A SIMPLE PLANK-BUILT FLAT-BOTTOMED BOAT
Warning: Assume that what I shall describe is a death trap
and it is your look out if you go near the water in it but follow these
words as a mind experiment at least.
Flat-bottomed boats are pretty near the universal solution to
the problem of making a hole in the water and lining it with wood.
Begin
with boards or planks or plywood strips 16 inches (c40cm) in width by c14feet
by 1/4 to1/2 to3/4 inch thickness.
16
is better but if materials are difficult to get then follow the Nepalese plans.
If
you use two or more planks to the side then these can either be overlapped or
flush,
clinker or carvel its
your choice and not difficult at this scale. Either can be regarded as
authentic for Iron Roman and Dark Ages
Build it like a simple
double-ended skiff, that is pull in the front and rear, expand the middle and
fasten then bang on the bottom.
It is easy, honest.
Let the shape of the stem and stern and the midships mould/frame give you the
boat's shape which is a nice one.
Make
it wider and shallower like a Somerset Turf boat http://www.swmaritime.org.uk/article.php?articleid=269&atype=m
Complications
like gunwales and chine logs can be avoided but are beneficial.
Wrought
iron nails are a nice touch http://www.oldhousestore.co.uk/ is
one source of traditional nails.
Use pine tar or
substitute for coating the hull.
Authentic oars or paddle can be carved or laminated up.
Experiment
with a small square sail.
Models for our boat:
Fishing
boats for Nepal
http://www.fao.org/docrep/field/003/L3251E/L3251E00.htm
The 3.2 metre fishing
boat but see the comments in the plans that 4metres was preferred.
Building the DH Boat http://wwww.mcallen.lib.tx.us/staff/gm/dhboat1.htm
I like the methods but
ours should be a double-ender, use a three-legged stool rather than a bucket to
sit on
and
row as on 19th century Flatners.
See also pirogue plans
for ideas, try googling for sites.
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