Please explain "built down hull"

Discussion in 'Boatbuilding' started by Corpus Skipper, Nov 27, 2003.

  1. Corpus Skipper
    Joined: Oct 2003
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    Location: Corpus Christi TX

    Corpus Skipper Hopeless Boataholic

    While looking around for the "perfect boat";) I came across the term "built down hull" in reference to lobster type hulls. No one offered an explanation of this term, and I guess in New England it is common knowledge, but not here in Texas! What does this mean, and what advantage(s) does it have over "conventional" hulls? Thanks.
     
  2. mmd
    Joined: Mar 2002
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    Location: Bridgewater NS Canada

    mmd Senior Member

    In a "built-down" hull the planking forms the "tuck" in the transition from the hull to the skeg. Internally this forms a well that the shaft runs and allows a short bore-hole through the sternpost. In a "skeg" hull, the planking follows the hull buttock lines in a flowing line to the transom, and the skeg is built up of deadwoods and bolted through the keel. This is easier to build, but requires a long shaft bore-hole.

    There are very vocal camps on both sides of the question of which method is best. Please be aware that I grew up in "built-down" country, so I may be biased. The pro - con arguments (assuming traditional plank-on-frame wooden construction) run like this:

    a built-down hull is stronger
    a built-down hull is more prone to garboard rot
    a skeg hull is faster because of less wetted surface
    a skeg hull is prone to becoming loose due to working of the keelbolts
    a skeg hull is easier to build
    a built-down hull is more seaworthy
    and on and on and on ....

    [​IMG]
     
  3. Corpus Skipper
    Joined: Oct 2003
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    Location: Corpus Christi TX

    Corpus Skipper Hopeless Boataholic

    Thanks mmd, more info to chew on.........:)
     

  4. mmd
    Joined: Mar 2002
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    Location: Bridgewater NS Canada

    mmd Senior Member

    This is the illustration I tried to load. Built-down is on the left, skeg-built on the right.
     

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