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Nov. 24, 2007 I am contemplating, after years of procrastination and study the construction of a nine foot sampan. I will be using this as a guide for the construction of one of greater length, preferably double the present size. I have hit upon this design after much study as it is possible to construct it using the stitch and glue meathod. This is a technique where the builder saws out the outer skin panels which are then drilled along the edges and are then stitched together using wire passed through the previously drilled holes. Some builders like to add fiber glass chine whales before removing the wire stitching which is then covered by means of fiber glassing the entire boat. Some like to leave in the wiring and then caulk over it. In both instance the chine’s have to be placed and then the frames. The Chinese have evolved a design which due to the fact that it has double chine- i.e. sides and then a slope connected to flat bottom –allows for the elimination of the chine whale as the angle between the sides, chine and bottom is so slight it is possible to connect them by using a long spike driven from plank edge to plank edge. Sawn frames and floors then connect the three planks per side. I have decided to eliminate the long spike and instead rely upon the wire stitching to hold the planks together. This in the oldest type of boat building used during prehistoric times and up to the days of the ancient Egyptians. I have a very small scale drawing used as a basic model. One of the hardest things to figure is the shape of the planks as the drawings show only side and top elevation. In order to arrive at a suitable shape I have constructed a paper model of the shape I think the planks should be which I then manipulated by folding along the chine line until I had a shape which, viewed from the ends, roughly corresponded to the fore and aft view in the drawings. I then cut out along the folds and measured transferring the dimensions to a table of offsets. A word on the design. One of my reasons for selection of this design is that the flattish body shape will be dry i.e. not let waves break too close thus sending a sheet of spray over those on board .Another advantage is the ease of building and a savings in material costs. The fact that this in not a traditional flat bottom design , which can at times be down right dangerous as they can tip very suddenly sending those on board into the drink, is also a plus.
For the benefit of those unfamiliar with Asiatic
rowing it is done standing up facing forwards the oars
crossing one another above the gunwales. I have
reservations regarding this type of rowing for so
small a craft. I think it would be best if it was
sculled i.e. using a single oar over the stern but do
contemplate building a larger version in which the
former method would be O.K. Regarding sailing .I think
it would be possible to ship a small sail for mainly
down wind sailing which would be triangular having
boom jutting out from some where near the middle of
the mast. I have been in small sampans which when the
wind was aft were sailed in this way. If anyone has
any suggestions I would like to hear them.
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