Frame Construction Question

[Dennis Marshall]

I was wondering if some forumite could answer a framing question for me.

I am building Dobler's 16ft 4in interpretation of a dory skiff. It is double chine construction and the basic frame looks somewhat like this:
\ /
\_ /
My question involves cutting the angle of the top of the framing stock at the gunn'l. The plans call for a 74deg angle at frame B (will all frames bear the same angle at this point?), but I am not sure if the angle is cut outward (\) where the extreme height of the frame is on the outboard edge of the framing stock, or inward (/) where the extreme height of the edge is on the inboard edge. It would seem to me that the caprail would angle out, but I would like to be sure before I butcher any more wood.

Thanks.

[Paul Scheuer]

Dennis: I thought all the pros would have jumped in before now. I'm not sure that I get your diagrams, but I think I understand the question.
First of all, the angle at the tops will probably not be the same at all frames. I haven't seen the plans, but I think that angle at frame #2 is given as a starting point. I believe that it is the angle from vertical, unless given otherwise. Other frames will fall at different angles.

Secondly, it may be a little early (IMHO) to be trimming the tops. This part of the construction is going to end up being the most visible part fo the whole boat. It should consist of blended, sweet lines from stem to stern. Including the arch of the breasthook and the quarter knees.

I'd suggest leaving the tops long, until you're all planked up. Then you can fit the inwales, outwales and quarter knees, as a continuous blend. The knees should sweep up off the top of the gunnel as a continuation of that line. That angle probably looks better if it's just a little flatter than the angle amidships, because the boat's a little narrower there. If the design gives the knee angle, (or if you've got a good idea of how it wll look perfect. NOT HORIZONTAL ) you'll want to adjust the inwale and outwale at each frame to make an even transition toward the stern.

Going forward from #2, you'll want to do the same thing to get the transition to the arch in the breasthook (NOT FLAT).

The Yankee Tender construction series gives some notes on this in WB issue 31.

The pic shows a little of what I'm saying.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid19/pe07c0c502aac6083b516f2c32533cf89/fdc91410.jpg

[ 06-17-2002, 06:23 PM: Message edited by: Paul Scheuer ]

[Dennis Marshall]

Paul, thanks so much for your reply to my question. After thinking about it, I did figure out the answer to my own question. I was down in the basement talking to myself so posting the question on the forum helped me get some perspective.

I'll be planking it up this week. I hope all goes well.

P.S. Nice Boat