|
|
|
|
Q & A TRADITIONAL LAPSTRAKE BOATS
Q. What are traditional lapstrake boats?
A: The lapstrake boat building process is believed to have originated in Scandinavia with the Vikings. The earliest remains of a lapstrake boat is believed to have been built about the year 925 AD . Historians believe that lapstrake boats crossed the Atlantic to Newfoundland, Canada at about the year 1,000 AD. The Viking boat builders joined relatively thin planking by 'clinching' (bending over) the protruding ends of iron nails to join and hold the boat planking. It is this clinching process that holds the planks together in rough water. The thin planking was bevelled to overlap the next plank and this is the point where the clinched iron nail was positioned to hold together a very sturdy, light weight and fast boat. As the Vikings expanded their territory they brought this new style of boat building with them. Todays traditional lapstrake boats are basically built the same way, but with a few improvements.
Q: What makes them more 'traditional' than other boats?
A: The term 'traditional' in regards to lapstrake boat building is meant to diferentiate between those who use solid wood planking and copper fasteners from those who build in a similar style but use plywood and epoxy. However, we at Classic Tender Co. vary slightly from being completely traditional by adding a seam of polyurethane between each plank bevel to insure complete water tightness. Truely traditional lapstrake boats rely on water and wood expansion to seal the laps tight to prevent leakage. Classic Tender Co. builds yacht tenders and the fact remains that our boats remain out of the water until required. The hidden seam of flexible polyurethane insures that when a dry lapstrake yacht tender enters the water your feet will certainly remain dry.
Q: Is it lapstrake boat building or clinker boat building?
A: Both terms are correct, depending on where you're from. Generally, Europeans use the term 'clinker' which originates from the process of 'clinching' a fastener that holds the planking together. Folks in the U.S. refer to this building style as 'lapstrake' because the strakes (planks) overlap each other. Regardless of the terminology it is the same building process.
Q: Why are they so much more expensive than other boats of the same length?
A: Simple answer.....time and labour. Fiberglass or plywood and epoxy boats are certainly cheaper.
Q: Resale value?
A: Increasing costs for premium quality woods and the labour rates required by skilled craftspeople ensure the long term value of traditionally built lapstrake boats of almost any design; when built by skilled lapstrake boatbuilders.