Handy Billy

[shellback]

I've admire Harry Bryan's Hand Billy since featured in WB. Anyone have any thoughts on planking her with plywood rather than cedar?

[Bob Cleek]

Yes, that would be a dumb idea. The work is the same or greater for plywood planking, but would occasion a great amount of wasted offcuts from very expensive material compared to cedar. In the end, you'd still have a plywood boat, worth much less than a traditionally built vessel of the same type. You can't really build a wooden boat until you free yourself from the mindset that wood only comes finished on four sides in construction lumber dimensions. The closer wood is to the shape of a tree, the closer it is to the shape of a boat.

[ 01-07-2006, 03:14 PM: Message edited by: Bob Cleek ]

[ssor]

Nancy and I were talking today about boats and ships built in Columbus' time. Everything about them was made or shaped by hand. Frames, planks, knees, nails, ropes, canvas, anchor chain, they must have employed a small army of craftsmen to put it all together. And I'll bet that the master shipwright went into the forest to choose the trees.

[Figment]

Doug Hylan's "Top Hat" design is similar in spirit, and I think it's been detailed in plywood.

Could be wrong, though. This is just off the top of my head.

[rbgarr]

TOP HAT is plywood below the chine only. Planked above, by whatever method you choose.

[Billy Bones]

Bob is usually spot on, and his comment above is too good to argue.

Harry Bryan knows how to give the people what they want, however. Doug Hylan very kindly drew up Handybilly plans for plywood construction, as he himself builds them, and has given those plans (a sheet, actually; supplemental to the HB plans) to Harry, who will sell them to you for a modest amount if plywood construction suits you.

The ply technique is different from the plank-on-frame technique in some ways--things are added and other things are simplified. In any event the Handybilly is a delightful design which has earned the admiration of many of bryans contemporaries, as well as a happy bunch of customers.

[shellback]

Thanks for the input. It does seem obvious that the planked method is the less expensive way to go. I was primarily think of the movement with the boat being in and out several time each year. I think I'll build it the way Harry designed it.

[Billy Bones]

Good choice, either way.

I should add that I was referring to the HB 21. I do not know if any such addendum exists for the 18 footer.

Good luck.