There are various ways to construct the nose and tail, all are challenging - and rewarding!
Options include: mitered (nose), rabbeted block (nose and tail), capped (tail/transom).
Project Rail Shape Onto Nose
Begin by marking the back of each rail strip where it lands onto the nose.
The projected shape of the rail layout provides nose shape, as pictured below.
Stabilize Spar at Nose
After cutting the nose to shape, be sure to stabilize the spar with a block of scrap plywood secured flat to the assembly table.
First Strips Installed Long
The first strips installed should extend beyond the nose. Later, miter cut these strips.
Be creative with clamping strategies. The angles are difficult, especially with wet epoxy.
Spring miter clamps are popular, or try a stepped angular block pictured below. Blue painter's tape and wax paper wrapped around the block will peel away from the nose after the epoxy sets, which prevents any clamping blocks from adhering to the board.
Below is an example of a mitered nose on a Cascade.
Sculpting the Nose Block
If selecting the rabbeted nose block method, project the rail shape onto the block. Then, account for the strip thickness as you mark the rabbet location. Strips will land on the rabbet so that the ends are uniformly flush to lineup vertically.
Rough sculpt the nose block, sighting from nose to tail, paying careful attention that both sides are symmetrical. There are a variety of nose profiles that work well. A nose block formed from contrasting wood looks best, preferably matching pin lines and false stringer.
Glue (epoxy) the strips onto the rabbet. Take your time and enjoy the process.
The same logic applies if selecting a rabbeted block for the tail.
Below are two examples of rabbeted nose and tail blocks on the Umpqua.
Tail Strips
If selecting the capped tail method, strips run long at the tail and are cut to shape after all strips are installed.
Capped Tail
After strips are cut to shape the tail is "capped".
Whether capping or rabbeting, the tail blocks can be as simple or complex as you wish.
Below is an example of a more complex rabbeted tail block on a Cascade.
Next, review the tutorial on strip planking a hollow wood board.
Please reach out with your questions!
