Is it a Woodenboat?

[Fritz Koschmann]

This is a Monfort skin-on-frame 14' Classic I built this past winter. It is built to the plans except for the skin. After covering the boat with dacron according to the plans I decided wanted a tougher skin. An article I found, http://tinyurl.com/28spmu described adding a layer of Xynole over a dacron skin. I went ahead and covered the boat with a layer of xynole and System Three LPU. The result is a boat that weighs about 15 pounds more than it would have had I not added the xynole but the weight is still only 65 pounds. The boat has white oak ribs and Sitka Spruce stringers.

http://eeddcc.homestead.com/GEO_sml_3.jpg

http://eeddcc.homestead.com/GEO_sml_1.jpg

http://eeddcc.homestead.com/GEO_sml_2.jpg

[Yeadon]

All I know is that it's a pretty boat, and I could have a nice afternoon in it.

[gavinpascoe]

very pretty!

[G. Schollmeier]

Fritz,
Without the wood it would just be a pile of fabric and goop. So to my eyes it’s a wooden boat, a very nice one. Did the addition of the xynole make the hull stiffer? Is the xynole bonded to the other layer or are they separate? Please keep us posted on how this works out for you.
Gary :D

[ChrisBen]

Fritz, nice job. You betcha it's a wooden boat and you'll have fun with it. I built this classic 14 in 1993 and added a windsurfing rig, dagger board and tiller.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r133/loki59/loki.jpg

[goodbasil]

Our host in the "Launchings" section has published boats such as yours. It's a wooden boat in a negligee.

[MiddleAgesMan]

I agree--it's a wood boat and it's very very nice.

On your website I see the large Bolger designed catamaran that was built in Alaska a few years ago. Are you the builder or are you a new owner?

[Thorne]

KevinFlys post reported to Scott as spam, no need to let it derail the topic.

My preference is to not get caught up in discussions like "Is it a wood boat?", or "How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?.

In this case if pressed to answer, I'll say that the only pure wood boat is the dugout canoe -- all others (including the one above) are composites.

[JimJ]

It's a wooden boat in a negligee.

It's a wooden boat in a alluring negligee.;)

[Tom Hunter]

My personal test is: "if I take away the wood, do I have something that is pretty much a boat, or pretty much a pile of junk."

If the answer is a pile of junk, then the boat is wood.

We all get to have our own definition.

[rufustr]

It's a fine wooden boat.

[marsbar]

Tom Hunters definition is probably the best I have heard. Your boat is a real gem! Thanks for sharing it with the forum.....Mark

[Steve Lansdowne]

If it is NOT a wooden boat, then why is there a similar one hanging up high in the main office of WoodenBoat Magazine?

[pila]

It's very handsome no matter what it's called:)

[boylesboats]

That is a good looking boat Fritz..
But I am sorry, that is not called a wooden boat..
It is called canvas on wood frames..
A wooden boats to me must have at least 90% wood..

Hint: remove the canvas skin, and lapstrake with wood planks, then you'll have a true wooden boat

[Three Cedars]

What was the first real boat, as in a fairly efficient pointed hull ? A dugout , reed boat or skin on frame ? Probably depends on what is available in your area.


ps.rafts and air filled animal skins are not included.