Build: Sucher low power skiff/launch question?

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by Murky Deep, Dec 19, 2020.

  1. Murky Deep
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    Murky Deep Junior Member

    I’ve started setting up the frames for a small skiff from Suchers book on flat bottom boats. Do I have to use all the stations? I swear I read here that I could just use the odd or even numbered stations for the jig.
     
  2. bajansailor
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    bajansailor Marine Surveyor

    A few questions Murky -
    What is your station spacing?
    What construction method - will she have a plywood bottom and sides, or timber planks, perhaps lapstrake, or ??
    What is the plywood or timber thickness?
    And what size timber are you using for your frames?

    Have you got a drawing or sketch of your Sucher skiff that you can post on here please?
     
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  3. Murky Deep
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    Murky Deep Junior Member

    The boat will be plywood. 1x4 frames
     
  4. Mr Efficiency
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    Mr Efficiency Senior Member

    When you say the jig, do you mean something that won't end up being part of the boat ? Whilst it may be possible to define the shape of the boat with less frames, having less frames than designed to be in the finished product, is hardly advisable.
     
  5. Murky Deep
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    Murky Deep Junior Member

    It’s from an old book and doesn’t specifically state that.
     
  6. Mr Efficiency
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    Mr Efficiency Senior Member

    So you have no access to plans ? If not, why does it have to be that boat ?
     
  7. bajansailor
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    bajansailor Marine Surveyor

    Everything does sound a bit murky, if you will excuse the pun Murky.
    Can you post any photos of the plan in the old book that you are working from?

    What is the specific appeal of this particular boat?
    There are probably quite a few other similar designs with detailed plans available on the internet.
    You would be much better off working with good plans, rather than from a plan in an old book.

    I presume that your plan is in this book? It appears to be quite a collector's item.
    https://www.amazon.com/Simplified-Boatbuilding-Flat-Bottom-Harry-Sucher/dp/039303173X/ref=sr_1_1
     
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  8. Murky Deep
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    Murky Deep Junior Member

    That’s the book. Note to all: I’ve built a bunch of boats, am very cautious particularly about floatation (learned the hard way in a brockway skiff). The design is the low power launch/semi dory from Sucher. It was also in a USAID pamphlet on Brockway skiffs

    I was thinking three frames with the front having enclosed foam floatation and some more just in front of the transom. 3/8” ply on the sides and 1/2” for the bottom.
     
  9. skaraborgcraft
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    skaraborgcraft Senior Member

    What page is it on? The only "low power" i can find is the 23ft sharpie launch.
     
  10. Murky Deep
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    Murky Deep Junior Member

    Here is the skiff
     

    Attached Files:

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  11. skaraborgcraft
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    skaraborgcraft Senior Member

    The frames are not big in section, and removing any, due to its shape, will probably change the lines a wee bit. You are not saving a whole lot of work and plywood can pant/flex if not supported right. I would build as specified.
     
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  12. DCockey
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    DCockey Senior Member

    You may have read that here. It does not mean it is a good idea or a bad idea.

    The number of stations needed for a jig depends on the shape and how accurately the finished boat needs to match the plans.

    Frames for structure are different than molds for a jig. It is very common in wood boat construction for the number of frames to not match the number of molds. The number of frames needed depends on multiple factors including the method of construction, the scantlings of the frames, the shape of the hull, the thickness of the planking. Frequently the number of frames are greater than the number of molds, particularly for mechanically fastened planks and bent frames. In other builds the number of frames may be less than the number of molds. Glued plywood lapstrake construction and cold molded construction frequently has few if any distinct frames.
     
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  13. DCockey
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    DCockey Senior Member

    Also frames which are installed after planking do not need to lie on the stations shown in the plans.
     
  14. Murky Deep
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    Murky Deep Junior Member

    I guess I may just have to build this boat and find out what it’s like.
     

  15. Mr Efficiency
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    Mr Efficiency Senior Member

    That boat does seem to be very similar to a lot of others of the type, I doubt you need to be sticking to something like that, if plans are easily and cheaply available for a look-alike.
     
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