Accurate setup of the strongback and temporary form frames defines the geometry of the F-39 floats and sets the reference for all subsequent construction stages.
Strongback and port float frame setup.
At an early stage of the project I obtained a set of used float form frames from Noreen’s F-36. Although the differences between the F-39 and F-36 frames are substantial, they provided a useful reference and helped establish what to expect during construction. The F-39 floats are 40 mm wider and feature an asymmetrical hull shape, resulting in approximately 15 % more buoyancy. The outer half of the float appears slightly less complex than the inner side, making it a logical starting point to gain experience with the setup and geometry.
A perfectly level strongback is essential. This was achieved using a laser level positioned across the street, with the garage doors fully open. Once established, this reference remained unchanged throughout the entire build period, ensuring that all subsequent mold frames could be set up without further concern about level or alignment.
This photo gallery (11 images), and the image below, follows the strongback setup and the gradual assembly of the form frames, resulting in the framework that defines the shape of the float half.
