66 
THE YOUNG SCIENTIST. 
may seem ridiculous. But recent experi- 
ments have shown that a flat-bottomed 
craft^^can be constructed which will surpass 
in speed yachts of the most improved lines, 
though they are by no means as elegant in 
appearance, and far more liable at a shift 
to capsize. The latter objection cannot be 
not extend to flat bottoms which are pro- 
pelled by oars or by similar means, for, by 
proper proportions, ordinary workmanship, 
and a judicious selection of materials, a flat- 
bottomed boat may be constructed which 
will surpass the most sanguine expectations, 
even of its builder. Before the compara- 
overcome in a sailboat of this description, 
for an increased breadth of beam makes her 
only the more difficult to manage — hence 
the usual remedy for round-bottom crafts 
would, in the instance of a flat-bottom, 
have just the opposite efi'ect. 
But for smooth water these objections do 
tively recent construction of sharpies, little 
or no attention was given to the propor- 
tions of boats of this description. After a 
careful consideration of the best method of 
constructing an ordinary sized boat, in 
which should be combined speed with light- 
ness of draught, the following dimensions 
