FINISHING OUT A HULL
Taking a bare hull to a finished boat.
- GEOFF BURKE — AUGUST 31–SEPTEMBER 6
Good joinerwork is a subtle harmony of construction, use, and appearance. It is durable and need not be troublesome to build or maintain. Well done, it can lift the utilitarian into the realm of fine craftsmanship. With a myriad of angles, curves, stresses, and tensions to be taken into consideration, the job can be as complex and as much work as planking the hull. Not only does everything have to work properly and be strong, but it has to look right as well.
In this class, we will take the hull which was planked and ribbed in our TRADITIONAL LAPSTRAKE CONSTRUCTION course and fit and finish off all the necessary equipage to complete the boat. Students will fit risers, thwart seats, knees, and gunwales using a direct scribe procedure, where applicable, for the closest of fits. There will be an in-depth discussion of centerboard trunk designs and the eventual construction and fitting of this trunk and rudder. The tiller, the sizing of which can make or break the “feel” and handling of the boat, will receive special attention. You will make and mount gudgeons and pintles from rough castings using the English beach boat system. This system allows the helmsman to ship the rudder easily in a seaway while letting it ride up and over an obstruction. Students will also carefully set up the hull using the proper proportions between the oarlocks and seat so that it rows well. Oar and spar making will be covered, and an old boatbuilder’s trick of seasoning crotch wood for breasthooks in two hours will be revealed.
Throughout the week, not only will we be striving for fine joinerwork and close fits, but also care and introspection to achieve aesthetic viability. Pete Culler’s boats are well known for having a special grace and artistic value.We will endeavor in this class to capture that magic and produce an object not only of great utility, but of great beauty as well. This course has been scheduled to follow Geoff ’s TRADITIONAL LAPSTRAKE CONSTRUCTION course to enable those interested to take both weeks for a thorough look at traditional boatbuilding techniques, from laying the keel to making a set of oars. Previous woodworking experience is required for this course.
Tuition: $700
Note: This is a six-day course ending Saturday afternoon.