Wooden hull boat project NOO-B

[HorribleHarry]

Ok, I'm THINKING about doing a project in wood instead of plastic! :eek:
I'm fairly read up on glassing the hull (although that is a lot of time I probably don't have lol!) My question is when building a flat bottomed boat like an LST or barge, is there any science to weather or not the bottom of the hull should have the sides attached to the top or on the side of the bottom/floor?? same for the bow & stern? is one method stronger or safer than the other? I guess this would apply to just about any material..

While we're here, besides strength, is there any other reason to use "glass" on a hull? is it a texture issue, or are you just looking for trouble with sealing the wood without it?

Thank you for any advice,
Harry

[Prins Willem]

You will probably get opinions supporting joining the sides and bottom either way. If you were making the bottom contour to the hull shape by bending or curving this would dictate the bottom skin covering the side edges. My personal rule of thumb is to do it the way that will make the job easier, stronger, and more efficient. Depending on the material thickness (which determines the joint thickness) you may have to reinforce the joint on the inside. Take into account any areas which may have stress in them from curving or bending. These areas will need more support.

With fiberglass you get the benefits of sealing the wood, for all intents and purposes a double hull. Properly laid fiberglass will strengthen all the joints which are a weak point in any hull and you get a surface you can have as smooth as you want. With a couple of layers you could create mock damage, or scribe detail into the surface. If you want to experiment or practice fiberglassing build a box (some call them barges) out of 1/4" plywood and glass it over. There is no better teacher than experience.

[patmat2350]

Seams in planked hulls can/will open up due to humidity changes, and a resin (alone) coating will do little to stop the natural wood movement. A layer of glass fixes things.

A plywood-sheathed hull should be fine with only sealing (no glass), as it doesn't move around with humidity.

[Stu :)]

Personally don't see any 'rights' or 'wrongs' to how you attach the sides of the hull to the bottom, as long your fit is good and true, and is well joined and sealed you shouldn't have any problems. A good source of background reading would some issues of Model Boats (UK) magazine with the build and free plans by Glynn Guest. He mainly contributes flat bottomed hulls and uses several different methods attaching the hull sides. I should really get the photos uploaded and start a build log for my CSS Teaser as I loosely based the hull design on the way Glynn does them.

When building wooden boats I seal the hull with resin; either epoxy or polyester... but I don't actually use the 'glass' part. I only resin coat for water-proofing rather then strength, but the resin coat does add goodly amount of reinforcing which I won't say no to.
For balsa hulls I give it first coat with thinned-down coat of resin so the balsa can soak it into the grain, then dry, sand and add another one or two more coats of standard mix resin (with drying and sanding in between). This gives extra strength that will enable the hull take most serious knocks that would normally obliterate non-coated balsa hull.
For plywood hulls I just do two or three coats of resin without thinning.

....AND if you're going to build a flat bottomed model boat, how about a nice monitor or ironclad instead ;) Just ask Chuck! :D

Stu :)
Spreading 19th century scale model naval corruption where ever he goes...

[HorribleHarry]

....AND if you're going to build a flat bottomed model boat, how about a nice monitor or ironclad instead ;) Just ask Chuck! :D

Stu :)
Spreading 19th century scale model naval corruption where ever he goes...

Well, I already have the Ironclad dept. covered! (see below) :D The 1:48 fleet stands ready for completion!
I REALLY want to build USS Lexington or USS Tyler. anybody have a solution for the lower hull ??? *flutters eyelashes* :rolleyes:
Thank you all, I greatly appreciate your help,
Harry

[HorribleHarry]

Oh Yeah, while we're here... adhesive! what is the accepted norm in wood adhesive?

Thanks again,
Harry

[Kmot]

Horrible,

It would be very cool to see all six of these models in the water at the same time, black powder cannons shooting sparks, flame and smoke! :D

[HorribleHarry]

Tom, don't give me ideas! Imagine it, it would look like a brush fire at the dam! all that cannon smoke & steam...

MUHAHAHAHA
*puts on the mad scientist labcoat again...*

CH