Friendship sloop sheer planks

[Brutus the sailor]

Question for the Forum. How are the sheer planks built in a Friendship sloop? The planks according to Chappelle's book are two inches thick and the steam bent frames are let into the outer edge of them. The inboard edge receives the deck beams. These sheer planks are two inches thick or more and contribute greatly to the boats longevity. I think the decking covers them. I'm not sure how they get all those scarfed planks to follow the sweep of the sheer. Anyone see how this was/is done?

thanks,
Bru.

[Jay Greer]

While I have no first hand knowledge as to how it was done, I think I would first make a spiled pattern and fit it to the boat, taking marks at each frame station as to the bevel. I would then scarf up a full length plank, lay on the pattern, cut the sheer sweep top and bottom and then plane the bevel. Edge setting planks is a no no in my book. There are other ways, this is just one quick one off the top of my head.
JG

[oakman]

"frames are let into the outer edge of them. The inboard edge receives the deck beams."

Not quite seeing this unless we are talking about a covering board and not a sheer plank

[capnharv]

He has several illustrations of that particular joint.

On Amie, the sheer plank is just that-I believe we used 1-1/8 by 6" yellow cedar for the plank.

What I think you're talking about (at least that's how Amie is built) is called a harpin (that's what Eric Hvalsoe called it). It's a 2-3" thick deck plank, about 10-12" wide.The outboard edge of it fits up against the sheer plank and is notched for the frames. It literally reduces the number of deck beams to 2-3 (It's as wide as the side decks). The deck then goes over it.

I believe Roger Duncan said that it provided so much strength it was like a second keel.

Also, check out FSS.org (the Friendship Sloop Society web site). You can ceratinly find more knowledgeable people there.

Have fun.

Harvey

Are you rebuilding, starting from scratch or just curious?

[oakman]

Also obviously not familiar with Friendship construction. Thanks, makes sense now.

[johngsandusky]

My Pemaquid replica has a clamp and shelf like many sailboats.

[Brutus the sailor]

Chappelle actually calls it a sheer timber to differentiate it from the plain ol' sheer plank. The back side of the sheer plank may actually touch the edge of this heavy plank. It is said that it acts like a second keel since it lends so much strength to the structure.

I couldn't figure out how to build the sheer's curve into the top of it any normal way. I may have to go over to the FSS website and get down to the bottom of this.

As to my purpose: I want a scratch built Muscongus Bay Sloop. A small centerboard version of a Friendship sloop. Those persons that have built these old working craft always have good things to say about the sailing qualities of this type.

thanks for the input guys,
B

[Tanbark Spanker]

Then you got your fashion piece.

[capnharv]

John,

Was your replica built to the Wooden boat plans by Jay Hanna? Those plans show a clamp and shelf and lots of deck beams.

Brutus, I believe there are a couple of Muscongus Bay smacks around. I think the Maine Maritime Museum has one. There was also one for sale a few years ago.

The Muscongus Bay Smack isn't as graceful as a Friendship, but I still love them.

Harvey

[johngsandusky]

Cap, I think it may have been. It was built before WB, but I once telephoned the builder, he had some memory of the plan source, but not much. I'm learning all about her now, as I do some extensive repairs.

[holzbt]

John,
Do you recall the name of the builder. When I was a kid there was a 25' Friendship sloop on the Great South Bay. It was built by a man who was a commercial baker and he had gotten the plans out of the American Small Sailing Craft book.

[johngsandusky]

Mine was built in Maine, 1969-70, by two brothers named Backman. I spoke to Herman, the brother that finished her. He was a lobsterman, and a builder of lobster boats. I don't think she ever berthed on Long Island prior to 1998, when I brought her down from Ct. I think she was always in New England. I believe there are two in Mattituck though.