TRANSOM

1893 VINEYARD CAT (DOLPHIN)

TRANSOM (PP.4)

HORN TIMBER & FASHION PIECES IN PLACE

The original transom was built out of 3 pieces of oak approximately 5" thick by 18" wide. It was actually carved to the double curve, inside and out and fitted togeather. Not having access to wood this nice, I had to make it out of 2 layers. The inner layer is white oak 1 1/4" thick 10" wide spiled etc. The outer layer is 1 1/4" mahgany carefully spiled and fitted togeather. The transom is curved both vertically and horizontally, so careful spilling is needed to make sure the plank lines go up or straight .

Here you can see the inner layer of oak planking screwed to the fashion pieces (corners) , horn timber and 2 transom frames. The transom in a Catboat like this has to be very, very strong, due to the stresses that the rudder imposes on the horn timber etc.

Inner layer of oak planking screwd and bunged awaiting outer layer of mahgany.

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TRANSOM WORK

STEM BLANK STARTING TO CUT OUT

USING THE ADZE TO FASHION MAST STEP

The mast step has to be incredibly strong in a boat like a catboat. This step is 8" thick and a little over 7' long. It is cut out of crook of white oak, and has to be fitted to the back of the stem, gripe, and to the top of the keel all the way back to the centerboard trunk. The mast step has to support the weight of a 40' mast 9" in dia solid douglas fir. So you can see that it has to be carefully made.

MAST STEP BEFOR CUTTING MORTISE FOR THE MAST

GRIPE BEING FITTED IN PREPERATION FOR ACTUAL STEM, HELP FROM ONE OF MY OVERSEAERS

If you look carefully you can see the mast step bolted in behind the stem and onto to the keel. Fits here have to be very accurate, as any movement down the road will tear it apart!

STEM AND GRIPE DONE AND FASTENED

YOU CAN SEE THE BACK BONE WITH CENTERBOARD TRUNK ALL DONE

MAHOGANY PLANKING TO TRANSOM

The holes in the planking are in strategic places to take the clamps necessary for steaming the frames in place. The planking I had decided early on would be all replaced anyway. Reason was, the planking was not rotten, but it was nail sick. The original planking was held to the frames with large square shanked bronze nails. Not clenched, very unusual for this type of boat.

FRAMING IN PROCESS

FLOOR TIMBERS AND FRAMING STARTED

If you look close, you can see the rudder tube being roughed in. Originally this was a square planked up box, which would tend to leak under a strain. Also notice that the frames are split in the back where the bend is extreme, to keep them from splitting.

These frames are 1 3/4" square, and are being overbent here and held with the lines to allow it to get its set, then they are clamped into there final position after a day or so.

STEAMING FRAMES AND PUTTING IN FLOOR TIMBERS

STEAMING IN FRAMES

BOSS CAT DOING QUALITY CONTROL!

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FRAMING COMPLETE

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STEAMING HOOD ENDS OF GARBOARD PLANKS

SPILING A PLANK

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A STRAKE A DAY!

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