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
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.
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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)
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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)
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Making the Bracing Boards
The following notes and associated sketches illustrate
the construction of each of the Bracing Boards.
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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That concludes the basic fabrication of the boards. The
next section details how the parts are fitted together.
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Introduction Construction (1) Construction (2)
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