Skiff , Skiff about , runabout or ????

[screwit]

I would think that the forms that they built them on were adjustable in some way, even if it meant temp. screwing some thing on the standard jig to get the desired change. A back bone with several frames bolted together.
Build with one or two less side planks from std / over lapping plank or not ,length could be all so changed with different frames add or taken out. If that's what the customer wanted, That's why they are different one to another, plans or notes kept on different styles for refences , pattern frames numbered and given a numbered position on the back bone is all it would take. Its not rocket science . Then one builder would copy another builders idea and they all look the same to the average guy who buys a boat. Check the adds now, there all buy the same builder if he has a high enough profile.
My skiff was built at lewis bro,s at about the same time as rebound but my planks are much thinner than Rebounds but the rest is or looks identical.
The customer that ordered mine had a choice of solid plank or ply and took the ply and all so ordered a front seat for the kids!!!!
So no rules to the boat designer you got what you paid for.
Ross

[tommo]

Yes thats pretty close we used 3 x45x200 strong backs on the concrete,loxened down which allowed us to slide the hull molds into positions,that looked ok then ran 10 x30 x9 mts strips along the out side of the molds at 100 mm intervils which allowed us to shape the hull by moving the molds and get the required hull design once we were happy. the keel and stems were laid this is where a different shape comes into the hull unless you have back stock of stems that are made by the one master builder they will be all different and each hull will have semeler shape acording to the eye of that particular shipwright,once happy steam and lay your port and starboard garboard planks then steam and lay 4 more planks a side,you might find that 291 marine grade sikaflex between each plank works better than canvas all planks screwed in place with large washers,these screw holes will be your roving holes latter so make sure they are evenly spaced,undo your loxens make a cradle of a good height so you are not bending over all the time roll the hull into the cradle with some chain blocks to help then our strong backs stop the planks from trying to pull up and bend the hull in the middle 4 more planks a side and you should have something that looks like a boat but that set of molds will only make one hull design,they are numbered and put away with the plans until a boat of the same shape and purpose is ordered and of you go again cheers,
theres a photo getting around of the lewis bros shed with 3or4 different size molds in the shed and the reason they tend to follow the one builder would be his molds,they made the best handeling design boat.

[Wildwoody1]

There have been some interesting comments about the construction of old classic race boats however the main points about hull designs has been missed.

Big name builders all had a standard design for the masses to buy , this ski boat type was built using the same frames for design. Some were even made on a steel backed frame to ensure consistency and a long life.

Race boats were built to order , some were requested to be Club racers , others for Championship events and different requirements for Kilo boats. Also the original engine type to be used was a major consideration. This all lead to different materials being used and different proportions in the designs. Boats built by the serious class racer were not expected to last for ever and were usually much lighter.

Even when a new customer requested a hull just like XX , the champion holder, the boat he got was dependent on what the boat builder could recall as the frame assembly was long since dismantled. Looked the same but there were small differences.

Given todays plastic formed boats it is easy to think there was a consistent model produced ,however in the days of wood this was not the case and some hulls evolved for their entire racing life as the owners chased better performance.

I hate to disappoint those who thought there were design rules being followed : THERE WERE NO RULES.

Wildwoody1