I am planning on building a SOF Wee Lassie knock off and have my first question about construction. I'm planning on using cross sections (aka Yost boats) that are modeled off the strip forms from the Featherweight Boatbuilding book. I've done this before and I know its possible. I will have one or two forms in the sitting area that will be open ended. There will be two more forms that will have tops to them and plan on adding breast hooks into the tips.
So my question...
Right know I'm curious about what gives canoe gunwalls their strength. If I use a 3/4 inch (by 1.5 inch) gunwalls with breast hooks and two forms/thwarts (.5 inch plywood), will the gunwalls hold their shape and not crush the open ended forms where the gunwalls are at thier widest? I also do not plan on making inwalls or outwalls. Will this work? What gives the gunwalls strength in a canoe anyway?
I ask this because I've made a couple kayaks, but they are loaded with deck beams to keep the gunwalls strong. I have no experience with canoes. I'm amazed by canoe's gunwalls strength concicering they only have breast hooks and one thwart giving them shape.
Thanks,
scott