Rail Caps and Side rails on a Morris

[Howie]

Just found this posting from Scott Rowe on 6/20/2018: https://forums.wcha.org/threads/morris-open-gunnel-short-rail-cap-dimensions.15523/

Very interesting. I'm restoring a 17' Morris (#14067), and its deck & rail tips looks identical to the pic provided by Michael Grace (the 5th reply). Michael provided very very good information on the dimensions of the rail cap - especially on the 'inlet' at the start of the deck.

Now what can you folks tell me about the side rails? What were the overall dimensions? I'm guessing ~1" x 3/16". And did they taper a bit as they reached the pointy end of the deck - and if so when did the taper begin and how much did it taper?

Here's the pic Michael supplied:

 

[ReedLeb]

Hi Howie, I have Morris #5873, a 17', Model A, Type 3, so all Mahogany with long decks closed gunwale. I believe the side rail trim is the similar to the top trim. Mine is 1" wide and about 1/4" thick with 1/4" radius roundover edges. The ends do tape over about 2' of length to about 5/8"-11/16. I'm guessing they were steam bent since they have held the curve for quite some time while off the boat. Hope that helps.
Reed

 

[Benson Gray]

The link below has the dimensions and pictures of two Old Towns with closed gunwales from 1914 and 1919 if that helps. These may be similar to your Morris. Good luck,

Benson

Post in thread 'Old Town Circa 1940?'

Sep 14, 2008

I have attached some pictures of my blue 1914 fifty pound model (which currently weighs 63 pounds) and my green 1919 HW model along with copies of the original build records which both indicate closed spruce gunwales.

My rough measurements of the fifty pound model indicate that the inside gunwale is about 7/8 of an inch wide (horizontally) by 3/4 of an inch thick (vertically) in the middle. The outside gunwale is about 13/16 of an inch wide (vertically) by 1/4 of an inch thick (horizontally) in the middle and tapers to about 5/8 of an inch wide at the ends. The top rail cap is about...

• Benson Gray