GUNNING-PUNT CONSTRUCTION 



267 



ing the side strakes when being bent to the punt. The sides 

 of the large punt, although measuring only 7 in. in width when 

 finished, must be at least 10 in. wide at first to enable the 

 builder to sweep and bend them. After bending and 

 fixing them, the superfluous edges can easily be cut off. The 

 sides of the largest punts need be no thicker when finished 

 than f in. They should extend from stem to stern in complete 

 lengths, i.e. without a joint. Steaming or soaking the side 

 planks with water before bending is an advantage. The knees 

 (cut to the grain of the wood from selected elm) are placed in 

 large punts 16 in. apart, and their length is determined by 

 their position in the boat. They should be cut and finished 



Plan showing Decks fitted in Four Parts. 



together in pairs, and fixed directly opposite each other. The 

 floor timbers must be the same width as the knees. The floor 

 timbers are fixed in position between the knees. All knees 

 fixing the sides to the bottom assembled, the deck rafters 

 (oak) and side deck knees are next to be fitted. Thus far the 

 boat is ready to receive the decks. These should be screwed 

 on in four parts, comprising the side deck pieces, and one 

 fore and aft respectively. Half-inch pine simply butt- 

 jointed, is sufficient for the decks, but let much extend 

 over the sides so that a thin gunwaling strip may be run 

 underneath to form a beading, and make the outer deck 

 edge watertight. See sectional diagram. The cockpit 

 coaming strengthening strips of half-round wood are next bent 

 and fixed. These support the cockpit coaming with sufficient 



