Boat of the week 9

Shell never float.

Seen at the Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building in Port Townsend.

A boat in two halves. This is the jig that students use to practise their skills in carvel and clinker (lapstrake given that its in the US) construction.
It emphasises the differences in the two techniques extremely well. The carvel side has stringers to which the frames are then bent (left of picture). On the clinker side the planks are shaped around the forms and the the ribs bent in afterwards (right of picture).
Ive never done this so I speak out of ignorance and conjecture but...
With traditional carvel construction the outside of the hull seems to be two steps removed from the lofted shape. The stringers are bent around the moulds (one step) then the frames are bent around the stringers (two steps). Then the planking is bent around this. And must then be faired. Its a lot of work to get a smooth hull!
In a clinker boat the planking touches the moulds. The picture one the left shows a mould on the right of frame but this is a bit deceptive. In a real boat build the mould is unlikely to be left in during planking. Though it would keep the shape of the shape of the boat and they could be removed one by one as the boat is timbered out (frames or ribs installed).
All that aside what really appeals to me about clinker is the structural redundancy (is that a term?) of it. All those (over)laps create a stiff, strong hull. Add in the ribs and the whole shape is tied together in an almost monocoque structure. The carvel side of this hull looks like its clinging on by its threaded fastenings, its planks barely acquainted.
I was lucky enough to be in Port Townsend on a Sunday when the shop was quiet and spent nearly two hours poring over the boats at the Northwest School but every time I saw something in a finished build I came back to the building jig to see how it was done.
What a great place to go to school.

Read More..

Boat of the week 8

Seen on the hard in Peter Clarkes Boatyard in West Mersea


This little yacht is just out of the water and has had its anti fouling pressure washed. Its a good opportunity to have a look at the details.
She has about 14 strakes per side and a bit of hollow near the transom creating some wine glass shape below the waterline. Other clinker yachts, like the folkboat, seem to avoid this. I imagine its quite hard to plank. The strakes are very narrow to create this hollow.
The transom is a chunky bit of timber and seems to drag slightly if the waterline paint is right. Its got a wonderful grain. If I see the boat again, out of the water, I might put a tape measure to the top plank on the transom - you dont often see boards that wide these days!

I cant quite tell where the planking ends and the keel/deadwood begins. My impression is the that the garboard strake is let in to the rabbet in the keel and that there appears to be a caulked seam.
Im guessing that the lowest seam in the photo above is from the keel to the deadwood. But Ill be happy to be corrected.

Read More..

International Cape Cutter Week 2015

The Cape Cutter 19 is a popular little gaff cutter that I designed for Nick Voorhoeve of Cape Cutter Yachts. Originally built in Cape Town and exported to UK, production moved to UK when Honnor Marine bought the company. Since then many boats have been built and rumour has it that the factory currently has a waiting list for boats to be built. In addition to more than 100 GRP boats, more than 60 have been or are being built by amateurs, from plywood.

Plywood Cape Cutter 19 "Tiptoe" built by Ian Allen in New Zealand.

This pretty little gaffer sails very well and has earned a very loyal following. Her character and sailing characteristics have resulted in bigger sisters coming off my drawing board as well, the Cape Henry 21 and Cape May 25. The Cape Charles 32 is now part way through the design process.

Earlier this year a group of GRP Cape Cutter 19s met in Cornwall to sail together in the first International Cape Cutter Week. After a successful event, they have now announced their plans for International Cape Cutter Week 2015, from 23-31 May 2015. The sailing area will be on the rivers and waters surrounding Suffolk Yacht Harbour on the River Orwell. For this event they hope to also have entries from Europe.


International Cape Cutter Week 2014 from Charles Erb on Vimeo.

If you have a Cape Cutter 19 or are building one and you are in UK or Western Europe, this is an event that you might consider as a holiday destination for next year. You will meet others with their boats, cruise in company, learn from each other and no doubt have a great time. I have been invited and hope to be able to be there. Time will tell whether or not that works out.

The 2014 event was enjoyed by all participants. The 2015 event is getting off to a great start, with three confirmed entries already.

To see more of this design and others from our office, please visit http://dixdesign.com/.

Read More..

Boat of the week 7

The Weymouth Ferry.

I wish I had a video of the ferryman ferrygliding this boat across the harbour. Effortless.
The design looks as if it was conceived before health and safety regulations forced the ferryman to overload the boat with life rings. Theres a very neat inner transom that snugly accommodates one ring. The others compete for space with paying passengers.

These boats earn their keep. Whilst they might just be a small extravagance (50p) for the grockles (South Coast for tourist) they also save a walk around the harbour. In the five minutes I watched £5 of trade went across the harbour. Not bad going.
There was only one running when I was there last week. I dont know if they all work in peak season.

Theyre wonderfully utilitarian. Have a look at the square section blue-painted seat posts. No fancy turned pillars here.

Read More..

Boat of the week 10

Seen at the London Boat Show.

A brand new Stirling and Son 9 clinker dinghy built by Will Stirling over the last 7 days. I left my visit to the boat show until nearly the end hoping to see Will finishing the planking. It seems he was much too quick for me! He wasnt even there when I visited the stand so I just took photographs and inspiration. The boat is timbered out and a stringer riser installed for the thwarts (I must find the name for this). This boat, and the gorgeous 14 sailing dinghy next to it, were rare treats at the boat show this year. Despite the economic crisis the show was once again dominated by enormous plastic motor boats. Its been a while since I went to the London show and it will be a few years until I go again. More power to the Stirlings elbows.

Read More..

Boat of the Week 6

Seen everywhere.

My favourite kind of boat: one thats for sale.

Other peoples boats are lovely but none are quite as full of spine-tingling potential as one that could be yours.
This particular ray of sunshine is in Port Townsend, Washington. Shes well-loved and comes complete with trailer at a very reasonable $4,000.
Im delighted that I cant get her in my luggage as otherwise I might be tempted.
Eleven narrow strakes per side, no clench nails, just roves.

Shes planked in an unspecified cedar over oak. The various types of "cedar" are used a lot in planking American boats. Ive used Western Red Cedar and Yellow Cedar (neither of which are "real" cedars) and compared with Larch they seem soft. I have to swallow my prejudices though because Nip N Tuc was built before the end of the Second World War and shows only a few signs of wear to the planking.
If I look that good at 68 Ill be delighted.

Read More..