Carvel Planking Ep21: Interior Trim

The interior trim has been fitted in the 24' Ranger class carvel-planked gaff rigged sloop being built by retired boatbuilder Ian Smith the founder and Principal of the Sydney Wooden Boat School. Smithy explains that while this is not intended to be a general woodworking lesson it contains lots of tips from his near half-century of building wooden boats and teaching others how to do it. He's using Australian Red Cedar (Toona Ciliata), a distant relative of Mahogany for all of the trim from bulkhead cappings to fiddles. His advice on customising trim shapes slightly is invaluable in that it can raise ordinary-looking trim to something very classy. This is another great episode in the Carvel Planking series on @SmithysBoatshed channel.

[@DAVIDMILLER-nc9vo]

I appreciate the use of the Latin names for the wood species. Too often the wood (in other peoples channels, not here) is misnamed or not identified; Smith is a great teacher so he knows how to communicate. He's a great boatbuilder, historian, teacher and writer. All of those rolled into one! Lucky we are to have him on You Tube. I recommend his books!

[@rogerbayzand4455]

Thank you Ian, as always good design and construction tips, I had to chuckle about the owners getting the shits if the interior has to be destroyed to to do a repair. I think the shipwright sneering at the joiners probably came from a big yard where the trades were seperate, there always was a touch of rivalry and certainly plenty of banter.

[@thedolphin5428]

I'm surprised you have so many plugged, removable trim bits. I make modular furniture units, all the way back to the ribs and planking, firmly secured in hidden places for potential removal as units or sub-units.

[@thedolphin5428]

My rule of thumb for internals is one chosen hardwood for the glued and screwed structural bits, and no more than two contrasting colours of soft wood (including any varnished plywood) for the pretty stuff. What with some paintwork, plus the upholstery, that's enough variation (5 tones) for me!

[@soylentgreen326]

Ahhh now l know why my dad did all the tapering out 🤔 don’t think he had any boat background though ❤

[@paulbriggs3072]

Very good advice about that rounding of flat trim surfaces to make a more beautiful effect. Wow, do a lot of modern furniture designers in this world need to see this! I find that a lot simple things like this were added to simple country furniture of the 1810-1830 period here where I live in rural New York, and these make excellent design features that are simple as well. Often they were all that was needed to make a classical effect. Your rounding or swelling of some trim pieces falls into a similar category. Great advice!

[@SmithysBoatshed]

Yep, it takes a little extra time but it’s worth it.

[@davidwalsh7603]

As a furniture maker Ian I agree with you entirely, its amazing how you can soften or harden lines edges and shapes etc with the mouldings

[@SmithysBoatshed]

Yep, a bit of extra work but well worth it.

[@waterboy8999]

That's some lovely looking work in there ian! I love it.
I've been told so many times it looks great, when I'm saying it's not quite right and then a few more strokes with the trusty old block plane usually does the trick.
What about carved octopus for the mug rack? holds 8 mugs.
Thanks for posting these fantastic videos.

[@SmithysBoatshed]

Thanks for that. The octopus would probably go well with the mermaid, but I don’t think I’ll do it.

[@Finn-McCool]

Too many types of interior timbers tend toward torturing trim carpenters training apprentices to stay technically conservative yet stunningly attractive.

[@SmithysBoatshed]

I had to read that a couple of times, but of course you’re right.

[@Finn-McCool]

@@SmithysBoatshed your channel is very interesting and your work is FANTASTIC. 👍

[@The01sadie]

Genuinely look forward to these videos! Such beautiful work, and thanks for freely giving your knowledge.

[@SmithysBoatshed]

No worries, there will be more.

[@richardjoy5060]

Always very interesting and informative videos. Thanks

[@SmithysBoatshed]

Thanks RJ, there’ll be more.

[@martyhill6609]

Lovely warm look Ian.. Most inspiring.. Thnx.

[@SmithysBoatshed]

Cheers Marty, now get back to work!

[@martyhill6609]

@@SmithysBoatshed I'm too busy building this boat to work..😉

[@sydneyharbourscenery1206]

Another beauty.Keep it up.

[@SmithysBoatshed]

Thanks, I’ll keep it up as long as I can!

[@oldwillie313]

Another great video! One of the two best boat building channels on the Internet. Looking forward to you laying the deck.

[@SmithysBoatshed]

Thanks, tell your friends!