Materials and tools in maritime crafts
Wood, fibreglass, canvas and the equipment you shape them with
In the maritime crafts the material is not indifferent — it determines how you work. A piece of wood a fiberglass layer and a piece of canvas each make their own demands and if you understand the materials you choose both the right tool and the right procedure.
§Wood — the living material
Wood is still a central material in boat building. It has grain that runs in one direction, and it absorbs and releases moisture so it 'works'. A boat builder must be able to read the wood: choose the right type for the purpose, understand how it can be bent and joined, and account for the fact that it moves over time. Tools for wood range from hand planes and chisels to machines, and much of the art is in making joints tight and strong.
§Fibreglass and composite
Many modern boats are built in fibreglass where layers of fibre cloth are saturated with a curing liquid and cast in a mould. It gives a strong dimensionally stable hull but requires care: the layers must be laid correctly and work with chemical products demands both technique and safety. The boat builder must also be able to repair fibreglass and know phenomena such as osmosis — when water over time penetrates into the material.
§Sailcloth rope and wire
The sailmaker's materials are sailcloth thread rope and wire. Sailcloth comes in different types with different strengths and stretch properties and the choice depends on what the sail should do. Rope and wire are used for rigging and to reinforce and secure. Knowing the materials' properties — what stretches what holds its shape what tolerates sun and salt — is crucial for a sail that both works and lasts.
Materials and what they are used for
| Material | Usually used for |
|---|---|
| Wood | Hull, furnishings and repairs in traditional boatbuilding |
| Fibreglass / composite | Cast hulls and repairs in modern boats |
| Sailcloth | Sails canvas and tarpaulins |
| Tov | Rigging, fastening and reinforcement |
| Wire | Standing rigging and power transmission |
| Glue and hardening agents | Tight, strong joints in wood and composite |
§Tool from hand to machine
The tool spans widely: hand tools for fine and precise work, machines for heavy and repetitive work, and special tools for joining — sewing machines for heavy canvas at the sail maker, clamping and pressing equipment at the boat builder. Some measurement and marking also takes place on computer before the material is processed. The right tool for the material is half of a good result.
§Care of materials and tools
Materials must be stored correctly — wood dry and stable sheeting clean and without sharp bends chemical products responsibly. And tools that are sharp clean and in order give a better result and are safer to use. In a trade where the result must withstand harsh conditions quality begins long before the finished part.
“Lær materialet at kende, før du former det — så vælger værktøjet og fremgangen næsten sig selv.”