Research Note

The Rabbet

Joel B. Sanborn

Bow & Stern Sections


Hull from Starboard

'The rabbet' consists of rabbet, bearding and inner lines, and these demarcate a triangular recess into which the lower edge of the first strake next to the keel, called the garboard, and the ends of all the plank, at bow and stern, fit. The rabbet line is the outer, visible, line of this recess. The bearding line is the far side of the triangle and the inner line is the 'corner' of the triangle. The final shape of this recess will exactly fit the plank as it lies along the bulkheads or frames. The outer side of the plank will meet the rabbet line. The inner corner of the plank will fit into the inner line of the recess. Along the inside surface of the plank, exactly at the point at which the plank leaves the deadwood or keel and lies against the frames, is the bearding line.

Bow from Top

To see this relationship hold up, next to your frame or bulkhead setup, whatever that may be, a short piece of the plank you will be using. Note how the inner surface of the plank lies along the frame. Where this surface leaves the frame and begins to encounter the keel or deadwood knees at bow and stern, establishes the bearding line. The inner corner of the plank must be set deeply enough into the recess, or rather the recess must be cut deeply enough to allow the outer surface of the plank to meet the keel or deadwood on the outside.

This recess has to twist as you move fore or aft from the midship or widest position on the hull. Check your section of plank at various locations along the length of the hull and you can see how the angle changes as it meets the frames and keel/deadwood.