Today’s podcast is an interview with Cold Molded building expert Sean Koomen, instructor at the NW School of Wooden Boat Building in Port Hadlock, WA. This is the fifth of my Interview The Expert series of podcasts focused on 6 methods of boatbuilding: Carvel, Lapstrake, Cold Molded, Stitch and Glue, Strip Planked, and Skin-on-Frame.

With Cold Molded construction, 2 or more layers of wood veneer are glued together (in opposing grain directions) over an elaborate building jig using the vacuum bagging method or by stapling them together, so that the epoxy is uniformly applied between layers. Typically the inside and outside of the hull is sheathed with fiberglass cloth to protect the veneers of the wooden hull.

A cold molded boat is a light, strong, and beautiful monocoque hull – but can be complex and time consuming to build.

During the interview, Sean discusses the following points on Cold Molded construction:

Description and history

Skill level required to utilize this method

Cost of this method versus other building methods Time to build versus other methods

Special tools and materials required

Pros and cons

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Keep the bright side up and the barnacled side down - Wooden

PS  Please note this podcast was recorded several years ago