Healing the Break
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Review
This article discusses why the old practice of sister framing was unsound engineering and results in lower strength than the original construction plus lower resale value for the boat. It discusses traditional frame replacement and laminated frame replacement and then explores a method of repairing broken frames in place in a manner that results even in straight sections in the same strength as unbroken wood and in tight curves tends to be significantly stronger than the original construction without an increase in weight. We call this method the "Scotsman". The article is illustrated with a line drawing showing the stages of the process and with photos taken of a recent project. By the way this same type of technique is excellent for repairing planking butts, damaged planks, and holes where through hulls have been removed, etc. Of course in those cases other methods are also perfectly proper.