Position of beam/breadth

[Flysafe]

Hello everyone,

I wonder if anyone can help me with a question I have, which of the two terms is more appropriate beam or breadth?
On a boat like this picture where is the beam?
I Already checked on wikipedia but they have two ways for the same thing.
If someone could advise me a book or some kind of information which explains the beam on yachts, the problem is that I'm starting a new design and this boat has a very sharp angle.

Thank you all

[PAR]

Both beam and breadth mean width. The boat's beam is it's width and the breadth of the boat is also it's width.

How can it be, that you are starting a new boat (assumed) design and don't know what or where the beam is located?

[JRD]

Hi Flysafe

Maximum beam (breadth) tends to be at the sheerline (top). Then there is the maximum beam at the chine (sharp angle) and the waterline beam, which is not much different from th the beam at the chine as a rule. In reality these are all just offsets from centreline at various height which make up the 3D matrix which is any kind of boat, but the quoted beam is ussually the maximum.

This is for your model boat design, right? Im sure you will find all the definitions if you look long enough on google, or look for a book on power boat design,

Good luck with your design.

[viking north]

Breadth--is old English for beam as is vessel for boat, spars--stem--jumbo (big jib) canvas(sails) bum boat, donkey engine, and so on, common old terms used in my former homeland of NFLD,(Newfoundland). As previously posted beam is now used commonly in place of breadth. The term possibly derived from deck beam a cross sectional framing structure on a vessel I.E.whats the max length of her deck beams and to shorten it whats her max beam. Now days of course with more precise engineering one has to be more specific and the results are beam(meaning max. width at the sheer)(gunnels) , waterline beam, and if using chines likewise beam at the chines could be a term. Oh! forgot then there's MR. Beam--

A yacht is not determined by the vessel but by the care and love of her owner--

[Flysafe]

Hello everyone,

Thank you all for the replys.

Originally Posted by PAR

Both beam and breadth mean width. The boat's beam is it's width and the breadth of the boat is also it's width.

How can it be, that you are starting a new boat (assumed) design and don't know what or where the beam is located?

PAR you explained me what I already know, thanks.

Originally Posted by JRD

Hi Flysafe

Maximum beam (breadth) tends to be at the sheerline (top). Then there is the maximum beam at the chine (sharp angle) and the waterline beam, which is not much different from th the beam at the chine as a rule. In reality these are all just offsets from centreline at various height which make up the 3D matrix which is any kind of boat, but the quoted beam is ussually the maximum.

This is for your model boat design, right? Im sure you will find all the definitions if you look long enough on google, or look for a book on power boat design,

Good luck with your design.

JRD then the beam with 8 '6 " is the measure of the sheer line, if does not reference another point, my question came up because of the wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beam_%28nautical%29

Yes it is to make a design model.
I have been searching Google for an explanation of the term beam but all say more or less the same thing
"The Structural transverse member of a ship's frame, used to support the deck and to brace the sides against stress.
The breadth of the ship at the widest point.
The side of the ship "
Do you have a book name that you can give me? It would be a great help.

Originally Posted by viking north

Breadth--is old English for beam as is vessel for boat, spars--stem--jumbo (big jib) canvas(sails) bum boat, donkey engine, and so on, common old terms used in my former homeland of NFLD,(Newfoundland). As previously posted beam is now used commonly in place of breadth. The term possibly derived from deck beam a cross sectional framing structure on a vessel I.E.whats the max length of her deck beams and to shorten it whats her max beam. Now days of course with more precise engineering one has to be more specific and the results are beam(meaning max. width at the sheer)(gunnels) , waterline beam, and if using chines likewise beam at the chines could be a term. Oh! forgot then there's MR. Beam--

A yacht is not determined by the vessel but by the care and love of her owner--

Viking north
Thanks a lot for your explanation, I understand better the meaning.
Mr. Beam of course very important really like to see him work


Thanks a lot for you kindness.

[gonzo]

Wikipedia is not the best source of information. Except for usually being at the top, it is suspect for accuracy.

[PAR]

Wikipedia usually gets the basics right, but can be off on the details, unless of course it's about Sara Palin's latest gaff . . .

[Flysafe]

gonzo I agree with you about the information from wikipedia

PAR My question come up because of the various definitions that wikipedia gave.

I do not need to look at the basics in wikipedia, I'm a little further than the basics, that's why I do my questions here, and only when I can not find anything anywhere.

Thank you all.

[Ike]

Actually various comparisons of Wikipedia and well known encyclopedias such as Britannica have shown that Wikipedia is actually just as accurate http://news.cnet.com/2100-1038_3-5997332.html

What Flysafe needs to do is go to the library and get a book on Naval Architecture or Yacht Design to learn the terms.

[Flysafe]

Hello Ike,

Thanks for your reply.

My problem is not with the terms themselves but sometimes with the position they occupy in the boat, as you can see the response of the JRD gave, there is a amount of beams and the of information from wikipedia shows two different things, hence my question did come.

Your idea is very good to buy a good book then give me a few titles for small yacht please, as you know there a lot and I have to buy through the Internet.

Thank you.

[rasorinc]

http://www.glen-l.com/building-your-...here-to-start/ Click on Gossary of Terms

[Ike]

Principles of Yacht Design by Lars Larsson and Rolf E Eliasson. International Marine, 1994.

You can get it through Amazon

[viking north]

Flysafe--don't concentrate on knowing and getting all these boatbuilding nautical terms down pat. Get the few hull term basics down: length, beam, waterline, bow, stern, bilge, keel, deadrise, entry, exit, displacement, ballast, and a few associated with the superstructure and basic sloop standing and running rigging terms. As you read and work with these craft you'll pick up the other names thru osmosis and look up new un known names. As a new person in the field you will overwhelm yourself Better to spend that time learning how to build something basic. Hey being Portugese it's genetic-- the greatest seafarers and navagitors on earth ask any Newfoundlander ---Geo.

[jehardiman]

FWIW, I was taught that the "Breadth" of the vessel was more of a legal term along with the "Length on Deck" and "Depth of Hold" that were involved in the historical formulation of the tonnage measurement. The Breadth of a vessel was the widest part of the hull, measured from the inside of the shell planking or frame face. This is why it is called the "Half-Breadth Plan", because the lines drawing would be to the outside face of the frame that would be lofted, the shell applied after the frames were setup.

"Beam" on the other hand, was any athawartships mesurement. Moulded Beam was identical to the Breadth. Maximum Beam was the maximum width across the outside of the vessel including shell, wales, sponsons and wings (and today excludes all moveable rigging items such as gangways and davits). Spared Beam or Extreame Beam includes the spars and moveable items. Similarly, Waterline Beam is the maximum width of the vessel at the waterline.

[viking north]

Jehardiman-- sounds good to me--legal terms generally being expressed in old English -- as an example i have included documentation of my Great/Great/Great Grandfathers vessel (a heel tapper schooner) he built in Newfoundland and registered with the British Admirality--legal tems and old English for sure--Geo.

P.S. you might have to enlarge to read

A yach is not defined by the vessel but by the care and love of her owner--