Jog my memory- Prospector plank thickness

[Dan Miller]

I've got a student bringing a 17' Prospector to my course at Wooden Boat School in a few weeks that needs 20' or so of planking. I know the ribs are thicker than normal (3/8") and I think the planking is also thicker (3/16"?) but for the life of me I can't remember. Gil will know what I mean (the remembering part).

Thanks,
Dan

 

[Pook]

Hi Dan,
Thicker planking is news to me- definitely thicker ribs and heavier canvas, but i think standard planking.
I'm going to have to check mine- but not quite sure how to do that with canvas still on....
Bruce

 

[Gary]

Hi Dan, I have a Chestnut Prospector in the rafters of my shop needing restoration so the canvas is off. Bruce was right the planking on mine is 1/8".
Gary

 

[Dan Miller]

Thanks Gary and Bruce. Good timing - today is milling day, tomorrow is packing, and Friday is off to Maine!

 

[Pook]

Thanks Gary!
I am still trying to figure out how to measure thickness of planking without removing canvas...
Glad you were able to weigh in!

Cheers!
Bruce

 

[patrick corry]

Thanks Gary!
I am still trying to figure out how to measure thickness of planking without removing canvas...
Glad you were able to weigh in!

Cheers!
Bruce

Gary, you'll have to acquire one of these... but then need to deduct the thickness of canvas, filler, paint, etc. Presumably it'll fit around your gunwales. On the other hand, I'd say 1/8" to 5/32" should answer the question. Maybe it depends on how hard the user will use the canoe!!

 

[Dan Miller]

For the record, I went with a fat 5/32". 1/8" planking is usually only found on lightweight canoes, like Old Town's 50-lb model.

 

[dtdcanoes]

I think you can take a sliver of heavy paper and find a crack between two planks and mark with a pencil, withdraw and measure....no ? maybe at several cracks ?

 

[patrick corry]

I think you can take a sliver of heavy paper and find a crack between two planks and mark with a pencil, withdraw and measure....no ? maybe at several cracks ?

That's a great, and simple, idea! I just tried it on the Old Town 50#er I'm currently working on. No canvas, and I used thin aluminum coil stock sliding it between planking from the outside, using the rib as a 'backstop'. Sure enough, 1/8" planking- though I already knew that. But as a trial it would surely work from the interior with canvas as the backstop.

 

[ALCEDO ATTHIS]

I think you can take a sliver of heavy paper and find a crack between two planks and mark with a pencil, withdraw and measure....no ? maybe at several cracks ?

the same thing whit a needle , when water appear you mesure , just a joke, this afternoon on a stony shore whith shells a few water appear on mine