BOATS AND BOAT-BUILDING. 83 



be 12 inches wide at bottom, at top proportioned 

 to height, and placed square, with the top of the 

 side-board, 30 inches forward from long point of 

 board, measuring along its edge. 



The curves are now trued by two other sets 

 of braces, which must be regulated by the builder, 

 the bow end being left rather more full than the 

 stern. All is now ready for the ribs and cross- 

 bars, nine sets of which should be used, placed 

 at equal distance, about thirteen and a half inches 

 apart. The ribs, as -before mentioned, should be 

 made of oak, half an inch in thickness, and two and 

 a half in width, where they join the cross-bars, 

 and from here are tapered (see b in the figure). 

 The cross-bars should be of oak, half an inch thick, 

 and one and a half inches deep or wide. Each 

 rib must be accurately bevelled to fit squarely in 

 its place ; the cross-bars being cut to their proper 

 lengths, and the flare of each set of ribs being 

 determined by fitting, they are screwed together,* 

 and fastened in position. Care must be taken 

 that the bottom of each cross-bar shall be placed 

 even with inside edge of the side-boards. 



The whole is now turned over, bottom upwards, 

 and the outside edges of side-boards planed 



* Screws No. 9, IX inch. 



