Planking width?

[BHOFM]

I am getting ready to plank the transom on the boat.

It is 15"X36" and has a rake.

For pure ethicists what is the ideal width of the planking
and should I put a slight bevel on the seam edges to accent
the planks?

I have had it covered in random width planks and it looks
good that way.

It will be left natural and varnished.

What are the rules??

[TeddyDiver]

No excact rules btw 1'' to 1'.. better the planks, wider.. "betternes" depending of the quality of the timber and likes/dislikes of the builder :p So no help..:D
Nice work you doing (following your building thread).
Teddy

[BHOFM]

Thanks for the reply.

I used scrap from the framing and came up with this, which
I like! It is still full 1", I will plane it later.

As you can see, my material is near perfection! The pieces
with minor blems I have used as battens and the center
of the laminations!

Thanks again for your reply.

[alan white]

Belatedly, I would suggest quarter-sawn wood no matter what species you use, and in general go narrower if there's no curve across the transom.
A narrower board, like 6" wide, ensures the cauking won't be asked to stretch or compress too much, but some woods like cedar can be wider without problems (maybe 10").
I've seen oak used in wide pieces on flat transoms, which is asking for trouble if poorly maintained. There's a reason transoms are sometimes curved, and it isn't all for looks.

Alan

[BHOFM]

Thanks Alan;

The planks are 4,2,3 and 5", they are cedar, that is what
I have to work with.

The bottom board is backed up to a 5" wide frame member
and that should be about as far in the water as the transom
will get, I am just using paint or varnish between the boards,
they fit very nicely along the seam.

I bought a large stack of it, 1"X12"X12' rough cut, full
inch thick that was cut wrong, it was just 11 1/8" wide.
I paid $7 a piece and it is nearly all clear or just a few
small knots most of which don't show on the other side.

I can build several more small boats, or a lot of clocks!
:P :P :P

Thanks

Brad