There are many tricks for bending wood for boat building – most involve steam and a box or closed area for the wood and steam to meet up and party while the wood gets all woozy and pliable! Frames and planks are most often bent and then placed on the boat, but there are many ways to skin this cat – and many opinions. So we look to master boatbuilder, Dan Shea of Bristol Boat Company, who has his own tried and true method.
It looks easy and seems to work very well judging by the beautiful boats his little shed behind the Herreshoff Marine Museum cranks out. So we’ll leave this up to Dan to explain. This nice video will give you insight into what it takes to get those wooden pieces to bend so nicely…. all it takes is some steam and lots of muscle. (and a sweet jig.)
Enjoy!