Glued Lapstrake

[Jim Herbert]

I am hauling my old boat down from Lk Superior this Fall and it will be several more years before my new project boat is ready to go back up.

I need to build a little day sailer in the interim. A Gaff Rigged Cutter. Double Ender. Lapstake. A pretty little boat that will make me forget that I can't afford a Westsail 32 or 43.

I have ordered study plans from Selway Fisher in the UK for such a 16 ft boat.

For complete plans I have to decide whether to order the strip plank version plans or the Lapstrake version plans.

I have built strip planked boats but I would like to try plywood Lapstrake. I would want to glue the lapstrake. I would want a nice painted final appearance.

I would welcome opinions as to whether the seams should be clamped, screwed or stitched. Also whether I should glass the hull. Finally, this boat could be left in the water, I know West 407 filler shouldn't be used below the waterline. Is there a better seam filler short of silica?

P.S. What's your favorite glued Lapstrake reference book?

Jim Herbert
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