P27

Stealers & Drop Planks:

Half Stealer:

A half stealer is used generally in the stern section and probably fairly close to the keel. If a droop develops in the first couple of planks above the keel as in figure 19 it is time for a stealer. As with all planking don’t be too eager to glue the planks into position because in the case of a stealer the last plank fitted is the one that has to be cut to let the stealer into it. So of course the plank that has to be cut has only been pinned, hasn’t it? Make a decision as to the length of the stealer that is going to be needed. Allow a small addition to the length for snug fit. Shape the end of the plank at an angle of approximately 45 degrees as shown in figure 21. The forward end of the half stealer will need to be tapered but no more than half its own width is allowed for this process. See A-A of the half stealer diagram. Any more and the plank will be like a splinter and not shipwright. To the stern end of the plank again the taper should be no less half the width of the plank, however B in the diagram shows a more realistic taper that would be required somewhere in the vicinity of ¾ of the planks width. Of course the upper half of the diagram is the section that is actually the half stealer. To carry out this operation shape the half stealer as described above after determining the width of the stern section of the stealer. Pin this stealer over the previous pinned plank and mark out the outline of the shaped stealer. Remove both stealer and under plank, cut under plank carefully. Trial fit both and sand to obtain an accurate fit, if all fits well glue into place.

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