Wooden boat floor

[Yarrow]

Another question from a beginner. Thw wooden boat which I am trying to complete has longitudinal stringers (fixed by the previous owner) along the sides, which I was told mark the line of the (missing) original floor. However, these stringers are not level fore and aft, but rise about two inches at each end from a low point in the centre. Would this have been usual in an old boat (1890's) or did the previous owner make a mistake?

 

[Mirelle]

Please excuse a little pedantry, but the bits you are referring to are the floorboards, the "floors" in a wooden boat are the members that join the frames across the keel.

In a decked boat, the floorboards become known as the "sole".

Having got that off my chest, its not unusual to find the floorboards rising slightly towards the ends; it gives you a little more floorspace, so to speak, and is not noticed when the boat is afloat because the sheerline rises towards the ends in the same way but a little more so.

 

[Woodlouse]

Not unusual at all for the trip to the focsle to be a tad up hill. What boat is it?

 

[Yarrow]

Thank you, both. Point taken about the terminology.The boat was a ferry on the Severn at Worcester, 18 feet, mahogany on oak ribs. It was abandoned about fifty years ago, rescued and partly restored by the previous owner. It appears to have been a power boat from the start, as there was no sign of any rowlocks or mast. In view of its early age, I wonder whether it was a steam launch originally, and I bought it with the intention of putting in steam plant.

 

[old_salt]

This sounds quite nice any chance of some photos. It will help to answer your queries.
Have a look here for the ybw photo tutor:- web page

 

[Yarrow]

I will try to get some decent photos. What would be suitable wood for the floors?