Nettlesome Episode 26a: Diagonal Support Beams -- May-June 2026

In this video about construction of the Haven 12 1/2, I cut and fashion the diagonal support beams, part of the deck structure that supports the coaming. For reference, I have drawn on Bob Emser's The Art of Boat Building, Chuck Jenkins' Haven building series, and Maynard Bray's book How to Build the Haven 12 1/2. In addition, there are helpful articles on restoring Herreshoffs from Wooden Boat magazine, hosted by the Herreshoff Catalogue Raisonne, which help understand the challenges, the materials, and the process. I have also enjoyed, been inspired by, and learned from fellow builders documenting their work on social media channels on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. Jenkins Boat Works, episode 68: (   • The Haven 12 1/2 - Coaming part 1 - Episod...   ) The Art of Boat Building, episode 38: (   • Wooden Boat Building, Installing Deck Beam...  ) Maynard Bray, How to Build the Haven 12 1/2 Footer, step 181: (https://www.woodenboatstore.com/produ...) Herreshoff Restoration Articles: Pt 1 (https://herreshoff.info/Docs/AuxDocs/...) Pt 2 (https://herreshoff.info/Docs/AuxDocs/...) For the construction of a Joel White Flatfish, a centerboard adaptation of a Herreshoff Fish Class, see Sam Allen's web site (https://samallensboat.com/). The products and vendors were completely mysterious to me at the outset of the project, so I generally highlight them and the tools I use. In these steps, there generally were none except my ‪@dewalttv‬ thickness planer, one of the best investments I made in the whole project. In fact, I'd almost say you never go wrong paying more for DeWalt if you're going to be working on a project for a year or more. Some construction details: When you spring the batten to scribe the diagonal support beam and coaming, on the 6th station beam you clamp the batten on the center line. On the 7th (the bulkhead beam), you are about 16.25" from the center line, and the batten continues until the beam terminates just fore of the 11th frame. With those three points you can get the curve. As always, eyeball it and adjust to find a fair curve. The coaming will tilt outwards, so you want the inside, cockpit-facing curve of the diagonal beam to be beveled a bit.