Copper nails and roves, what size to use.???

by Fred
(Auburn,Maine)

I am building a 18ft launch, using copper nails and roves and lapstrake planking.

The boards are 1/2 inch thick.

It will have an inboard diesel 18 hp engine.

The board are 6 inches wide and there will 10 on each side.

The question is what size copper nail I should use and how far apart they should be spaced?

Where could I find this info.

Have several wooden boat building books that describe the technique, but no comments regarding sizes, etc.

Comments for Copper nails and roves, what size to use.???

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Feb 02, 2015
 Copper nails and Roves.
by: John

For an 18ft diesel launch I would (and have)used
12guage copper nails with 7/16 roves.

1.5 in nails for planking (420 per kilo)

2in for timbers/ribs (420 per kilo)

This is asuming 1/2in planks with 1 x 7/8 ribs.

Ribs at 6in centres.

Two plank nails between.

A fastening every two inches.

With planks of this dimension fastenings at 2 1/2 in centres is a watertight joint once swelled.
Nov 22, 2012
 Priming
by: Anonymous

If you are using something like Dolphinite or Pettit's seam compound it is a good idea to prime with red lead first, or even CPES.
Nov 22, 2012
 Bedding compound application
by: Fred

Is bedding compound designed to be applied to the bare wood or do the boards/planks need to be pretreated?.
Nov 22, 2012
 Bedding the Laps
by: Mike

In theory you shouldn’t need anything along the laps.

But I’d be tempted to use some bedding compound.

Don’t mix sealant with it.
Nov 22, 2012
 ? Use of caulk/putty
by: Fred

Thanks for your advise.

The next question would be whether I should put some type of sealant/putty between the planks as the are being mounted.

I will be using bedding compound for the first boards as they attach to the keel assembly, as well as the stem and stern attachments.

Should I put some type of sealant before applying putty or bedding or would this hamper any necessary swelling of the planks to make her water tight when launched?
Nov 22, 2012
 Lapstrake Nails
by: Mike

10 gauge should be fine.

As you are building her over moulds you will need to nail her before turning her.

Depending on how far apart the frames are you will want at least one nail through the laps in between the frames.

Mark where the frames are going to be then see how much room you have between.

Anywhere between 4 and 6 inches apart should be plenty.
Nov 22, 2012
 Reply
by: Fred

Thanks for the helpful chart.

I likely will use a 10gauge nail, but am still wondering whether to space it at 3,4 or 6 inches between the nails.

It will make a big difference in the amount of rivets/nails and roves needed.

The launch has a white oak keel and stem and white cedar lapstrake planking over frames.

Therefore the initial boat will need to be turned upside down and internal ribs added after the planking is done.



Nov 22, 2012
 Herreshoff’s Rules
by: Mike

Hi Fred,

Below is a table from "Herreshoff’s Rules for the Construction of Wooden Yachts"

It only starts with 3/4inch planking and it does relate to carvel construction but at least it gives an idea of the maximum sizes needed.



And below is a table showing wood screw sizes.



As a rivet and rove has a better holding power than a screw in the same situation this would suggest that a nail gauge of 8 would be way over the top for you construction.

The number of nails is going to be governed by the number of frames or ribs.

Are you building from plans and if so how many ribs are specified?

And are you building her over moulds?

Oh, and don’t forget the length, you will want to allow at least 1/2inch showing on the inside to for ease of riveting.

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