The Hull May Now Be Painted
with two coats of good paint, and after it is dry may be turned over and allowed to rest on a number of round sticks, called rollers.
If you will examine [Fig. 221] you will see there
Twenty-Odd Ribs
These are what are called two-by-fours-that is, 2 inches thick by 4 inches wide. They support the floor of the cabin and forward locker, at the same time adding strength to the hull.
The ribs are each the same length as the end-board. A and A´ of [Fig. 219], are nailed in place in the same manner. Each bottom-rib must have a notch 2 inches deep cut in the bottom edge to allow the free passage of water, so as to enable you to pump dry. Commencing at the stern, the distance between the inside of the bumper and the first rib is 1 foot 6 inches. This is a deck-rib, as may be seen by reference to [Figs. 221] and [222]. After measuring 1½ foot from the bumper, on inside of side-board, mark the point with a carpenter's pencil. Measure the same distance on the centrepiece, and mark the point as before; then carefully fit your rib in flush or even with the top of the side-piece, and fasten it in place by nails driven through the side-board into the end of the rib, and toe-nailed to centrepiece. Do the same with its mate on the other side of centrepiece.
The Cabin of this House-Boat
is to fit in the space, A, B, D, C of the centrepiece, [Fig. 220]. There is to be a one-inch plank at each end (see [Fig. 222]), next to which the side-supports at each end of cabin fit. The supports are two-by-twos; so, allowing 1 inch for the plank and 2 inches for the upright support, the next pair of ribs will be just 3 inches from A B, [Fig. 220], of the centrepiece (see [Figs. 221] and [222]). The twin ribs at the forward end of the cabin will be the same distance from D C, [Fig. 220], as shown in the plan and elevation, [Figs. 221] and [222]. This leaves five pairs of ribs to be distributed between the front and back end of the cabin. From the outside of each end-support to the inside of the nearest middle-support is 2 feet 6 inches. Allowing 2 inches for the supports, this will place the adjoining ribs 2 feet 8 inches from the outside of the end-supports. The other ribs are placed midway between, as may be seen by the elevation, [Fig. 222].
There is another pair of