What is a "Cheek"??

[Winingar]

On the pattern page for my stem assembly it shows the stem foot and the stem. There's an additional pattern on the page labeled *Cheek*.

???

Probably a stupid question but, where does it go?

[lazeyjack]

as I always umderstand it, piece placed on side of a member, permanent as in doublers, or removable as in the jaws of woodworkers vice, there may be colloquiel meanings
also can be a a peice on side of wooden jack plane

[alan white]

I'd think this set of pieces make lands for hood ends of planking. Stems can be built up or of-a-piece. If built up, the "cheek" pieces would be the outer pieces, perhaps wedge-shaped in section.

Alan

[RHP]

In short, a cheek is a support. Usually associated with gaff masts, the cheeks are knee shaped pieces of wood either side of the mast at the hounds which carry the trestle tree and the eyes in the end of the shrouds.

They are also the side pieces of blocks.

[PAR]

On a stem or in the forward sections of a keel, particularly when the forefoot is deep or the entry is fine, it's often necessary to provide "cheek" pieces. This is because of the low angle the planks land on the stem or keel. These are as Alan has suggested and are additional bearing areas attached to the sides of the stem and keel, which provide more "landing" for the hood ends of planking. Commonly these are made of the same stock as the stem or keel. The term cheek can found in several places in traditional building methods, rudder heads, gaff jaws, engine beds, etc.

[Winingar]

As usual, thanks you guys. You are awesome.

[lazeyjack]

Originally Posted by RHP;

In short, a cheek is a support. Usually associated with gaff masts, the cheeks are knee shaped pieces of wood either side of the mast at the hounds which carry the trestle tree and the eyes in the end of the shrouds.

They are also the side pieces of blocks.

no you mean chocks, mast chocks I think

[RHP]

I'll match your 5 and raise you ten by staying with my definition and saying chocks are those wedges that position/support the mast at the point where it passes through the deck? Assumes poker face and sits back........ ;-)


A lot of gaffer terminology is local to the part of the world where the boats were built and operated 100+ years ago. I was brought up in Hoylake, just outside Liverpool (UK) where we had a number of Morecambe Bay prawners (Nobbies) on the moorings and surrounding beaches with their own characteristics, folklore and ancient mariners still fishing them. My understanding of terms therefore comes from prawners off the beach moorings of Liverpool which may differ from other parts of the world.