P28

Full Stealer:

A full stealer is made up in the same manner as a half stealer except its end section consists of two 45 degree cuts. Again this end of the stealer BB should be no less than half the width of the plank. However the stern end of this stealer is to be the full width or close to it. Again the two under planks affected should have been pinned into place to determine the length of the stealer required, cut and shape the stealer as in the diagram. Place and pin it over the top of the under planks. Mark around the outline and remove. Cut the under planks to suit and trial fit. Sand if necessary and glue into position if all is well.

Drop Planks:

Drop planks are used to reduce the number of tapered planks going to the bow section. In effect a drop plank reduces two plank widths into one plank width. These are used where crowding of the planks is starting to occur and if not used the tapered ends of the planks would be mere splinters. Similar rules apply as in stealers. Again the forward end of the drop plank is not to be tapered more than half the width of the plank. In the two planks coming forward at section A-A they are not to be tapered any more than half the width of the plank. As with the other stealers and as a drop plank is technically a stealer, place the shaped drop plank over the ends of the planks affected to ensure a flowing fit to sections A-A. Pin into place and mark the forward end where it fits into the stern rabbet. Allow a little extra at the point for a snug fit. Sand as required and glue into position.

Note: All stealer and drop planks must be secured at the joints with the under planks over a bulkhead, half and half as in Figure 17 inset. This will ensure a solid surface to the completed hull and when sanding operations are carried out. Failure to do so can result in a springy joint that is extremely difficult to fix after the planking is finished.

18. General Plank Tapering

Figure 22:

The top tapered edge mates with the un-tapered bottom edge of the next proceeding plank. This makes a smoother flow of the planks at the ends of the ship and prevents the planks twisting and dropping away at the ends. With bow planks start the taper just forward of midships and again only taper to half the width of the plank.

Stern tapering is a little different. Lay the plank over the under plank and note where the planks intersect, mark and taper from this point. The difference here at the stern is because of the full buttock shapes of the stern bulkheads. The situation I have just described does not occur in all ships, some require tapers similar to the forward sections. It is a matter of studying your particular ship and test fitting the planks to see where they want to lay. Remember do not force a plank laterally. This will almost certainly result in the planks forming a clinker like position which is hard to overcome. If you see this situation developing then spiling of the offending plank is required.

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