Order of work

[tidclacy]

Having just acquired an old 11 foot Clinker built Burnham Scow for restoration I am wondering in what sequence to carry out the work. I am comparatively new to major work and hope to learn a lot while working on her. She needs most of her fastening renewed. Lots of her planking needs replacement/repair. I reckon I will also need to replace the transom and most of her ribs. If she never returns to the water it will not matter as the main object is to hone my skills through trial and error.

My gut feeling is that I do the planks first followed by the nails and roves then the ribs and finally the transom. Would this be the correct order or can any one suggest a better way.

 

[sarabande]

Loads of information and expertise here,



http://www.woodenboat.com/wbmag/getting-started/index.html

with a very lively forum.

 

[JesseLoynes]

I'd suggest the other way round. Do the transom and ribs first to put strength and the correct shape into the hull, then do the planking and refastening. That way the new planking will be fitted to the correct shape, and it doesn't matter how much damage you do whilst steaming in new ribs. If you do want to do the planking first, I'd suggest very carefully checking the shape, and maybe even adding some extra bracing or frames to make sure the shape stays correct as you put the new planks in.

But as with all things wooden boat, there is a dozen different ways to do every job, and a logical argument for every method!

 

[peter radclyffe]

buy clinker boatbuilding, by john leather

 

[Woodlouse]

When you build clinker the ribs go in last. The plankings usually done on a jig. Personally, I'd do as you originally thought, planks first, then refasten, then ribs. The transom can be done at any point really.

 

[KenMcCulloch]

When you build clinker the ribs go in last. The plankings usually done on a jig. Personally, I'd do as you originally thought, planks first, then refasten, then ribs. The transom can be done at any point really.

Quite so, but this is not a new build on moulds. I think Jesse's advice is sound. Replacing the ribs will keep the shape and allow planks to be removed and replaced without changing the original shape of the boat.

 

[cliffordpope]

Also bear in mind that you will probably end up replacing a lot more planks than first envisaged. Some will be more damaged than you thought, some will look OK but will get damaged as you pull adjacent planks. You will also need to have in mind an "acceptable damage level". No plank will be perfect, so unless you are going to replank and re-rib and re-transom (= new boat?) you will need to draw a balance. There's no point in starting off a perfectionist and then realising you have pulled your nice boat to pieces, nor in accepting planks as sound which you later realised you ought to have replaced.

To keep up morale and enthusiasm I would do the ribs first and replace the worst of the planks, then enjoy the boat for a season, then re-assess next year and maybe do some more planks.
You're not going to lose the boat in mid-Atlantic for want of proper maintenance. A bit of stopping and some tar will give you fun and woodworking experience.