Boat-Building and Boating

by Daniel Carter Beard

Fig. 197.—Details of bow, stern, seats, and finished boat.

The Seats

consist of a triangular one at the bow (J), the oarsman's seat (L), and the stern seat (K, [Fig. 197]). The bow seat is made of 1-inch boards nailed to two cleats shown at M ([Fig. 197]). N shows the bench for the stern seat and O explains the arrangement of the oarsman's seat a little forward amidship. As may be seen, it rests upon the cleats x (diagram O, [Fig. 197]), which are fitted between two upright cleats on each side of the boat; this makes a seat which will not slip out of place, and the cleats serve to strengthen the sides of the otherwise ribless boat. Make the cleats of 1 by 2 inch lumber and let the seat be about 12 inches wide. The stern seat may be wider, 1½ feet at K and 4 or 5 inches more at the long sides of the two boards each side of K ([Fig. 197]). Of course, it is not necessary to fit a board in against the stern-piece, for a cleat will answer the purpose, but a good, heavy stern-piece is often desirable and the board shown in diagram N ([Fig. 197]) will serve to add strength to the stern as well as to furnish a firm rest for the stern seat, but it will also add weight.

Fig. 198.

Fig. 199.—Fitting the skeg.

The Keel-Board

is an advisable addition to the boat, but may also be omitted without serious results (H, [Fig. 197]).