UK HBBR

Beginner’s Clunky Ply – Strong Back

ukhbbr — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 21:45:59 +0000

Paul Fisher said 3×1 screwed into a T beam would work well, ideally with old dry wood that had finished all its twisting.
I don’t have anything like that so the best I can do is get 3×1 planed which has been stored indoors at the local builders merchant, using the straightest I can find. Any comments?
Having said that it will have to be stored outside on the grass under a poly cover…..unless I build an extension to our 12ft conservatory. Or I might build a rainproof cover along one side of our house and the fence. It would be about 5 feet wide.
Thinking a bit more the strong back might have to be moved. I know that’s not ideal but I can think of ways of realigning it – string through holes in each stage or a laser level.

12/09/2008

Umm, yes quite a challenge you have got there. I, personally don’t like the T strongback – I just think there are so many ways that it can twist out of shape. Modern timber is such diabolical quality that I would be very loathe to follow Paul’s recommendation. All my canoes have been built on a ladder type strongback built out of L girders for lightness and great strength and stability. I think the T strongback comes from across the pond where it is universal for the Cedar/ canvas canoe build and I don’t think the need for absolute level is so important – largely because the planks at bow and stern are not finally brought in permanent alignment until the boat is off the moulds so there is scope for fudging.

Once you have got the backbone (hog and stems) securely fixed the ladder frame becomes quite rigid, triangulation I expect. I did put legs on wheels at one end of the frame with the other clamped in one of those £10 workbenches so that I could move the thing around – even with 12′ width in the workshop there were still times when ……

The advantage of the L girders is that you can use 5×1/2 floorboard stock and join lengths with a butt strap to extend it. the short leg of the L is something like 2×1 screwed and glued inside the top of the side plank. Not sure if I make sense – attached some snaps to hopefully clarify.

L Girder frame upside down showing simple construction.

: L Girder frame right way up showing cantelievered supports

Beginner’s Clunky Ply – Introduction

ukhbbr — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 21:41:37 +0000

An adventure in Clinker Ply Boatbuilding

Being an attempt to short circuit the learning process by means of Q&A between two UK-HBBR members at opposite ends of the country. The project is one of Paul Fishers sailing canoes, the Woodland 15 .

Woodland 15 sailing canoe

The two members concerned both have a few boats under their belts, Southernman (S) has built in the more common Stitch and Tape method but has repeatedly been advised that clinker ply, (lapstrake ply in our former colony across the Atlantic) is far easier and less messy by Northernman (N) who has so far built four by this method, his aversion to S&T is based on experience having built two boats by that method in his early days, being a bone idle sort he finds it all too much like hard work.

This document will consist of Questions put by S to N as problems occur. Please feel free to comment (using the box below) if you disagree or have an alternative solution. N certainly would not claim to be knowledgable on the subject, responses will be based on his experiences – good and bad – in building boats at home. Most illustrations will be as thumbnails to help the page load in a reasonable time for those with dial up. Clicking on the image will bring an enlarged version to your screen.

Your Cheating Heart

portnastorm — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:15:36 +0000

Having sworn my love for the Wolstenholme Coot, my wandering eye has landed on Oughtred’s Tammie Norrie, is there no end to this torment?

Actually I really wanted to see where an unclassified blog would land on the site!

Canoe ‘Fly’ – 1889

ukhbbr — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 20:10:11 +0000

I find it fascinating to read about sailing canoes from the late 19th Century. In many ways things have not changed..at 16ft long and 30in beam ‘Fly’ could have been built last week or 119 years ago:

Paddle and Sail, February 1889 wrote this about Paul Butler’s Canoe Fly:
“A REAL LITTLE SHIP SHE WAS CALLED at the meet last August. Rigged like a yacht. Planking and deck are of Spanish cedar, smooth skin, well varnished and polished up to the last notch. Fittings are scientifically made, light strong and in exactly the right places. the centerboard trunk, in the middle of the canoe, prevents sleeping in the hold. Otherwise it is an honest cruising canoe, a wonderful sea boat, having excessive freeboard…

A little over 100 feet of sail, perfectly balanced, no ballast. Canoe is very stiff, sails wonderfully close to the wind, maneuvers easily and quickly, weathers a blow and a heavy sea . Uses hoisting sails, each with a single reef worked by gathering lines from the cockpit. The rudder, centerboard and hangings, tiller, deck seat, mast blocks and rings, cleats and running rigging, were specially designed by the owner and worked out under his eye, as the whole boat was, in fact.

The canoe was built up to the limits – sixteen feet long by 30 inches beam.

Lost in 1888 to Eclipse but was ahead of her in heavy air until at the finish the wind died.”

Reference: http://www.enter.net/~skimmer/fly.html

Amble up the Hamble

portnastorm — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:36:09 +0000

The HBBR stalwarts stand in awe of Chris IV as he navigates the storm lashed reaches of the hamble last August. “right that’s decided then, we drive to the pub”

Canoe Corner

ukhbbr — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 21:40:00 +0000

Down in canoe corner Peter Taylor readies his Swallow Boats sandpiper “Ariel” for a quick turn around the bay.
Barry O’Hara, and crew setting off in his Selway Fisher Petit Breeze.

And Now a Word from our Sponsor

ukhbbr — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 22:11:00 +0000

And here is that intrepid explorer himself, about to brave the elements and set of for foreign shores in Jackson’s Cracker. Alex Jordan, the man, the myth, the legend, who started all of this shows a fine pair of calves, a healthy disdain for the fickle fashion of sailing attire, and can barely contain his excitement at the prospect

Introducing Gem and her Faithfull Companion.

ukhbbr — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 20:06:00 +0000

Doing what they do best, Phil Oxborrow and his sometimes reluctant but allways faithfull companion Gem cruising along in Phil’s Prospector canoe.

Wideawake, Catlin & Jackson’s Cracker.

ukhbbr — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 19:45:00 +0000

Phil Humphries at the helm of his Ness Yawl “Wideawake” sails past her wee sister “Caitlin” a Whilly Tern. Both boats were designed by Iain Oughtred.

Reflected in the glassy surface of the water Adam Claridge sets off in “Jackson’s Cracker” an absolutely stunning Mallard by Andrew Wolstenholm. The reader will have gathered by now that there wasn’t much wind at this stage on the Saturday. As happens so often on these occasions by the time we all had to leave on Sunday afternoon it was blowing up good style.

Sweet Mist

ukhbbr — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 21:13:00 +0000

Ken da Silva using the auxilliary power on his stevenson weekender “Sweet Mist” pretty much sums up what the HBBR meetings are all about. No corporate stands, no blazers, no sweat, just a relaxed get together of like minded people talking about and sharing their boating experiences.