planking

[jochem]

Hi,
I am trying to find out the width of the timber for the planking of my clinker built 17 foot daysailer. Is there a standard method to work out this width (finished width approx 6 inches). I have detailed plans of the boat and looked in various books but could not find anything.

Many thanks!

[Roger Cumming]

Basically, it is indeterminate until the molds are set up, lined off based on the desired 6-inch width and a spiling batten is applied. The plank shapes will then determine the required timber widths. If you can't get lumber of the required width you must reduce the planking width or have joints in the planks. Or both. An experienced builder will be able to look at the plans and tell you whether the width of the available lumber is appropriate for the design.

[Bruce Hooke]

If you really want to get a handle on this before you start building the boat one way is to build a half model and plank it with basswood or heavy cardstock. With basswood you could actually plane the laps and get a very good equivalent to how the planks will lay out on the full-size boat (make sure you use basswood of the right scale thickness). A model would also give you a chance to practice laying out the planking runs and then seeing what the results look like in 3D before you start in on the full-size boat...