Repair and Maintenance of a Drascombe Lugger


Replacing the Wooden Floor Boards
(page 4 of 5)

This page continues a step by step guide to the construction of the new floorboards. Following on from the construction of the longitudinal boards, the steps in the construction of the bracing or cross boards are described, applying a protective coating of Epoxy to all the boards, and finally, the assembly of the boards ready for use.

Construction of the bracing or cross Boards


General view of standard Lugger floorboards

Sketch Plan of Lugger Floorboards, viewed from beneath to show the bracing boards.

Underneath the longitudinal boards are a series of smaller cross or bracing boards. The sole function of these boards is to hold the longitudinal boards in position. There are a total of 12 bracing boards (6 per board set), identified in the sketch above on the Port set as board numbers 2 - 7. With the exception of Board 2, all the cross boards are constructed of wood measuring 70 mm wide by 20 mm thick.

Note that the original Bracing Boards were thinner (by about 5 mm), than the ones used for the new board set. This decision to use thicker boards was to give additional strength to the boards as a whole.

Sketch cross section of Lugger showing limits of the cross boards Factors limiting the length of the Bracing Boards

The sketch above shows that the spans of the bracing boards are shorter that the total width of the longitudinal boards. These insets are necessary to ensure that, in use, the bracing boards do not foul the sloping hull on the one side of the boat, and in the middle of the boat, the ledge at the base of the centreplate casing.

These limiting factors are shown on the adjacent sketch representing a cross section across the middle of the boat. One of the bracing boards (shown in dark brown) spans the floorboard set and is inset on the centreplate side to accommodate the ledge at the base, whilst on the other side, the board is inset to accommodate the slope of the hull. The extent of the insets is given on all the sketch plans of the bracing boards shown further down this page.

(Click on image for larger view)

Trying a bracing board for size Trying a Bracing Board for Size

In this photograph, taken towards the aft end of the cockpit on the port side, longitudinal Floorboard 8 has been placed in its correct position in the boat. Bracing Floorboard 7 has been slid in position beneath it until it comes up against the the hull sloping up beneath Board 8. A pencil line can then be drawn across Board 7 marking the furthest point of its intersection with Board 8.

(Click on image for larger view)


Making the Bracing Boards

The following notes and associated sketches illustrate the construction of each of the Bracing Boards.

Sketch plan of Board 2 Board 2 Construction Details

The sketch shows the dimensions of Board 2. This Bracing Board is the smallest of all the flooboards and, as with Board 11, has a width of 38 mm. It is constructed from one of the 70 mm x 20 mm thick planks. Note that as the board does not abut against the centreplate casing, a rebate is only needed at one end. After marking out, use a jigsaw to cut the board to size. Round off all the edges using a sanding block with 80 grade grit.

(Click on image for larger view)

Sketch plan of Board 3 Board 3 Construction Details

The sketch shows the dimensions of Board 3. At 70 mm, this Bracing Board is wider than Board 2. 70 mm is the standard width for all the other Bracing Boards apart from Board 11. Note that as the board does not abut against the centreplate casing, a rebate is only needed at one end. Mark out the board on one of the 70 mm x 20 mm planks, and cut to size using a jigsaw. Round off all the edges using a sanding block with 80 grade grit.

(Click on image for larger view)

Sketch plan of Board 4 Board 4 Construction Details

The sketch shows the dimensions of Board 4. Note that this board abuts the centreplate casing at one end and requires a rebate at both ends. Mark out the board on one of the 70 mm x 20 mm planks, and cut to size using a jigsaw. Round off all the edges using a sanding block with 80 grade grit.

(Click on image for larger view)

Sketch plan of Board 5 Board 5 Construction Details

The sketch shows the dimensions of Board 5. Note that this board abuts the centreplate casing at one end and requires a rebate at both ends. Mark out the board on one of the 70 mm x 20 mm planks, and cut to size using a jigsaw. Round off all the edges using a sanding block with 80 grade grit.

(Click on image for larger view)

Sketch plan of Board 6 Board 6 Construction Details

The sketch shows the dimensions of Board 6. At a maximum length of 492 mm this is the longest of the Bracing Boards. Note that as the board does not abut against the centreplate casing, a rebate is only needed at one end. Mark out the board on one of the 70 mm x 20 mm planks, and cut to size using a jigsaw. Round off all the edges using a sanding block with 80 grade grit.

(Click on image for larger view)

Sketch plan of Board 7 Board 7 Construction Details

The sketch shows the dimensions of Board 7. Note that as the board does not abut against the centreplate casing, a rebate is only needed at one end. Mark out the board on one of the 70 mm x 20 mm planks, and cut to size using a jigsaw. Round off all the edges using a sanding block with 80 grade grit.

(Click on image for larger view)



That concludes the basic fabrication of the boards. The next section details how the parts are fitted together.

[Back to page 3] [Forward to page 5, Constructing the new boards (continued) ]