first strake under the foc'sle deck, from the break in the foc'sle deck to the bow. This hull is the opposite, with a flat main deck. So I decided to fit the first strake under the main deck, starting at the stern and continuing it all the way to the bow. This strake is rather deep, 4mm, and is a pre-cut strip for precision. I started fitting it between the transom stern and the first rib frame, then as the glue dried I moved further along the hull.
As I went I glued join-strengtheners of 1.5mm square-section styrene between the strake and the deck edge, between the rib frames. Probably a bit excessive but I thought it important to get this one right as a starting point. That's why this first strake was a pre-cut strip and not a strip I cut from a sheet, the cheaper way of doing it.
The hull will be cladded by strakes 0.75mm thick. Thinner styrene is easier to work but due to the limited number of hull rib frames it has a tendency to become straight sections between frames, creating a sort of oil-canning effect. The thicker styrene seems to follow the hull curve better. And speaking of hull curve, I think the hull 'entry' is a bit fine and bow a bit too flared but this was due I think to my rib frames being of dubious accuracy and position, particularly those under the break in the foc'sle deck. I'm going to have to live with it I think.
The remainder of the strakes will be cut from a sheet of styrene, will not run the full length of the ship and will be tapered a bit towards each end of the hull. They'll also be narrower than this first strake, to follow the curve around the hull better. Well, that's the plan anyway.
So this is it for now. I hope this week-end is peaceful and meaningful for you, what ever your beliefs. Stay safe and regards to all, Jeff.