dgadee
Well-Known Member
Have just made a new acrylic washboard and was intending to cut it into two pieces, but not so sure now I shouldn't just have it as one piece. Are there disadvantages of this? It is around 2 foot square.
One or two piece washboard(s)?
- Thread starter dgadee
- Start date
Bobc
Well-Known Member
If you cut it into 2 pieces, you can put the bottom one in when it's raining or in heavy weather, which keeps the water out of the boat but still enables you to get in and out easily.
If you are going to cut it, set the cutting blade at an angle, to stop water getting through the cut. Also fit a little bolt to the bottom piece so that it can't fall out if the boat gets pinned over.
If you are going to cut it, set the cutting blade at an angle, to stop water getting through the cut. Also fit a little bolt to the bottom piece so that it can't fall out if the boat gets pinned over.
Bobc
Well-Known Member
If you cut it into 2 pieces, you can put the bottom one in when it's raining or in heavy weather, which keeps the water out of the boat but still enables you to get in and out easily.
If you are going to cut it, set the cutting blade at an angle, to stop water getting through the cut. Also fit a little bolt to the bottom piece so that it can't fall out if the boat gets pinned over.
If you are going to cut it, set the cutting blade at an angle, to stop water getting through the cut. Also fit a little bolt to the bottom piece so that it can't fall out if the boat gets pinned over.
Tranona
Well-Known Member
You can argue for both. Bobc points out the advantages of 2 piece - plus they are easier to handle. Downside is possible storage problems depending on your boat. Worth putting a timber batten on the upper board to cover the downward sloping join. On my boat I have the bottom board smaller than the top so still get the benefits of potentially keeping water out but still allowing access.
prv
Well-Known Member
As Bob says, with two parts you can put the bottom part in on its own in rough weather. This is important on our new boat, as it has a "modern" convenient companionway where the sill is only a couple of inches above the cockpit sole. In fact, according to the letter of the MCA chartering code, the bottom board is supposed to be in place at all times at sea, and has a label to that effect (which I'm sure was hardly ever obeyed).
However, at two feet square, you must have a good seamanlike bridge deck already, so this is less important.
The other reason for cutting in half is that it may make stowage easier - again, with a smaller board, possibly not such a problem for you.
A simple beveled cut is unlikely to be totally effective at keeping windblown rain out. Better is a routed overlap of about half an inch. But of course this requires the extra length to have been built into the board from the start, you can't do it once the overall shape has been cut out. In fact the same applies to the simple cut - you'll lose 3mm or so from the width of your saw blade, which may or may not matter to you.
(Someone will probably point out that instead of the overlap you can add an external lip of wood or offcut plastic, which is true.)
Up to you whether you cut it or not, but provided your sill isn't so low that you risk waves getting below in merely rough conditions (as opposed to survival storm, when you'd have both boards in anyway) I think there's a couple of good arguments for keeping it in one piece.
Pete
However, at two feet square, you must have a good seamanlike bridge deck already, so this is less important.
The other reason for cutting in half is that it may make stowage easier - again, with a smaller board, possibly not such a problem for you.
A simple beveled cut is unlikely to be totally effective at keeping windblown rain out. Better is a routed overlap of about half an inch. But of course this requires the extra length to have been built into the board from the start, you can't do it once the overall shape has been cut out. In fact the same applies to the simple cut - you'll lose 3mm or so from the width of your saw blade, which may or may not matter to you.
(Someone will probably point out that instead of the overlap you can add an external lip of wood or offcut plastic, which is true.)
Up to you whether you cut it or not, but provided your sill isn't so low that you risk waves getting below in merely rough conditions (as opposed to survival storm, when you'd have both boards in anyway) I think there's a couple of good arguments for keeping it in one piece.
Pete
doug748
Well-Known Member
I had a small boat with a similar sized, one piece, washboard.
Storage was above the quarter berth where it was out of the way, secured by a turnbuckle. It worked rather well, I liked it.
Storage was above the quarter berth where it was out of the way, secured by a turnbuckle. It worked rather well, I liked it.
Rigger Mortice
N/A
Totally effective, probably not. However, mine have a 45 degree bevel and I have never had a problem with rain coming through. If the bevel is done reasonably accurately then there is no gap to allow water, or draughts through. It's also neater than an rebatted overlap and, if the edge is polished, it becomes nearly invisible.
In answer to the OP...I prefer split washboards. They are more versatile and, on my boat it is easier to store two halves. They are also lighter and a little easier to handle, which can make life a little easier when things are bumpy. 12mm (or is it 10mm; can't remember!) acrylic is relatively heavy.
We frequently have just one board in when we are underway. Me in the cockpit, with SWMBO down below out of wind and rain! We can still talk to eachother.
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Achillesheel
Well-Known Member
We had two piece washboards, but the latest version is in three pieces. Being a small boat we find it easier to stow three, and you have even more flexibility in port or in dodgy weather.
Easier to handle as well.
I'd alo endorse the idea of cutting them with a 45 deg bevel, for drainage.
Easier to handle as well.
I'd alo endorse the idea of cutting them with a 45 deg bevel, for drainage.
dgadee
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the comments. I think I will keep it one piece and - if it's a nuisance - cut it in two at a later date.
LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
Another vote for two.
At anchor / marina you can lock up and leave the bottom one out for ventilation on a hot summers day / night and still be secure.
At anchor / marina you can lock up and leave the bottom one out for ventilation on a hot summers day / night and still be secure.
theotter
Well-Known Member
Love it! 7 responses, 6 in favor of more than one wash board (for some very sound reasons) and the OP still opts for the one piece version. I guess that's democracy!
Another point is, do you have the head height to get a one piecer in and out with a spray hood up?
rogerthebodger
Well-Known Member
Thats a good point but if the OP hatchway has tapered slides like mine you don't need much head room.
LittleSister
Well-Known Member
Or bin the washboards and make a nice pair of doors!
aquaplane
Well-Known Member
The sliding door on the Espace is a different solution.
fergie_mac66
Well-Known Member
learn to play the one piece washboard http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wWnasOqAn4 before you graduate to the 2 piece
prv
Well-Known Member
Even with my half-inch overlap, when I was on the boat a few weeks ago with a strong breeze and rainstorm up the chuff, I was watching water droplets force their way nearly to the top of the joint through a combination of wind pressure and capillary action. I wasn't envisaging gaping gaps for the wind to blow through, but water is pretty good at squeezing through small cracks. Not sure why an overlap is considered not neat - admittedly mine isn't ideal as I didn't take the time to properly polish it (I did a little bit so I knew it was possible, but I wanted to get the boards back in the same day) but it certainly could be brought back to full transparency if I could be bothered. The original (cracked) boards had an overlap that was transparent and not really noticeable.
All somewhat irrelevant since the OP has decided to leave it in one piece though
Pete
