: Has any body got a clue if there is something like a maximum lenth to which a
: canoe can be built with 0.75 x 0.25 inch strips. And if construction wise
: there is a limit could it be increased by increasing the size of the
: strips? The reason I am asking is that I have plans of constructing and
: building a dragon boat to be crewed by 50. (double rows of course) The
: ideal length of this boat would therefore be about 25 meters. If the boat
: would have enough rigidness in some way or another the handling in and out
: of the water would be no problem.

: regards
: Arthur

Hi Arthur,
At 25 metres, (82 feet) in length, I think the scantlings would be in the range of 1 to 1.25 inch not including glass sheathing/reinforcement. (guesstimate, going by hulls I've seen)

For something that length and beam, I think double-diagonal planking would be better with a schedule of lengthwise, diagonal, opposite diagonal, lengthwise. The outside lengthwise planks matches the lengthwise compression/extension forces, the diagonals counteracts the torquing forces.
The diagonal planks might need steaming to bend around the turn of the bilge.

Mike Savage
South West Cork