Wee Lassie

[Drummerboy]

I've a question for any interested experts on lapstrake canoes.

Is there any reason that I cannot use the patterns for Wee Lassie that McCarthy has published in "Featherweight Boatbuilding", but build it glued-lapstrake, ala Thomas J. Hill?

If this would work, should I laminate the stems as McCarthy does in his strip-planked boats, or 'build' them from two pieces plus facing, as Hill does?
Would Hill's method be appreciably lighter?

I appreciate any thoughts on this.

[Garrett Lowell]

I don't know about lighter. Stronger, yes, much stronger.

[JimConlin]

IIRC, the McCarthy 'Wee Lassie' has a gentler curve at the bottom of the stam than the Tom Hill designs. As such, i'd laminate it. In the lamination, it should approximate the dimensions of the Tom Hill boats.
The 'lining off' of a boat like that is critical. It's the easiest place to do something irreparably ugly. Be patient, study your work at length from many angles, and study the Tom Hill photos. Wait a day and scrutinize it again before proceeding.

[ 04-12-2005, 02:15 PM: Message edited by: JimConlin ]

[Drummerboy]

I see......
then I guess I should tack the 'ribbands' to the sides of the molds so I can easily move them around until I get them to get them to look right.....?

Are there some aesthetic rules about number and sizes of planks I should look at?....Hill says "most of my canoe jigs have 6 or 7 ribbands per side...."....and....."begin with sheer, and space remaining ribbands evenly between it and backbone..." but I'm guessing there's more to it than that?

I've built 2 tortured ply crafts....and would like to try something lapstrake....but small and light.
I appreciate you guys taking a few minutes to share your expertise!
Thanks again.

[garland reese]

Iain Oughtred has some formulas (of sort) for linig off lapstrake designs, in his manual. They are sort of generalized I think, and might require some bit of tweaking here and there. It seems that this step in the process should be taken quite seriously, not rushed, since the looks of the boat and to a degree, the ease of planking will depend on how well the lining off is done. I'd recommend grabbing up a copy of Iain's book. It is a great source for glued-lap construction, as is Tom Hill's book......I lost my copy of Hill's book,.....bummer.