Hello

[bayliving]

Hello everyone I stumbled on you alls forum while researching the Ches. Bay deadrise. and what a great forum. I am researching to build a scaled down replica of a work boat and wanted make sure it is built in the same way as the original not just to look like one or at least as close as i can get it in scale. So if anybody has any input pls let me know. thanks

[safewalrus]

Hey, Bay

Welcome to the forum, great little place to get insulted at (you even gets to learn things too!) Very little knowledge of the 'Bay' myself save that it's crawling with maritime history (and for a country with little or no 'History' that's rare indeed ) and theres some good stuff come out of it. Best of luck with the project, keep us posted we're extremely interested

[marshmat]

Welcome aboard!
I'll just second what Walrus said... do keep us posted on the workboat project, this kind of thing is always really fun to follow.

[PAR]

Actually there is a considerable amount of information available on the working boats of the Chesapeake. I grew up there, where there are a number of museums, books, notables and examples to be found. Pick up a copy of Howard Chapelle's "American Small Sailing Craft" at one of the used book sellers. This is a good start and introduction into the varied vessels that worked the many rivers, creeks and tidal basin of the bay. Contact the museums starting with the one in St. Michaels, MD. Bayliving, are you David?

[bayliving]

Thanks guys. to the last post this is David your info has been very helpful. I did recieve mr chapelle's boat building today from the library still waiting on american small sailing craft. I was leaning more toward the inboard powered work boat but now since conversations with you looking at the skipjack and the info out there for it i may go that way. thank you

[PAR]

Hi David,

Powerboats in those old hull forms were usually conversions from sail craft, early on and they displayed some of the flaws I mentioned in the last email. Most of the flat bottomed boats were file planked (cross planked). These didn't hold up well (leaked quickly after building) against the increased torsional twisting brought on with ever increasing HP production from engines. Eventually fore and aft bottom planking replaced file planks on the bottom, though sailing variants still used cross planks to save time and materials during construction. You'll find much to enjoy in American Small Sailing Craft and many plans (though some are quite small) laced throughout the book.

Give me a shout when you have narrowed down your wish list.

Paul