Thread: Interior Design of Yachts

The interiors of some of the old barges which used to ply the canals of England are very similar to gypsy caravans of the period.

Just about everything you can think of in the 19th and early 20th centuries took cues from nautical design elements. This is simply because the most high tech things of the era(s) would have been a war ship. In the early and mid 19th century this would have been a wooden, sailing vessel, though towards the end of that century a steel hull, wooden deck and interior.

The height of design and engineering skill was employed in these creations, which naturally carried down into pleasure yachts and other industries, such as railroad cars, aircraft, etc.

In these "golden age" pleasure craft, the loftiness and execution of upper class tastes where common displays of social status and wealth. Yachting by it's very nature was not a game for the common man (as so it remains today), so it stands to reason that a well stylized interior of anything, would seem to emulate the interior of a fine yacht.

To this day, if I had the resources, I'd have the grand stair case and dinning hall from the Titanic built, as the foyer to my new home. An opulent statement for sure, but one hell of an entry way. I've had the luxury of seeing the remains of the Olympic's grand stairway (sister to Titanic) and it's outstandingly gorgeous.

Howdy, IT is hard to find information about that era of yacht interiors. Joints were still used and boat joints are much stronger and better developed than most of the woodworking joints we see now.

The factor was that there were very few glues that would handle that environment at the time, so a mix of joints and fastenings.

ARound WWII there started to be some effective marine glues and the joinery continued for a little time before it was superseded by more and more glue and fastener joins without the fancy joinery.

I think going over your friend's caravan with a camera for a couple of hours would probably uncover more information than you could find in books.

Might be wrong ... be interesting to hear if there is any info recorded.

MIK

Excuse my delay in posting -- a lot of recent life interventions and a busted computer. Thanks for your replies.
I'm about to visit my local library, where they have a copy of 'The English Gypsy Caravan' by Denis Harvey -- I've been told that this is THE Bible on caravan construction and should have the info I need.