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This thread is a follow on from a thread I raised in Designs/Plans last year...see extract below...
"I have just come across photographs/information on this boat (miscellaneous threads) in my search for anything on the 'Lorelei' catboat (c.1915) because it has enthralled my mind as did 'Melonseed' a few years ago. Readers might remember that I did a build thread on the 16' Melonseed (Mallard) with lots of photographs (around 2007). Anyway, I was wondering if anyone can supply additional detailed information, dimensions, etc. I have the table of offsets but they are difficult to read due to pixilation. I really do fancy building one of these beautiful boats but it may end up more as a tribute to Gil Smith rather than a dedicated replica. For instance, I only have an 18' shed to build in so straight away I would reduce this catboat length to 2/3 (16'6") of the original (c. 25').
Now that I have cleared my 'boat shed' (by selling my MGRV8 sports car), I have been able to make a start on a replica of the Gil Smith catboat "Lorelei" at a scale of 2/3 the size of the original (now housed in the Long Island Maritime Museum, West Sayville, New York State). I was very fortunate to be noticed by a gentleman (Tom) who is a voluntary worker in that very museum. He has been instrumental in my being able to get this far because he has supplied many photographs/measurements and information about the original (1915) craft. If you wish to catch up on the detail then go to the thread mentioned above.
Anyone who considers themselves knowledgeable/expert should look away now and find some better reading because I do not profess to be anywhere near the mark when it comes to knowledge in the art of boat building and rely heavily on my gift of being able to 'eyeball' problems. Those with similar gifts will know what I am talking about. Others may become appalled at some of my methods which border on the art of the 'bodger' because I tend to stray from the plan from time to time and occasionally ignore the existence of measuring instruments. However, the fact is that for this build I have no actual plan or useful drawings other than the line drawings/table of offsets I found on the internet. I failed miserably in trying to properly loft this boat, for a number of reasons, and have ended up with the idea of lofting in a three dimensional way as I progress with the build which in turn has lead to some trauma. Let's just say that no one should try this method at home!
Having said all that, you will see that I have made a start and when I am finished I hope to have a craft that will at least look like the Gil Smith catboat named ''Lorelei". For those of you who might be tempted to repeat the exercise, I'm afraid that I will not be able to supply plans to help you because there are none and this is going to be very much a one off exercise. If you're all happy with that then please be my guest...and don't be too shocked at any of my way out methods or lack of boating vocabulary. I may often refer to the odd 'thingy' or 'what's it' in my ramblings but don't hesitate to put me on an even keel when this happens. All I can say is...Jim Ledger...eat your heart out. Seriously though, that man enthrals me and I have to say that he is surely our 21st century Gil Smith, and then some. If you don't believe me, go wallow in the thread entitled 'Lofting the Brewer Catboat'. Don't let it put you off having a go at boatbuilding though, he is a master craftsman and only a fewpeople could follow in his footsteps. Now then Jim, after that tirade on your awesome craft skills, you'll be wondering just what to buy me for my next birthday present!!!
Let's get back to the plot : The 'boat shed' you see in the pictures below is the one I used to build Mark Barto's gaff rigged 16' Melonseed Skiff way back in 2007 and you can still see the marks on the floor where her hardback stood. The working area is very tight (18'x10' overall) but I will manage. Lastly, for anyone who gets hung up on this build...you will have to bear with me as I pursue various other activities. So, there might be some fair gaps between posts but I will try and cover most of the activity with photographs as we progress. Once again I have to say that this is not master class boatbuilding but proof, maybe, that anyone can have a go and perhaps end up with a boat that sails well and safely. What more could you ask than to sail in a wooden boat that you have built from scratch?
I took the bull by the horns recently and drove down to a small lumberyard in Essex where I bought 113 metres of Western Red Cedar. I was allowed to choose my own pieces from a large number of planks and got some very nice pieces at a good price. The planks range from 9 to 12 feet in length and are 70mm wide x 20mm thick, so I can convert each one to 9 quarter inch strips. I have ordered a couple of sets of 1/4 inch cove and bead router cutters...from your side of the pond as they are less than half the price for them over here. Yes, I hear you say that I am cutting things a bit thin with regard to hull thickness but I am determined to give it a go. The idea is to use modern methods and materials to build a fairly light but strong boat. The main thing is for the finished boat to look, unmistakeably, like the Gil Smith catboat 'Lorelei'... and I will be well enough pleased with that.
"I have just come across photographs/information on this boat (miscellaneous threads) in my search for anything on the 'Lorelei' catboat (c.1915) because it has enthralled my mind as did 'Melonseed' a few years ago. Readers might remember that I did a build thread on the 16' Melonseed (Mallard) with lots of photographs (around 2007). Anyway, I was wondering if anyone can supply additional detailed information, dimensions, etc. I have the table of offsets but they are difficult to read due to pixilation. I really do fancy building one of these beautiful boats but it may end up more as a tribute to Gil Smith rather than a dedicated replica. For instance, I only have an 18' shed to build in so straight away I would reduce this catboat length to 2/3 (16'6") of the original (c. 25').
Now that I have cleared my 'boat shed' (by selling my MGRV8 sports car), I have been able to make a start on a replica of the Gil Smith catboat "Lorelei" at a scale of 2/3 the size of the original (now housed in the Long Island Maritime Museum, West Sayville, New York State). I was very fortunate to be noticed by a gentleman (Tom) who is a voluntary worker in that very museum. He has been instrumental in my being able to get this far because he has supplied many photographs/measurements and information about the original (1915) craft. If you wish to catch up on the detail then go to the thread mentioned above.
Anyone who considers themselves knowledgeable/expert should look away now and find some better reading because I do not profess to be anywhere near the mark when it comes to knowledge in the art of boat building and rely heavily on my gift of being able to 'eyeball' problems. Those with similar gifts will know what I am talking about. Others may become appalled at some of my methods which border on the art of the 'bodger' because I tend to stray from the plan from time to time and occasionally ignore the existence of measuring instruments. However, the fact is that for this build I have no actual plan or useful drawings other than the line drawings/table of offsets I found on the internet. I failed miserably in trying to properly loft this boat, for a number of reasons, and have ended up with the idea of lofting in a three dimensional way as I progress with the build which in turn has lead to some trauma. Let's just say that no one should try this method at home!
Having said all that, you will see that I have made a start and when I am finished I hope to have a craft that will at least look like the Gil Smith catboat named ''Lorelei". For those of you who might be tempted to repeat the exercise, I'm afraid that I will not be able to supply plans to help you because there are none and this is going to be very much a one off exercise. If you're all happy with that then please be my guest...and don't be too shocked at any of my way out methods or lack of boating vocabulary. I may often refer to the odd 'thingy' or 'what's it' in my ramblings but don't hesitate to put me on an even keel when this happens. All I can say is...Jim Ledger...eat your heart out. Seriously though, that man enthrals me and I have to say that he is surely our 21st century Gil Smith, and then some. If you don't believe me, go wallow in the thread entitled 'Lofting the Brewer Catboat'. Don't let it put you off having a go at boatbuilding though, he is a master craftsman and only a fewpeople could follow in his footsteps. Now then Jim, after that tirade on your awesome craft skills, you'll be wondering just what to buy me for my next birthday present!!!
Let's get back to the plot : The 'boat shed' you see in the pictures below is the one I used to build Mark Barto's gaff rigged 16' Melonseed Skiff way back in 2007 and you can still see the marks on the floor where her hardback stood. The working area is very tight (18'x10' overall) but I will manage. Lastly, for anyone who gets hung up on this build...you will have to bear with me as I pursue various other activities. So, there might be some fair gaps between posts but I will try and cover most of the activity with photographs as we progress. Once again I have to say that this is not master class boatbuilding but proof, maybe, that anyone can have a go and perhaps end up with a boat that sails well and safely. What more could you ask than to sail in a wooden boat that you have built from scratch?
I took the bull by the horns recently and drove down to a small lumberyard in Essex where I bought 113 metres of Western Red Cedar. I was allowed to choose my own pieces from a large number of planks and got some very nice pieces at a good price. The planks range from 9 to 12 feet in length and are 70mm wide x 20mm thick, so I can convert each one to 9 quarter inch strips. I have ordered a couple of sets of 1/4 inch cove and bead router cutters...from your side of the pond as they are less than half the price for them over here. Yes, I hear you say that I am cutting things a bit thin with regard to hull thickness but I am determined to give it a go. The idea is to use modern methods and materials to build a fairly light but strong boat. The main thing is for the finished boat to look, unmistakeably, like the Gil Smith catboat 'Lorelei'... and I will be well enough pleased with that.
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