this step was completed on the prototype. Notch your planks
around the windows and port openings when needed.
STEP TWO –
Work your way down the hull from the initial
plank you added in step one. This belt will consist of only FIVE
more rows of planks. The fifth and lowest plank in this belt rep-
resents the lower wales. You can taper each plank at the bow as
you did for the initial layer but make the taper slight. The last
two inches of each plank should only taper to 90% of their width.
Use the two jigs if necessary to making the planking process easi-
er. The thinner planks may be easier to bend in both directions
than the first layer of planking but the choice is yours.
When planking around the port openings leave a rabbet/reveal
around them. This rabbet would have formed a tight seal with the
port lid when closed. A corresponding rabbet on the port lid
would make the seal very water tight if done properly. The rabbet
is created by leaving a reveal around each port so you can see the
initial layer of planking on all four sides. The reveal should be
about 1/64” wide around each port. Try to keep it as consistent as
possible.
STEP THREE –
This step is optional. Step three would consist
of planking the balance of the hull down to the keel. The hull
will be painted below the lower wales. It will be painted White
(tallow). The tallow was actually a mixture of ingredients that
was closer to a dirty yellow color than white. It was used to pro-
tect the hull from rot and worms that would bore into the planks.
Since it will be painted, if you are happy with your first layer of
planking below the lower wales, there is really no reason to do it
a second time. If you decide not to plank the hull with a second
layer below the wales, then sand second layer of planks from step
two so they taper nicely into the initial layer below them. There
should be a gradual taper towards the initial layer of planks but it
doesn’t need to be a completely smooth and flush transition.
Sanding them to half their thickness will suffice. You will be plac-
ing another planking strip on top of the final strake in step two
Final Layer of Planking…
The final layer of planking will be done using 1/8” x 1/32”
strips. The procedure will be broken down into four steps.
Many of the techniques and jigs used for the initial layer of
planking will also apply to the final layer. You can simulate the
caulking between strakes with a lead pencil and stagger you
joints between plank segments. You can stagger the plank joints
every 8 to 10 bulwark stanchions. Line the plank joints up with
the bulwark stanchions as you progress. To make this process
easier you can mark the locations for each bulwark stanchion on
the outside of the hull. The planks can also be treenailed if you
decided to add this detail to your model. The treenails should
also line up with the bulwark stanchions as they are what the
planks were fastened to. Be careful not to drill your treenail
holes all the way through the bulwarks as they shouldn’t show
up on the inboard side.
STEP ONE –
The first plank glued to the hull is the most
important. Take your time positioning it correctly. It will dic-
tate the run of the remaining planks on the hull. This first plank
glued to each side of the hull MUST follow the bottom edge of
the bulwark template. The top edge of the plank should follow
that curve exactly. It will create the proper run for all of the
remaining planks. It will also ensure that the many molding
strips applied in step four will line up properly. Examine the
plans and you will see how the molding runs along the top and
bottom edges of each window and bulwark opening. If the
planks don’t follow the bottom edge of the bulwark template
this will surely be more difficult to accomplish.
This initial plank actually represents the position for the upper
wales. In step four we will place another planking strip on top
of it as the wales were much thicker than the general planking.
Once the first plank is in position, work your way up the hull to
complete step one. A photo is provided that shows the hull after
The first plank placed on the hull represents the run for the upper wales. The top edge of this plank follows the bottom
edge of the Bulwark template. Work your way upward from here to complete step one.
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Summary of Contents for Mayflower 1620
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