How do I plank a hull?

I think a thorough discussion of planking technology and methodology would go a long way toward helping beginners overcome what many perceive as a major roadblock.

Drawing courtesy Jim Roberts.
I think maybe a little clarification of the term planking belt may be in order. The primary reasons for dividing the lower hull into "belts" are two.


Drawing courtesy Jim Roberts.

First, breaking the huge, complexly curved expanse of the lower hull into smaller areas to be dealt with one at a time, makes the job easier; easier to comprehend and therefore easier to accomplish.

Second, by making sure that the battens defining the belts are fair (no kinks, humps, sharp curves, wiggles etc.), when viewed from several different directions, you automatically ensure that the finished planking will lie in fair curves on the hull and the finished job will look ship shape.

Depending upon the vessel being modeled, there may be anywhere from two to five belts per side, and each belt may contain anywhere from three or four to eight or ten planks. It's usually not necessary to use planking belts above the main wale. The reason is that the main wale generally follows the sheer line of the vessel and any wales, moldings, rails and planking above it will also follow that line (though decks usually do not, generally being "flatter". This seeming discrepancy can be confusing and misleading, which is why it's a good idea to try to understand the hows, whys and wherefores of 17th, 18th and 19th century ship design so that you understand how to deal with this type of situation). Because everything on the outside of the hull above the main wale is parallel to it (the same distance apart at any point along the length of the hull), there is generally no need to taper the planks above the main wales, so therefore belting isn't necessary.

Sheer strake is a term that really applies more to smaller vessels - especially merchantmen - than to larger warship types. The that planking below the level of the main deck and bulwarks). The sheer strake is often defined by an outboard molding, or the outboard edge of the plank sheer, covering board, or even the waterway. Amidships, the sheer strake will generally run at the level of the deck edge. Forward, it will sweep up somewhat higher than the main deck. Aft on a flush decked ship the sheer strake may rise a bit above the level of the deck. If the vessel has a raised quarterdeck, the sheer strake just runs out to the transom in a fair sweep.

The Hood Ends of planks are both butt ends, forward and aft, where the butt seats in a rabbet, either in the stem, the sternpost, or along the tuck rail on the wing transom.
{Jim Roberts}

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