Thread: Carvel or Clinker????

Some questions regarding the durability of construction.
Ease of maintenance.
Repair costs
Aesthetics
Is one method of construction better than the other, for a boat that will be used in fresh water?
Any ideas,comments greatly appreciated.

Nick

Originally Posted by Utey

Some questions regarding the durability of construction.
Ease of maintenance.
Repair costs
Aesthetics
Is one method of construction better than the other, for a boat that will be used in fresh water?
Any ideas,comments greatly appreciated.

Nick

Type of material wood or ply for the clinker?

As a traditional wood construction is worlds away from my boat building skill I am limited to the following ply types.

I would go for a glued lapstrake(clinker) design. Depends a lot on the size, I'm assuming you are talking up to 20'.

For smaller simpler stitch and glue is hard to beat say up to 15-16'.

Don't believe fresh or salt makes a lot of difference.

Give us a bit more info, hang on am I correct that you have been looking at putt putts?

Hello.

Wooden construction.
Yes been looking for putt putt.
Carvel planked in clear varnish might be for sale, that's why interested.
Nick

Nick, I reckon the condition of the boat is going to be of greater importance than the method of construction. Restoring/repairing an old boat is always going to be a drama so the trick is to carefully choose your dramas.

Just get one in good nick and be done with it.

You could build one of David Payne's boats. For example, the Yellowtail at 14', was based on old Sydney Harbour work boats and can be built as a putt putt - the sister boat to my Yellowtail was built as one, mine was built as a sailing boat. No, it's not an old, restored boat but it looks the same, is easier to look after (plywood, glued lapstrake - lives on a trailer happily) and is probably less work than your average restoration. You've been looking for awhile now and with determination, could have had a Yellowtail on the water in that time. David's larger boats can be built the same way - tradiontally inspired hulls with the ability to take an inboard or an outboard or a sail or a combination.

Richard

Carvel is easily recognized as easier to build and repair then clinker (glued or regular). As for durability, both are good, but have their draw backs like anything else. Without a little more definition from your questions (narrow the focus a bit) you're not going to get much more the generic answers.

Modern interpretations of these traditional building methods can improve many aspects of them. Using plywood planking instead of solid wood can stabilize moisture gain/lose. Using glued laps instead of fastening can eliminate frames, floors and stringers. The list can be extensive, so do you have a particular design or model you're interested in? What are your reservations about how it's built?