Shape or Profile of Timber Coaming
Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2014 10:01 pm
I am about to start the shaping of the port and stbd timber cockpit coamings. Although my Australian DS1 did not have coamings as standard, I like the look of the DS1's in the gallery which have plenty of timber details. My question relates to the longitudinal shape and how that impacts on their purpose, which was, I believe to increase the freeboard, particularly towards the aft end of the cockpit as this is where most writers here report water coming on board.
If this was their purpose, why is it that most examples I have seen on this website rise towards the front of the cockpit, where freeboard is greatest, and appear lower, relative to the deck, towards the aft end where due to lower freeboard, the risk of taken on water when healed is greatest??
Is it just that ascetically this appears better or is there a reason? My boat has the standard swivelling jib sheet eye and cam cleat on the side deck which will limit the height of the coaming forward and therefore reduce the height even further aft.
Any advice re this profile before I start shaping the coamings would be appreciated.
BTW I am not concerned that the coamings will make "sitting out" uncomfortable as it is not my intention to race. That I have done for over 50yrs. Now I intend to take it easy.
Cheers, Greg
If this was their purpose, why is it that most examples I have seen on this website rise towards the front of the cockpit, where freeboard is greatest, and appear lower, relative to the deck, towards the aft end where due to lower freeboard, the risk of taken on water when healed is greatest??
Is it just that ascetically this appears better or is there a reason? My boat has the standard swivelling jib sheet eye and cam cleat on the side deck which will limit the height of the coaming forward and therefore reduce the height even further aft.
Any advice re this profile before I start shaping the coamings would be appreciated.
BTW I am not concerned that the coamings will make "sitting out" uncomfortable as it is not my intention to race. That I have done for over 50yrs. Now I intend to take it easy.
Cheers, Greg