Rascal Runabout: Strongback design

[Jeff Myers]

Hi,
Just recv'd plans for Ken Bassett's Rascal Runabout and wanting to know the best design for the strongback needed to build this boat. Would like to hear from others that may have built her already.
Shop has a concrete floor if that matters.
Any/all help would be greatly appreciated.
...and yes, this will be my first boat build.
Thx in advance.

[ 08-11-2005, 01:02 PM: Message edited by: Jeff Myers ]

[Ross M]

Hi Jeff

There are some pictures of Speedboy's setup on this thread: Rascal Progress Pics - Topside Final Mahogany Layer (http://www.woodenboat-ubb.com/cgi-bin/UBB/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=010693&p=)

Good Luck - you have selected a very pretty design, IMO!

Ross

[Ross M]

Jeff

I am somewhat surprised by the lack of response to your question.

You may want to consider reposting on the Building/Repair section of the forum.

Ross

[Speedboy]

Kevin, For the Rascal strongback, I used 2 2x10's 16' long with 5 ea. 2x10 cross members 21" wide (one at each end and 3 in the middle), so that the total width of the strongback was 24" (21 + 1.5 +1.5). I then ran 2x4's down the center of the strongback so they were flush with the top of each 2x10". To support the 2x4's, I screwed 2x4 support blocks on either side of the 5 cross members 1.5" below the top of the 2x10's so that when the 2x4's were screwed down onto them, the top surface of the 2x4's (wide side) were flush with the top surface of the 2x10's. The 2x10's are probably overkill, and you can probably get away with 2x8's. I then supported the strongback on wood boxes 18" high. I would recommend maybe 14-16" inches high instead because the bottom of the keel was a little hard to reach. If this description is unclear, let me know and I will take pictures specifically of the strongback. Some of my postings do show the strongback, but I wasn't focusing on the strongback when taking the picture. I modeled my strongback after the one in the video I purchased from Ken Bassett on how to build the "Rascal". I highly recommend you get the video. It was invaluable during the build process as a reference. Best of luck building the "Rascal", if you need any additional questions answered, feel free to contact me.

Speedboy

[mmd]

The boat is not Basset's 'Rascal', but maybe the strongback design will be helpful. It is similar to what Speedboy has described (I think), and has held up well to the thrashing that the boys have given it. The main longetudinal and lateral timbers are 2 x 10's, the diagonals let into the bottom (not visible in the photo) and the uprights are 2 x 4's, and the auxiliary braces are 1 x 4's. After assembly, the strongback was shimmed level. The building moulds are 3/4" ply.

http://www.boatdesign.net/gallery/data/500/311Ribbands_inwale_and_stringer_on_molds-med.jpg

[Jeff Myers]

Ross,Speedboy and MMD,,,
Thanks for the feedback.
Speedboy, I understand exactly what you described
and have also ordered the video, just hasn't arrived yet.
Thanks all, i'll keep you posted as to the progress, i "plan" on keeping a picture journal
of this build too as it may help someone else down
the road.