Notched frames for Weston Farmer's Badger

[diggergilks]

Hi. We've received Westy's plans for his modified dory, Badger. This is a lapstrake boat. In his drawings Wes shows the frames as being notched to inlet the garboard and next couple of strakes. Sort of like clapboards on a house. So the outboard surface of the frame would have a zigzag pattern. We've never seen this style before and wonder if anyone else has seen or used such a method. So for the garboard the frame would be notched the full width and thickness of the plank. Thus the plank would lay flush with the frame for the plank's full width. The next plank will overlap the top edge of the garboard (as it should) but again be let into the frame for it's full thickness and width. The shear plank is not let into the frame but lays flat against the upper portion of the frame and overlaps the top edge of the plank below. In dory's we've seen the planks are usually allowed to stand away from the outside edge of frames, only touching where they overlap and are fastened. So there's a wedge of daylight between the plank and the frame. Did Westy intend to improve on this method by inletting the frames of Badger? Hope my description is not too confusing. Thanks for your ideas.
Digger Gilks

[marwesmed]

Hi digger,
I don't know the reason, but I would like to know too. Maybe someone on the forum will have that information.
Wes

[L.W. Baxter]

I'd think that notched frames would give extra bearing to the planks, reducing their tendency to split from flexing. This would be especially important on the bottom where a boat might be run up on the beach.

I've seen this on a number of boats and it looks very attractive, to my eye.