Acorn to Arabella - Journey of a Wooden Boat - Episode 84: Lining Off and Diminishing Board

[@ror5387]

I really appreciate the editing of Ben Fundis. It's quite a break through on KZbin when you actually have someone who understands editing technique. Your addition of Ben to your team has added substantially to the watch-ability of your channel. Keep up the good work Ben.

[@A.Spivey]

The gentleman who was schooling you on spiling planks is a treasure!

[@nic_the_aged_woodworker]

Great explanation regarding the layout of the planking. One of the highlights of my week is watching your growing story. It's fantastic to see Arabella grow week by week.

[@raymondwhitford433]

I wish I were young again, I would have loved to have a go at wooden boat building, what you are doing is fascinating, I wish the best for you all.

[@thomasarussellsr]

Trigonometric figuring can be more exhausting for some than physical labor. But point of view and making lines fit can be confusing as well if the person cannot visualize 3-dimentionally.

[@afabhanke]

That diminishing board is an absolutely brilliant bit of geometry. Makes a very complex problem a lot easier.

[@StarSwarm.]

I really like the way you guys explain things. I know nothing about boat building but feel like I’m learning something every episode. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@robertwoelk26]

I am glad to see the oak going on. This will give you a stronger and more durable hull below the water line. As well as added weight lower down. Its It's always a pleasure to see the next episode. Great work .

[@CorwynGC]

I must say I am glad you are putting on more oak down low. I've seen too many boats that encountered something at or below waterline. Oak is nice insurance.

[@gregmirr]

Interesting , I've read thru the comments . So many comments are anxious people that want to see nothing but action . My father had a old time saying " Of course it's taking me so long , I know what i'm doing " . Boat building is an intensely complicated activity first thing you do is throw away your square and level that eliminates most carpenters . Great job guys keep up good work .

[@Garryck-1]

Well said, Greg.. and I'm totally stealing your father's saying! Love the remark about carpenters, too. I've seen a boat built by a carpenter.. talk about a bloody mess!

[@johnjenkins8782]

I'm glad she'll be oak to the waterline. They'll be less worries for underwater hazards when sailing around the world.

[@walterwilson1884]

Cheeky with the lighting on the ply board , you tricky bastard , I thaught the sun ☀️ was being super generous the first time I noticed it . I was like WOW . Sneaky buggers.

[@donlunn792]

I’m so glad that you went with Oak until almost the waterline. Not sure I fully understand the measurements or layout of the planking. But even at 74 I’m always ready to learn more. So I will run through the vids again,to try and make it sink in. Great vids Guys.I envy you.

[@timsaxer6442]

Steve and Alix; I am glad to see you put a few more oak planks up. I can see how strong the bottom of the boat will be with the oak planks tying in to the sole beams through the frames. I believe this will take a lot of stress away from the relatively weaker cedar planks. You guys are doing an amazing job!

[@BrianMCarney]

Alex's explanation of the setup and use of the diminishing board was terrific--clear and understandable. Thank you!

[@hankcohen3419]

Thank you for spending some time on lining off. I think that lofting, liniing off and spiling are the arcane secrets of boat building. People look at a well planked boat and think that all the planks are parallel and therefore square. Actually nothing could be further than the truth. Planks have some amazing complexity and the techniques necessary to make it look good are unique to boat building. Thad Danielson's soft spoken experience is a real treasure. There is no substitute for experience in these things. You will probably never build another boat like Arabella so you don't have the luxury of doing it better the second time. I had to smile at your sense of hardship at having to add a few more white oak strakes. To have more white oak than cedar is a luxury only you guys can enjoy. If you had known that was coming you could have probably saved a few hundredweight of lead. Next stop to your shop for a new Tshirt.

[@tolbaszy8067]

I am definitely going to have to watch this more than once!

[@TheAquaticMandolin]

Thad seems like one of those extremely knowledgeable guys that you have to be around and absorb their knowledge rather than have a conversation with. Not great with words but rich in time and skill.

[@AcornToArabella]

Still waters.

[@Steventhore]

Someone not born yet will take this boat on a journey. Looking forward to Arabella' original travels.

[@grumpyg9350]

Just finished watching the ad before your video....St Jude Children's Research Hospital. Killed the mood to watch your video, but made me think, and appreciate that organization. Wow. I really have nothing to complain about.

[@Paul-jz1lv]

Every time you show your wood piles, I get really jealous. You are very lucky to be able to source such fine lumber in your own backyard.

[@fieromike1]

“There’s the plan and then there’s what happens.” That’s something a very busy person says every day. Love watching you guys work keep it up I can’t wait to go sailing with you!

[@aserta]

Ain't that the truth. Plans never make it past the drawing board, not with finicky things such as wood. And if they do, either you're luckier than any other, or run a very, very tight ship.

[@Kenneth_James]

What work? They didnt get anything done.

[@Garryck-1]

@@Kenneth_James - Sure they did.. they got a lot of very important details worked out. Not everything about properly building a boat involves hands using tools. It also requires a lot of thinking with a functioning brain.

[@thomasarussellsr]

@@Kenneth_James the thinking work is often much more exhausting than the physical work. Besides, they did get some picking and dimensioning physical work done as well. Just because nothing got "glued and screwed" does not mean that no work was done.

[@ppulambe8311]

I'm actually glad more oak is going on below the waterline. Lot's of debris float just below waterline and not visible.

[@areallybradidea]

JORDAN!!!!! What a dude! helping people on the internet build boats! Love it!!!

[@MikeFloutier]

Your unhurried diligence is truly inspiring guys!

[@thomasarussellsr]

Patience is a virtue. Haste makes waste. There are all kinds of old one-liners that attempt to teach this lesson.

[@notme4206]

I found this particular episode the most entertaining and informative yet. Now I ALMOST fully understand the lining off process. Just need to know how the distance to the common point for the diaganols, along the axis perpendicular to station 6, is determined. This lining off business has befuddled me for a lifetime. Now I get it. Nothin to it. Thank You for the education.

[@harrymoyes5069]

I believe the point is arbitrary, within reason. You are working out a linear interpretation between the plank widths at each station. The steepness of the slope changes the accuracy of that interpolation, so presumably the gentlest slope you can fit on the layout board and still have the point of intersection accurately placed, is the best you can do.

[@notme4206]

That actually almost makes sense to me. The further the "arbitrary" point, the greater the accuracy. Thanks for the reply and again the education. I'd rather see the why and how than the what. And these guys do it best.

[@thomasarussellsr]

I'm still trying to figure out why the frame isn't made a bit thicker, then cut a flat section on the frame instead of backing out a curve into the planks?

[@DennisBishop]

I just discovered your channel a couple weeks ago and have been binge watching to catch up. I'm really enjoying the incredible attention to detail, the patient explanation of super complex principles, and most of all, watching Steve and Alix refine their skills. In fact, in your Q&A I'd like to hear more about this. It's obvious that Steve brought a ton of skill and experience (and talent!) to this build but I'd like to hear him talk about his continued development as a problem solver and craftsman. And I'd also like to hear Alix talk about his process of moving from a woodworking neophyte into a guy who shows a great deal of skill in a very short time. Even if you don't get to my suggestions, I really appreciate your build and appreciate your patience and diligence in tackling so many complex problems!

[@thomasarussellsr]

Wiser words were never spoken.. "there's a plan, then there's what actually happens". It's nice to see that you don't put every effort into sticking to "the plan", as that can get quite expensive. Being able to switch or alter plans on the fly can be a very valuable skill and mindset. It can save loads of money and reduce excess being left in a pile to rot, or save the time it would take to find a buyer for the left over materials that end up not being needed. Very mature thinking. Not much actual building progress in this video, but loads of thinking work done for sure. See y'all on the next one.

[@Makermook]

I admire the way you guys adapt to changing circumstances and don't get in a rush to make it "good enough."

[@hygri]

She's gonna look amazing with those planks sweeping up out the water. Also, Thad is so sharp it hurts. Like boaty-Feynman-sharp... That man wastes no words, and leaves nothing unsaid

[@johmstrom3523]

That is quite the compliment indeed me thinks. Well said!

[@davidc6510]

Great video guys - the diminishing board explanation on how to vary the width of the planks from the broad strakes to the shear line was awesome. I look forward to the next installment! I replayed the episode and just noticed the extra detail work around the prop shaft above Alix's head at the start of the video!

[@makeryguy]

Fascinating math- It's incredible how straight line geometry can map curves- Makes my brain tingle :) Outstanding footage gents!

[@makeryguy]

@@paulslevinsky580 I vividly remember lofting curves for the first time using a table of offsets. I built a 16' Chestnut Prospector from Ted Moore's Canoe craft. Watching A2A is so thorough and entertaining- The art of the craft is as well documented as the process itself! There is a simplicity that stands the test of time. From the museum you visited all the way to present day! Dividers, straight edges, chisels...I could go on for days...I live seeing the past being carried forward!

[@phuzz00]

Yes, this is why you should learn maths in school kids. So you can build your own boat!

[@petert3355]

@@phuzz00 And do other fun stuff......

[@makeryguy]

This is why building boats should be in school....so learning the "maths" is a tool, not a stand alone subject.

[@cumminsscout]

@@phuzz00 You don't need any math to understand the vanishing line graph.

[@johnburgess7065]

Nice work guys. I'm sure that you both have worked hard to be where you are today with your project. I also hope that you realise how very fortunate you are. Love your production. From a South African in Falmouth Uk.

[@SomeHomies]

Absolutely entertaining from start to finish. I really appreciate that you are putting so much connected content into one video instead of splitting it up. Although I always like to see progress of your job. Thank you very much for all the work you put into your videos!

[@philipmasters7491]

The great thing about a Plan is that you’ve got something to change!!

[@danbradley1943]

Such good old school knowledge and skills in your pool of helpers. So lucky. She will be strong and nimble with all the help.

[@taxirock90]

I love these boat building channels. It seems to be catching on. This one was my first and I've discovered others such as Sailcargo, Tally ho, odd life crafting, Sv seeker, Salt & Tar. So entertaining, inspiring and instructive.

[@michaelvangundy226]

I'm an old man. The Friday updates are great. Good video quality. I won't say that I understand what the layout is about but it's fun. Keep after it guys. I bet when the planking is done, it would be a milestone.

[@jimbranham3281]

I really enjoy watching you guys work and appreciate the time you take explaining things to us landlubbers.Thanks

[@jurgenblick5491]

I learn so much from you guys. Thank you

[@nic_the_aged_woodworker]

To many folk are criticising this episode, please stop. Boat building is a complex process and not everything is exciting and action packed. Keep up the instructional videos guys, thanks.

[@chooseymomschoose]

Yeah, there was so much love for the machining dude the last couple weeks, but no love for the process to measure out how the whole boat will look? Nerd stuff is important, kids.

[@cf6282]

I actually enjoy the explanations. So much thought and experience goes into getting it all right. They don’t take shortcuts as far as I can tell.

[@Garryck-1]

Well said, Nic. Too many clowns here think this channel exists just to entertain them!

[@salazarpayne3784]

Thank goodness (and you guys) this knowledge is archived forever so that future lads can accomplish similar gargantuan builds. Rock on men. Well done. You are doing life right.

[@More-Space-In-Ear]

Those rollers are making life so much better.....

[@Tinius]

Some of y'all forgot they are doing this to make a record of how they built Arabella. Not catering to you and your 5 min attention spans. Steve and Alix do more work incidentally than most you complainers ever did on purpose. Well done fellas. Keep rocking out. If you decide she needs anything from western side of Michigan, shoot me a message.

[@Garryck-1]

Well said, Tom!

[@TravelsWithGeordie]

Off the sheer is perfect! Love what you're doing!

[@abrahamtov364]

Awesome choice more Oak for Arabella, she will love that! Very cool that you take the time to really figure everything out. Measure twice cut once...

[@paulorchard7960]

You are blessed to get expert instruction on what could turn into a real head scratch to work out! One thing guys that I always do, paint your lofting board with white undercoat before you start, costs nothing but helps immeasurably!

[@thomasarussellsr]

Definitely would help with visability on camera.

[@donr416]

Glad you put more oak below the waterline. That is where things go bump in the night.

[@benters3509]

Very interesting going through the theory. It's what I enjoy. Some people have the attention span of a goldfish. Don't bother about them.

[@clem2usa]

Awesome video, y’all! Really liked the explanation of the diminishing board. Helped me visualize things a lot more 💜💜

[@mikedudley3053]

Great explanation of the mathematics that control her beautiful curving lines. thankyou lads. Am liking plan B.

[@judechandler5102]

my, god, this makes my week. Injured my elbow this week, and cannot ride my bike, but this has really made my day! keep up the hard work, it wont be long now!

[@cf6282]

Jude Chandler Get well soon. I really enjoy the building and see the progress. On the other hand I am going to miss it once they are done.

[@judechandler5102]

@@cf6282 I am hoping that they will do a sort of vlog on their journey around the world.

[@cliffstevenson5773]

Really excellent episode. Beautiful shots, pro editing (go Alix and Ben). The complex lining off story was clearly resolved during the diminishing board explanation. Can't wait to see the revisions after the oak strakes are accomplished.

[@NHHalKnowsHow]

That shop must smell amazing after planing all that cedar. You could make some lunch money selling those shavings!

[@lawrencebeeler6273]

You guys keep teasing us , but I will keep watching👍👍👍👍

[@joebrown1382]

Wow is this technical or what? I guess there's more to it than slapping boards on the frames to keep the water out. Getting very interesting now, can't wait for the planking.

[@Garryck-1]

Yes.. there's a LOT more to building a boat than almost any other kind of structure.. after all the whiners here moaning about "nothing happening", it's nice to see someone who actually *gets* it!

[@thomasarussellsr]

Yup, other constructions either keep moisture at bay via a thin membrane, i.e. houses and land buildings, or keep water in in small amounts, comparatively, i.e. tubs and pools. This type of construction takes and holds out liquid and much higher pressure than atmospheric pressures such as a house. The only things built to take much higher pressures are submarines. It is interesting to think a fallen leaf can float and some bugs can walk on water, but when you consider the weight difference, the structure must be so much stronger as the floating item gains in size and displacement. A strictly timber framed boat (using traditional timber-framed home design) would collapse under the load of the water, but can withstand hundreds of years sitting on solid ground. Still, many of the same joinery types can be seen in both erections. The span between major framing timbers are much closer in ship building. Just something I think about when watching tours of old ships versus old barns and houses.

[@aserta]

Did that in school. Very useful for figuring out perspective drawings and the like. Never...actually applied it in the real world, never felt the need that is.

[@brianmclellan1087]

I really like your educational explanations.

[@63256325N]

Nicely done video. Thanks.

[@cf6282]

Three cheers for Jordan from me! Took 3 months of to volunteer on two boat building projects! You rock!

[@DBacaMaker]

OMGs the advice you're getting at every step is AMAZING!

[@jameslewis8431]

i know it's a pain but i am glad to see you putting up some more oak .

[@chrisjamz2206]

Way to go lads!! So many details!! Always impressed !!

[@TheChunder3]

Your wood stack from inside looks like and reminds me of the grandness of a cathedral - so inspiring

[@thomasarussellsr]

I was thinking more like a Viking house, but yeah, I see the cathedral too.

[@metubewot]

Love the measured way you work.

[@salazarpayne3784]

"Life is what happens to you while you are busy doing other things" - J Lennon I'm really happy that you guys decided to not go buy Cedar. More oak is a perfect compromise. I couldn't possibly be more proud of two young men who are following through on a dream.

[@whatme3473]

role with the punches boys its good to see because it shows every detale . nice work love ur updates i watch every one ! and cant wate for the next. thankyou.

[@2DCardBored]

Great to watch this vessel come together. On the boat that owns me, all of the planks at the bow are the Sam width, and so are the widths at amidships or the place where the distance from the garboard to the deck is the greatest. From that the conclusion is drawn that the shape of the planks depends on the ratio between those distances, thus maintaining the sheer line.

[@ryanwalz2416]

I bought a hat, and it is now my favorite hat! Yall do a great job!

[@newbiereview6291]

Gentlemen I just came across your videos a few days ago and I binge watched them all. I'm not really into boat building but I love learning new things, so thank you. I am a carpenter though and I can see the diminishing board coming in handy from time to time so I wanted to get a better understanding of the point in which you diminished the lines. Everything else was very clear. I just didn't catch how you choose the distance to the point that that the lines diminish to. This point not being correctly placed would have an impact on the angle and that would translate to the individual thickness measurements. Thank you for the awesome job you both are doing documenting the project.

[@davidnisbet2057]

So my understanding is that he is measuring the distance between the stations up vertically until he hits the diagonal line at the top. Then the interesection between this new vertical line and all these diagonal lines show the plank widths, so nothing is measured along the other axis so it doesn't matter where it vanishes. I also found that difficult to grasp from the explanation

[@mikepetersen5024]

It's good that you can be flexible with the build. Not sure I understand the math exactly but I have the concept. Thanks!

[@shawnstrode3825]

The advantage of more oak below the water line is strength and ballast.

[@travelinman70]

Will the additional ballast affect the water line? Not that the water line is literal.

[@KingdaToro]

@@travelinman70 They can just put fewer lead ballast weights in the bilge. The keel alone is purposefully not heavy enough to provide all the ballast weight that the boat needs.

[@FlourescentPotato]

The older man helping is the most interesting part.

[@patmancrowley8509]

Before you discussed the lack of cedar and the need to use more oak I was saying to myself "self," I says, "I had been hoping that Stephen and Alix would use oak up to the water line." So there you go!

[@thomasarussellsr]

Well narrated.

[@operator0]

You know, at this point, wouldn't it make sense to just use the oak all the way up to and a little past the water line maybe? I imagine Oak is going to take a collision much better than cedar. I always hear stories of boats running into containers that have fallen off container ships. These containers float just below the surface of the water and are very hard to see and quite a few boats have been holed by them. Maybe there's no real advantage to oak over cedar in this scenario though, I don't know, but it seems like if you're going this far with the Oak, one more plank to bring it just above the water line wouldn't be that much more work for potentially a lot more protection.

[@marcryvon]

I'm usualy good at geometry, heck, I've been an architectural tech for 25 years, but here, you've lost me completely ! Guys, you are impressive, again ! BTW, who is that gentleman Fred Danielson ? He impresses me so much, being so cool talking, slowly moving, as if he calculates every move he does. Reminds me kind of a shaman, a highly knowleged man, been there, done that. 👍👌

[@k.w.landry9820]

Apparently I've got to weigh in on whether illustration and education or 'just work'. Well, I'm for the former, illustration and education, 'cause otherwise it's just a build, and, while interesting, not that different from all the rest other than it's uniqueness of materials source. And, as one of you has a Masters in Education I find the illustration and education part really quite good, and makes you stand out *along with* the interesting build. Also, it's important to know this thing isn't *magically* coming together, so, week after week of just progress may entertain the flighty, but loses integrity to the heart of why you're doing this to begin with, Regardless, keep up the good work, still enjoying the videos, thanks.

[@Garryck-1]

Well said!

[@thomasarussellsr]

I concur, we'll said.

[@bobbailey4954]

Great video

[@jimmac521]

nice highlighting edit on the plywood...

[@voodoo273]

Shirt design suggestion~~ Arabella caught in a storm drawn as a goofy cartoon style. Arabella in black and white and the ocean and lightning in color

[@dbriggs1689]

Seems like a person handy with CAD would be extremely helpful here in deciding what exact thickness to go with. It would be cool to see a virtual Arabella changing while tweaking the numbers. I love that they are considering the overall aesthetics of the project as well as the functionality. It would be very difficult to find that just right balance between the two.

[@bobhargesheimer3514]

Good call. Maybe it's just me, but I really like the idea of oak below the waterline. Think you'll sleep better.

[@edwardrittersdorf8553]

Clear as mud!

[@jannerkev]

Its happening. The boards are going up. Woo . Coming on famously.love it.

[@markkmiecik9797]

Wouldn't it be best to put the best timber below the waterline where it would last the longest? And you answered my question in less than a minute as I continued watching. I have now learned to wait until the end with any questions.

[@delboy2596]

Some boat builders have CAD. You guys have Joe. He's a top bloke.

[@rick91443]

One of the high points of my week(pretty dull life?) cheers....rr Normandy

[@arizonaguy7574]

Thank you, gentlemen.

[@ronstevens6656]

Happy Friday!

[@RobertFay]

*Am I correct… even width planking shows off the lines and shape of the hull, like Viking boats do … and planning that holds level to the water line hides the shape and lines of the hull, but making the boat look “sleek” and smooth. I think I would prefer the Viking lines (but I would have to build a model to scale both ways so I could see the difference for real and to decide). Still, you sure did learn a lot and taught us landlubbers a thing or two. Thank you for your efforts. ||| I like the oak planking up to and even a foot above waterline idea… oak is tougher against stuff floating in the water you don’t/can’t see that can punch holes (or like ice when you venture up north or south).*

[@corlissmedia2.0]

The update lead-ins work very very well!

[@jlemieu1]

she might need a nickname like "ironsides below the line", keep up the good work

[@scottjones462]

Fascinating to see the diminishing line explanation but, does it matter in a scale sense where (how far) the vanishing point is ?

[@OuroborosArmory]

It’s absolutely crazy how much you guys have done... I watched you create the boathouse twice... and now it’s a nice little building..could last years. Have you thought how you will get the boat out, or will it be a dismantling the boat house from around the boat.

[@kevintaylor791]

I wanna come visit and just throw a tarp over that cedar rack and unroll my sleeping bag in the middle. Would be like some kind of aroma therapy spa.

[@bobuk5722]

Old joke, "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans." BobUK.

[@loonatticat]

Robert Hawtin “So what do you think? A 14” wide sheer strake?” Then God laughed.

[@thomasarussellsr]

@@loonatticat only if you start out with 4 1/2 inch thick stock to allow for the backing out and outside shaping. But who wants to bend a canoe into shape around the hull? Ha ha ha.

[@henrykrzewinski2299]

Good call. Heavier white oak below waterline will add to ballast while adding more strength to region where all joints come together. Also white oak may repel rocks and floating logs or driftwood.

[@IstasPumaNevada]

I noticed you have a 16-300mm Tamron lens on your wishlist. I'd like to draw your attention to the Sigma 18-300mm lens. Nearly exactly the same specs, also macro, also Canon mount available. I have the Sigma 18-300 and it's my absolute favorite go-to lens for its image quality and focal range. And it's $230 _less_ than the Tamron. Tamron 16-300mm: $630 Sigma 18-300mm: $400

[@Tammy-un3ql]

The highlight of my week

[@MaxMakerChannel]

Oh hey, it would be great for us watching at home to know on what side of the boat you are filming and where the front is. Maybe a giant arrow on the keel? Its hard to keep track.

[@schwarzermoritz]

The bow curves, the Sternpost is straight and has the propeller aperture notched out.

[@r.blakehole932]

I think long term more oak under the water line will be a good decision. Much greater resistance to small scrapes and bumps in the water.

[@garyschraa7947]

Hey , over there do you guys have an old Georgia bucket ? Reason I ask is because I had the luck of having two at my disposal all the way in California for clean up on 10 acres of ranch house land in Riverdale Ca. Amazing piece of engineering .