Dorade Blog, 021: The basswood deck is being laid on the 1:32-scale model of Dorade. To maintain symmetry, each port-starboard pair of 0.047-inch-wide planks is nibbed to the king plank in turn. When four pairs have been fitted, they are installed in two batches, one to starboard and one to port. Then on to the next batch. (Image courtesy Dawn Norris Photography)
Dorade Blog, 022: Here, a port-side batch is clamped against previously installed decking with a long maple caul that is forced outward by scraps of pear wood jammed against the king plank. Caulking is represented with acrylic burnt umber paint brushed on the edges of the planks before installation. (Image by Rob Napier)
Dorade Blog, 023: As laid, the deck is messy with glue and caulking; it is designed to be slightly too thick. But when the glue has set, dressing down with a small spoke shave and sanding reveals the nibbing pattern and the fine caulking lines. The width of the deck planks was calculated from Rosenfeld photos of Dorade taken in 1931, the year of record for this model. (Image by Rob Napier)
Dorade Blog, 024: The decking has been trimmed so the deckhouse placeholders fit in their openings. The planks were all cut from the same original piece of basswood, but variegation in the color, which was brought out by the first coat of finish, adds visual texture to the deck. Decking inside the cockpit coaming, which has not yet been laid out, will be removed and reinstalled with the white caulking used in this area on Dorade. (Image by Rob Napier)