Small Round Bottom Boat

[imported_Glenn]

I am building a Catspaw Dinghy which is a WoodenBoat plan designed by Joel White. The carvel planking is 1/2" white cedar over 1/2" white oak frames and the fasteners are copper rivets and roves.

I am putting on the thwart (seat) risers which run fore to aft and they are 1 1/4" x 1/2". My question is how is one expected to get this stock fastened flush with the frame when all of the roves are in the way thereby keeping the stock about 1/8" off of the frame?

The line of the thwart riser is not the same as the plank line so the riser ends up being lifted off the frame by the rove heads. I have gone ahead and fastened the riser to the frame anyway but it sure seems odd to me.

Thanks for any input.

[Bruce Taylor]

I suppose I'd put relief holes in the risers at all the trouble spots.

[BRU]

Glenn, I agree. Not much else you can do and a couple of shallow holes won't hurt the strength. I'm starting the Catspaw this year. Took the WBS 2 week fundamental and built Harry Bryan's "Daisy" so I think I'm ready. Anything weird or confusing show up yet in the Catspaw's construction? Did you loft it or use the patterns for the molds, etc. Thanks, Bruce

[imported_Glenn]

Originally posted by BRU:
Glenn, I agree. Not much else you can do and a couple of shallow holes won't hurt the strength. I'm starting the Catspaw this year. Took the WBS 2 week fundamental and built Harry Bryan's "Daisy" so I think I'm ready. Anything weird or confusing show up yet in the Catspaw's construction? Did you loft it or use the patterns for the molds, etc. Thanks, BruceBruce,
I lofted from the offsets and then I checked my mold patterns against those that came with the plans. They were very close. I didn't need to do the lofting but it was a good exercise for a rooky like me. The catspaw per plan is carvel planked. If you use #12 x 1 1/2" copper nails you should predrill the hole through the plank and frame using a 7/64" bit for a tight fit. Be sure to have a countersink on your bit and then sink it into the plank slightly to allow for the nail head. This way when you fair the hull when the planking is done you won't be hitting all of those nail heads. Make sure you use roves and not flat washers. Remember that once the rove is hammered onto the tip of the nail, you can then put your backing iron with its small tip placed on the head of the nail and then simply push the rove home with your rove-set. Another tip you might want to use is to get your self a 16 foot long wooden closet pole at 1 5/16" diameter and rip it in half on your table saw to get two half-rounds and then use each one for your pine rub rail. Have fun !!!

My boat is now planked turned over with the sheer clamp, rub rail, quarter-knees, breasthook and thwart risers in place.

[BRU]

Glenn, Many thanks for the tips and congrats on your progress. Bruce