Chine

Comment

Comment by bob mitchell on August 26, 2010 at 8:30am

Clyde diagram and commentary on chine and stem intersection.
"The chine (see attached) is the dividing line between the side and bottom planks; you know that, I know. It therefore has two surfaces that are set to a changing angle to each other. But note that as you go forwards that angle opens wider and wider. On the same picture you can see how that angle is almost flat on frames 3 and 2. Frame 1 sits entirely on the top of the chine (top frame member only). At that point the center of the chine and the rabbet line come together. This is important because the chine is flat as it enters the stem. I would not worry about putting in the flat until I fastened in the chine. Maintain the angle at frame 2 all the way to the stem, then in preparation for planking use a straight edge that will reach from rabbet to outside clamp (which length of course, changes) and find how much of the chine is flat; It may not be much. And, because I just thought of this, and to throw a monkey wrench into the works, it may be best to not to carry # 2’s angle forward at all, just leave it flat and full thickness from #2 (or #3 or even #4) to the forward end. The chine is notched into frames 2 and 3. Those notches will give you the height on the edge (from bottom or inboard surface up to top of notch) on each frame. Looking at the picture I am unsure about frame 4, it may also be notched; it has no visible gussets on the side of the frame at the chine. I do not remember either building or not building frame 4 on the frame table (this is where the frames are assembled, and I only helped at the table on two or three boats). Frame 4 looks flat enough to have been cut from a single piece, like the frames ahead of it. As I remember it, the chine is made of a layer of 3/4" plywood and a layer of fir (1" nominal; 3/4" or so by measurement)."