Posted by David Bamford on April 03, 2002 at -1:40:01 from 203.10.110.133:
In Reply to: Re: Lubberly Crews, Forbidden Words and other Opium Plant Male Hen posted by Andy Morley on April 02, 2002 at 08:04:34:
I think Andy, that Peter Willis' posting answers the "Theoretical" charge about sisters and the transfer of forces. Floors, those heavy transverse timbers mounted above the keel are not there to support the keel, but to connect the planking to it,and to provide substantial strength between the two sides of the boat. This part of a boat's structure is a focal point for many forces, all of which would pull it apart if allowed to have their way. Some boatbuilder choose to fasten the heels [bottom ends] of the frames or ribs to sockets cut into the keel just above the rabbet [rebate]. Others disdain this as a sure way to provide a haven for rot, and terminate the ribs away from the keel, relying on the floors to hold everything together. Well designed and made floors should have a taper to their arms to avoid the concentration of stresses at the top of the floor. Not all boats have this. I also consider that epoxy resin is the adhesive of choice for scarphing of ribs. I am not sure what type of resin "Cascamite" is, but if it is not gap-filling, then a very high order of skill would be required to make a satisfactory repair, and I would always worry about it letting go.