cbreaux
08-06-2009, 05:52 PM
Howdy all!
I have purchased plans to build the William Atkin designed rowing and ailing punt Little Peter. Because I am separated from the designer by some 60 years, I thought it prudent to seek some advice from folks on this forum with experience building boats of this type.
First bit of advice relates to the choice of wood. The Plans and the MoToR BoatinG article prescribe cedar for the side and bottom planks. From scouring through the forum, I assume this would mean Atlantic White Cedar (AWC). Living on the Texas Gulf Coast, I assume as close as I am going to get would be Western Red Cedar (WRC). So I ask if that will suffice. Had I been afflicted with this malady 20 plus years ago, my grand father who used to build Lafayette skiffs might have recommended cypress, but the stories I hear of that particular wood’s shrinkage and expansion due to water leaves me a bit skittish.
The second bit of advice I need relates to the building method of the bottom planks which are to be no wider than 4 ½ inches and no less that 4 inches wide laid athwartship. The plans read as follows:
“Fit the planks very snug; but do not jamb them together with clamps or wedges… It is good practice to cut a slight hollow about 3/8 inch wide along these edges (bottom edges of chine pieces, bow and stern). Run several strands of cotton wicking in this hollow and as the cross planks are laid soak the cotton with thick paint, then screw the planks fast.”
My question is, would one still build in this manner?
The third and final bit of advice (for now) would be on the subject of flat head bronze screws, in particular the flat head subject. Is the choice of flat head versus say frearson head one of tradition and/or cosmetics or of some mechanical leaning.
I thank you in advance for your time and consideration of these matters. If it would be best for me to go back and read a particular thread I might have missed on any of these subjects,, please point that out.
Sincerely,
Breaux
I have purchased plans to build the William Atkin designed rowing and ailing punt Little Peter. Because I am separated from the designer by some 60 years, I thought it prudent to seek some advice from folks on this forum with experience building boats of this type.
First bit of advice relates to the choice of wood. The Plans and the MoToR BoatinG article prescribe cedar for the side and bottom planks. From scouring through the forum, I assume this would mean Atlantic White Cedar (AWC). Living on the Texas Gulf Coast, I assume as close as I am going to get would be Western Red Cedar (WRC). So I ask if that will suffice. Had I been afflicted with this malady 20 plus years ago, my grand father who used to build Lafayette skiffs might have recommended cypress, but the stories I hear of that particular wood’s shrinkage and expansion due to water leaves me a bit skittish.
The second bit of advice I need relates to the building method of the bottom planks which are to be no wider than 4 ½ inches and no less that 4 inches wide laid athwartship. The plans read as follows:
“Fit the planks very snug; but do not jamb them together with clamps or wedges… It is good practice to cut a slight hollow about 3/8 inch wide along these edges (bottom edges of chine pieces, bow and stern). Run several strands of cotton wicking in this hollow and as the cross planks are laid soak the cotton with thick paint, then screw the planks fast.”
My question is, would one still build in this manner?
The third and final bit of advice (for now) would be on the subject of flat head bronze screws, in particular the flat head subject. Is the choice of flat head versus say frearson head one of tradition and/or cosmetics or of some mechanical leaning.
I thank you in advance for your time and consideration of these matters. If it would be best for me to go back and read a particular thread I might have missed on any of these subjects,, please point that out.
Sincerely,
Breaux