The Elements of Boat Strength: For Builders, Designers, and Owners / Edition 1

by Dave Gerr

Overview

"This work is significant. It is the first to include a method of assessing structural strength in the context of the modern marine environment." —Commander M. C. Cruder, U.S. Coast Guard

Acclaimed author and naval architect Dave Gerr created this unique system of easy-to-use scantling rules and rules-of-thumb for calculating the necessary dimensions, or scantlings, of hulls, decks, and other boat parts, whether built of fiberglass, wood, wood-epoxy composite, steel, or aluminum. In addition to the rules themselves, The Elements of Boat Strength offers their context: an in-depth, plain-English discussion of boatbuilding materials, methods, and practices that will guide you through all aspects of boat construction.

Now you can avoid wading through dense technical engineering manuals or tackling advanced mathematics. The Elements of Boat Strength has all the formulas, tables, illustrations, and charts you need to judge how heavy each piece of your boat should be in order to last and be safe. With this book, an inexpensive scientific calculator, and a pad of paper, you'll be able to design and specify all the components necessary to build a sound, long-lasting, rugged vessel.

What reviewers have said about Dave Gerr's books:

Propeller Handbook

"By far the best book available on the subject."—Sailing

"The best layman's guide we've ever read."—Practical Sailor

Dave Gerr and International Marine made a complicated topic understandable and put it into a handbook that is easy to use."—WoodenBoat

"Without doubt the definitive reference for selecting, installing, and understanding boat propellers."—Royal Navy Sailing Association Journal

The Nature of Boats

"If you are not nautically obsessed before reading this book, you will most certainly be afterward."—Sailing

Fascinating potpourri of information about today's boats, modern and traditional."—WoodenBoat

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780070231597
Publisher:	McGraw Hill LLC
Publication date:	08/23/1999
Edition description:	List
Pages:	384
Product dimensions:	7.30(w) x 9.50(h) x 0.93(d)

About the Author

Dave Gerr (rhymes with "bear") is a naval architect who designs both yachts and commercial vessels. A contributing editor for Boatbuilding, Yachting, and Offshore magazines, he is the author of Propeller Handbook, the industry standard reference on props, and the acclaimed Nature of Boats, both International Marine books.

Table of Contents

List of Formulas, Tables, and Charts

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1. Scantling Rules and the Scantling Number

2. Fiberglass Construction Materials and Methods

3. Fiberglass Design Considerations, Modern Laminates, and One-Off Construction Methods

4. Fiberglass Scantling Rule: Basic Solid-Glass Hull Shell

5. Fiberglass: Internal Structure

6. Fiberglass Sandwich or Cored Construction

7. Wood Construction Materials and Methods

8. Wood Design Considerations

9. Plank-on-Frame Scantling Rule

10. Fasteners, Straps, Knees, and Details

11. Modern Wood-Epoxy Construction

12. Wood: Species, Type, and Application

13. Aluminum and Steel Construction Materials and Methods

14. Aluminum and Steel Design Considerations

15. Aluminum and Steel Shell Plate and Longitudinal Framing

16. Aluminum and Steel Structural Details

17. Aluminum and Steel Alternate Construction Methods

18. Welding, Small Openings, and Riveting Aluminum

19. Small Aluminum Boats and Copper-Nickel Hulls

Appendix 1: Photo Gallery

Appendix 2: Pipe Sizes and Properties Table

Appendix 3: Bolt-Strength Tables

Appendix 4: Finding Specific Gravity

Appendix 5: Measure and Unit Conversion Tables

Bibliography

Index