Smithsonian catalogue

[WRB]

Hello..
Has anybody out there ordered a copy of the plans list from the Smithsonian, and if so, can you tell me how much detail it has. Is it just a list of boat names or does it include illustrations and descriptions?

Ta
Warren

[Mike Field]

Hi, Warren,

No answer at all I'm afraid, but when I saw your "Ta," I thought, "Aha, is this another Aussie?" and found out we're probably only half an hour apart.

Us Aussies are getting to have quite a contingent here. There's Chris, Shane, Tony, Phil, Vaughan, you and me, and a couple more besides. Just keep the word "takeover" in the back of your mind for future reference,,,,,

[Tom Jackson]

It is a list of plans, no illustration, no description. However, Howard Chapelle's drawings all reside at the Smithsonian, so the coding system is cross-referenced to his books. ASSC, for example, is "American Small Sailing Craft." The list is extremely useful if you know what you are looking for.

Remember, though, that the plans often were not intended for amateur builders. I am building a Noman's Land boat from lines Chapelle took off (plate No. 63 in ASSC). The one-sheet plans included lines and offsets, indicating the maststep location and the centerboard trunk location. There is no construction plan. There is no sail plan. It's a very interesting way to build a boat, but it's not for everybody. Some plans, however, will have much more detail, and I believe the type of plans and number of sheets is indicated in the catalog. Especially in conjunction with the plans catalog from Mystic Seaport, I find the Smithsonian catalog an invaluable resource.

[gary porter]

Tom, I would like to get a copy of that catalog, Is there an address or webpage etc.?? Thanks.....gary

[Thad]

Ships Plans
NMAH 5010/MRC628
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, DC 20560

Check to the Smithsonian Institution for $10.

[Tom Jackson]

The Smithsonian generally has a classified ad in the "Publications" section of WoodenBoat (page 133 in the current edition, middle of column four). Thad's information above is correct.

[Will]

Thanks Thad , I've been meaning to get that catalog .

[Bruce Keefauver]

Wow, what a cool project Tom. What progress have you made? Will there be a article?

[Tom Jackson]

Thanks. I built it right-side-up, skin-first with lapstrake planking over molds. The planking is done, centerboard trunk logs and uprights installed, most floor timbers installed, a few frames. Frames and floors are sawn, joggled to lie to the inside faces of the planks.

Much delayed by a cross-continental move, Oregon to Maine, and the purchase of an 1850 farmhouse. I trailered it to Maine with the planking done and the molds lashed down. Matt Murphy has given me a deadline: I'm supposed to have it ready for WoodenBoat's event in Rockland next July. Better get moving...

I'm not sure about an article. Maybe.

[DougWilde]

I ordered the Sinepuxent Bay skiff plans, page 330 in ASSC. Enough information is provided for one (reasonably) skilled in the art to build a boat. What I especially liked about the plans is the print extends to the far margins of the linen and includes all the pen wipes from the inking of the original drawing. Just adds a nice human touch.

And they are so CHEAP!

Doug Wilde

[WRB]

Thanks for the info Tom, I am able to work up a set of offsets of a line drawing and I think we all know what thay are supposed to look like inside and I have got a set of Herroshoffs(?) scantiling (pardon my spelling...blame primary school teachers!) rule somewhere. so as long as I can reference to a drawing in one of the chappel books, they should be okay. I will send a cheque off to the Smitsonian tomorrow.
Hey Mike, If your only half an hour away, I'll call you when I'm about to turn the hull over and you can come and help me tighten up the rivits http://media5.hypernet.com/~dick/ubb/biggrin.gif Cheers