First time build. Huntung scull boat

[JohnBo]

Hello

I am in process of my first ever build of any magnitude. I am truly amazed at the craftsman ship I see on this site. Wow!

I do have a question on the framing fastening of my scull. The fastening schedule doesn't mention fastening the keel and bottom battens to the cross frames. Any ideas if this an over site or is there a boat building reason not to fasten them but let them float? Thanks and if I should ask in another place where?

JohnBo

[chugalug]

Not sure what your hull looks like but on mine,the keel and battans are screwed to the crossframes however the ply is only screwed to battans and keel chine and sheer-not the cross frames.

[JohnBo]

THANKS That is what makes sense to me to do.

[watkibe]

Screwing the planking to the frames reduces the flexibility of the boat (a bad thing), and can cause the "starved dog" look ("the ribs are sticking out"). Some parts of a boat need to be rigid, but the smaller the boat, a little flexibility is good. The starved dog isn't just a "looks" problem; it can cause unwanted turbulence in the streamlining.