interiors

[paul austin]

I wonder if there's a book on interiors between bulkheads.
I'd like to look at preliminary plans and say, yes I can build that or no, I can't handle this boat; I'd like to be able to look at plans and say, 'now this comes first, then that, then I'll be ready for this. I'll need these tools, otherwise I can't do this boat. I'll need to go on to another.'
If there is no book, is there a way to learn what fastens with glue, what with bolts, or screws; what anchors on the bulkhead or on the frame or to the floor?
Maybe there's no way to shorter the learning without making a mistake.
Any ideas, gentlemen?
Paul A

[Peerie Maa]

The Rudder publication of L Francis Herreshoff's Sensible Cruising Designs is full of study drawings, worth borrowing a copy if you cannot run to buying one.
http://books.google.co.uk/books/abou...AJ&redir_esc=y
Assemble flat panels with glue, but screw or bolt the panels and frame together and into the boat so that it can all be taken apart for alterations or repair and maintenance. Never make a panel or component that is too big to come out through the biggest hatch or skylight.
P.S. Welcome to the forum It will be easier to answer some questions with more relevance if you add your location to your profile.

[Jay Greer]

I prefer to construct bulkheads of either T&G or raised panels. To my eye, a bulkhead of this kind of construction, looks better and does not have the nasty habit of absorbing moisture through the end grain or delaminating.

Every cabin I have ever planned or constructed, began as a sketch which was followed by a mock up made of scrap and door skin. Then the formal measured drawings were made from the mock up. I, personally, believe that this approach gives a much better perception and feel to an interior than an in depth conceptional drawing will in the first planning stages of interior design. By using this system, costly mistakes can be avoided and one can see if the interior can be comfortably lived in.
Jay

[TR]

There's little on the specific subject, the best definitive reference is to get all 230+ back issue of WoodenBoat and work through them. There is a book by Fred Bingham, Yacht Joinery and Cabinetmaking (I think?) but I believe it's a bit simplistic....which may suit you just fine. I think it's a hard subject to cover in one book because there are so many levels of finish and joinery styles. Almost all the boatbuilding books have a tiny bit on the subject......Also there are a few books (out of print but common) by Ferenc Mate, The Finely Fitted Yacht and some others.

[dredbob]

There is a book by Mike Saunders called _Yacht Joinery and Fitting_ that is pretty much all about building the interior. The couple of books by Ferenc Mate' may be useful also. The books by the Binghams (Fred and Bruce) alone and with Dan Spurr and others, also have relevant information.

Bob

[skaraborgcraft]

Binghams book is fine to start with,Saunders book takes things a bit further,but will get you to the stage where i would generally do as Jay has suggested,and mock up an interior. None of it is rocket science, but it certainly pays to pay attention to how you put things together,and how they may be taken apart,possibly at sea in a hurry, should you ever suffer some damage. Depending on hull construction,there is something to be said for fully bonded bulkheads and berth fronts lockers on smallish boats to split areas into watertight areas. I have built in watertight bulkheads on two boats i took offshore,but as a singlhander,you need that extra time a watertight bulkhead could possibly give you in an emergency. That may seem a bit off topic, but if i was looking into an empty hull, i would be looking at my watertight bulkead placement first. Cheers

[paul austin]

Thank you for everyone. As it happens, Peerie, I just came back from a used bookstore with LFH under my smelly arm. Wonderful timing. I'd like to ask Tad what he thinks the minimum height for sitting is. Thanks Dredbob for the Saunders book title. I had never heard of it until now. Obviously, there is no other way but bonded bulkheads so I'll have to be more aware of how I move around the cabin as to where the bulkheads would ideally be. Ultimately I think I will get the WB thumb drive and work through the issues. Sure beats mowing the lawn.
This gives me what I needed to know when I look at plans for a 33 footer. I won't be heading across the ocean, but I will be spending weekends smelling wood and varnish.
Thanks to everyone.
Paul A

[TR]

I'd like to ask Tad what he thinks the minimum height for sitting is.

Something an entire book could be written about.......There is a good book on the subject, The Measure of Man and Woman, Human factors in Design by Henry Dreyfuss Associates.

I always try to get 36" above the cushion top, so tall folks don't bang their heads. The height off the sole can vary considerably, the typical un-cushioned household dining chair seat is about 16.5" off the floor. Typical table top is 28" off the floor and the seat should be 9-12" below that. The typical sailing yacht settee is 18" from sole to cushion top. Part of that is to get more tank space underneath. I've used seat heights as low as 10" off the sole (small boats)and as high as 22". If they are low more depth (seat width) helps, higher benches can be narrow. Slope of the seat front to back is nice for sitting but most do not like it for sleeping. The low seats in small boats aren't because the people get smaller, its to gain headroom over the cushion.

As mentioned above a mockup really clarifies interior layout and features, it's totally worth doing.

[John Meachen]

I find Ian Nicolson's Boat Data Book very helpful for establishing the details of layouts.The diagrams cover most situations encountered when trying to make life comfortable in a boat shaped envelope.Much other useful information there too.

[paul austin]

I find Ian Nicolson's Boat Data Book very helpful for establishing the details of layouts.The diagrams cover most situations encountered when trying to make life comfortable in a boat shaped envelope.Much other useful information there too.

Thank you, John. I've never heard of that book so I'll check it out. What's interesting to me is so far no one said, Buy a set of plans to study them. Maybe plans leave plenty out for the discretion of the owner to decide what he wants.
I suppose you decide what you want to do below and then build a hull around it or you decide how much hull your budget can stand and then live with what you have as an interior.
Anyway, thanks for the post.
Paul A