VARIOUS KINDS OF GUNNING-PUNTS 277 



The double punt for open sea should be built very strongly 

 (regardless of weight), the sides, for preference, clinker built — 

 i.e. of two planks, the upper one overlapping the lower on each 

 side. If she will never under any circumstances be wanted 

 for shallow water, she may have a square keel piece 

 and be clinker built on bottom with a considerable kammel 

 — say 3 in. — and a similar amount of spring fore and aft. 

 These modifications will tend to make the punt more seaworthy, 

 and not in any way deteriorate her actions or success as a fowl- 

 ing craft. I should advise that the sea-punt be built by a boat- 

 builder from design herewith, if the intending punt-shooter 

 has no practical knowledge of punt or boat-building. Special 

 instructions will have to be given the boat-builder who under- 

 takes the construction of your punt, unless he is a specialist on 

 gunning-punts. Boat-builders who have a knowledge of the 

 construction of gunning-punts are few and far between. As a 

 rule, they know little about the subject at all. I know of two 

 firms of boat-builders, however, who make a speciality of 

 gunning-punts. The punts they turn out are really tip-top, 

 and surpass anything I have seen constructed by amateurs, 

 especially when reference is made to the lines of their craft. 

 This is possibly due to the fact that the many expensive tools 

 comprising a skilled punt and boat-builder's kit are employed 

 in the building of these punts in such a practical way that per- 

 fection is well-nigh certain. Amateurs who are not constantly 

 at this work, and who do not possess the necessary tools for fine 

 work, cannot reasonably be expected to attain such perfection. 

 Perhaps it would be well here to note that I have not stated 

 the foregoing simply from mere caprice, but after careful and 

 critical examination of several punts built by many of the most 

 enthusiastic and experienced punt-shooters in the British Isles, 

 including those of a few well-known gentlemen of fame in the 

 shooting world. I should also state that, although most of 

 these punts were no doubt safe and trustworthy shooting 



