Fig. 26. Methods of sheathing

The launch might be called "carvel ribbon built," or nearly so, and it would have a displacement of 14 or 15 hundred-weight when fairly loaded. This weight would bring her down to the third W. L., as shown in the end sketch. To load her to the fourth W. L., would give her a load far beyond these figures. The sections had to be closely spaced, and the ribbons or slats let into the temporary section moulds before the outside boarding could be put on, the edges of the boarding being clinch fastened, as shown in the ribbon carvel, [Fig. 26]. Other styles of sheathing boats, as shown, are often used, but the Caroline was "ribbon carvel."

It is usual to lay off the sheer profile on a suitable floor, and line in the rebate line, scarf of stem, deadwoods, fork timbers, etc., making thin moulds of each member to be lined off, sawn, and bolted together. The section moulds, from which the boat derives its shape, are also laid off, and the planking, 3⁄8-in. thick, deducted when making them.

The stem, of crooked oak, was 21⁄4 in. thick by about 3 in., shaped as shown in [Fig. 24]. The fore deadwood was 21⁄2 in. thick, moulded about 3 in., and through-bolted to the stem and keel with 3⁄8-in. copper bolts; and the stern-post, 31⁄2 in. thick, was wrought to shape, as shown. The centre line of the shaft, as shown, is subject to alteration, since different makes of motors have different sizes of propellers and flywheels. The fork timbers were let into the stern-post, and carried the transom, wrought out of a flitch of elm 31⁄2 in. thick. The planking, of 3⁄8-in. cedar, was closely jointed and varnished, and secured to the ribbons. The timbers were of rock elm, 7⁄8 in. by 1⁄2 in., steamed and bent or sawn to shape, and through-fastened at the top and bottom edges of the planking. These were spaced on 71⁄2-in. centres, with two clinch nails into the ribbons between them. Three or four solid floorings should be worked into the motor space; fitting of the motor bed thwartships gives great support to the boat.

The thwarts were of oak, 8 in. wide and 1 in. thick, with the side seats, 7⁄8 in. thick, supported by turned legs of oak. The decks at each end should be of 1⁄2-in. oak or cherry reeded into 3 in. widths, and filled with marine glue. The covering board, 21⁄2 in. wide, with a nosing worked on the edges, and 1⁄2 in. thick, was carried by a clamp or binding stake, 21⁄2 in. by 5⁄8 in., through-fastened at every timber. The knees were of oak, 1 in. thick, about 10 in. on the foot by about 3 in. at the head, and through-fastened. A breast hook 2 in. thick should be fitted. The floor boards may be of 3⁄4-in. spruce, elm, or ash grating, as preferred. The centre of the motor was at No. 6 section, as indicated, the gasolene being stored in a strong tank under the forward deck, just high enough to feed by gravitation. After being cleaned off and sandpapered, a coat of good shellac varnish, may be followed, if desired, by three coats of best yacht varnish. The spacing of the sections was: No. 1, from face to stem, 1 foot 2 in.; No. 2, from No. 1, is 1 ft. 2 in., the other sections to No. 11 each 1 ft. 6 in.; No. 12 was 1 ft. 1 in. from No. 11 (see [Fig. 25]). The water-lines were 5 in. apart, and the buttock-lines, A and B, 1 ft. and 1 ft. 9 in. respectively from the middle line.

The boys followed these directions, and with the help of the following table, managed to get the boat ready to varnish and finish up. The following table, which refers more particularly to the section shown in [Fig. 25], shows the sheer lines, counting from L W L (low water line). While all the work and calculations regarding the plan had been already done, Mr. Gregg, who had watched the work's progress for a week, thought they should know the principles on which the craft was being built, and therefore advised them to examine the illustration and table, so that they would have some knowledge of the science required to build a boat intelligently. Fred and George did this, and were helped along by Walter, who seemed to have mastered the subject pretty thoroughly.

TABLE OF OFFSETS

StemSection Numbers
1234
ft.in.ft.in.ft.in.ft.in.ft.in.
Sheer heights above L.W.L. 17 16 15 141⁄8131⁄4
L.W.L. to rebate line 7 83⁄49 91⁄4
Half-breadths at gunwale81⁄4 1 31⁄81 91⁄2 2 11⁄8
Half-breadths at 4 W.L. 67⁄8111⁄218 201⁄2
Half-breadths at 3 W.L. 57⁄8115⁄8163⁄8111
Half-breadths at L.W.L. 43⁄893⁄8135⁄8183⁄4
Half-breadths at 1 W.L. 21⁄253⁄4101⁄213
Buttock A from L.W.L. 51⁄241⁄863⁄8
Buttock B from L.W.L. 3⁄8