Reply To: How thin can the decks be?
Yeah, I’d agree with that, though try to get to as low a weight before decking as possible, as once the lid is on there is no way back! (and don’t forget the weight of the gunnls!).
Also be aware of the weight of adhesives and sealing on the inside, this can add a considerable amount to the final weight. I would estimate 10-12kg for a 4mm ply deck with the interior sealed with 3 coats of ‘epo-seal’.
Frames at 300mm from each bulkhead and at the front of the c.b. case and station 3, plus for and aft ‘stringers’ at 300mm spacing (from a central ‘kingplank’) of lighter section (15x25mm) seemed adequate.
Frames around the mast bearing are down to personal preference (or your ‘attitude to risk’, as the financial advisors say!).
Having said that, it’s amazing how much punishment these boats can take, even when fairly lightly built. One of our boats, in previous ownership, landed MAST FIRST on a steep shingle beach, off the top of a very large wave, and suffered no harm, even though the mast was bent through 45 deg.!
I’ve always played safe with frames fore and aft of the bearing (and spacers) athwartships, and these carry the side pieces (which are thicker horizontaly than vertical to take the side loading.
Hope that helps,
Bob.
