which case these pieces are joined by cleats at the Fastenings

butt ends. With double-sawn frames the parts over-

Electrolysis can be a dangerous problem in boats.
lap and are glued and fastened together so that
Wooden boats, with their many and different kinds
cleats are not necessar}'. Preferable today are lami-
of fastenings, are at risk. Galvanized iron or other fer-
nated frames formed of many layers of veneer glued
rous metals must not be mixed with bronze fasten-
together. If the frames are laminated doubly wide
ings or lead keels. Lead-ballast keels should be fas-
they can be sawn down the middle, making a per-
tened with bronze or monel bolts, never with
fect pair. Large boats may have one or more bent
galvanized iron or stainless steel bolts. Stainless steel
frames fitted between two sawn or lammated
is less noble than lead and subject to crevice corro-
frames, while very large, heaxy craft may use all
sion if fitted below water, and therefore not the ideal
sawn or laminated frames. An example of the latter
material for keel bolts, rudder stocks, or propeller
is our recent 70-foot schooner Tree of Life, which
shafts. Bronze and monel are more costly, so stainless
has 2y2-inch-by-4-inch laminated fir frames fitted
steel keel bolts are common on modem yachts, but
every 14 inches.
they have caused the loss of more than one keel.
Chine hulls use sawn frames almost exclusively,
Bronze fastenings should never be used with alu-
closely spaced for regular planking and more widely
minum hardware or masts because the two metals
spaced if seam-batten planking is used. On a ply-
form a battery that corrodes the aluminum. Stainless
wood hull longitudinal stringers are fitted. In power-
fastenings, well bedded, are the only choice in that
boats with extreme flare in the forward sections it
case, but even they need to be inspected regularly
may be difficult to avoid cross-grain frames. In such
Even if all fastenings and fittings are of identical
instances, double-sawn frames or even laminated
metal, problems can occur due to stray electncal cur-
frames should be used.
rents that may cause deterioration of the hull metals.
Longitudinal frammg that uses closely spaced lon-
Sacrificial zinc plates should be fitted to the hull at all
gitudinal stringers on widely spaced sawn frames or
major metal points (shafts, through-hulls, mdder fit-
bulkhead framing is excellent for laminated hulls as
tings, etc.) so the zinc is eaten away instead of the
well as for plywood planking. In bulkhead framing,
costly fittings. Many designers and builders recom-
the major hull bulkheads and furniture are reinforced
mend a complete bonding system. In this installation
and supply the necessar)' transverse strength. Strip-
all major metal parts and, in particular, all through-
planked hulls can also use bulkhead framing if the
hull metals are cormected by #8 AWG copper wire to
plank strips are increased in thickness, but if this is
a central copper bonding strip that, in tum, is con-
done It is rare to see longitudinal stringers.
nected to the ballast keel or to a grounding plate on
Composite construction, popular in high-quality
the outside of the hull. Such a bonding system pro-
wood yachts in the 1930s, is rarely seen today In this
vides lightning protection as well as a degree of elec-
form of construction, the wood planking, usually
trolysis protection.
regular caulked planking, is bolted to steel or bronze
angle frames. Steel frames were usually galvanized,

but the very highest quality craft used bronze for its
Decks
durability Composite construction is very strong but

relatively costly With modem glues, laminated The tightest deck for a wooden hull is marine ply-

frames make more sense for today's yachts. wood. It is also the lightest, strongest, and easiest to

CONSTRUCTION

85