Plank on Frame vs. Plywood on Jig

[Agitated88]

Love these threads...

[clunan1]

Can somebody put up some pictures, showing the difference between the two? I understand cold molded, but i'm not sure about plank on a frame.

[clt_capt]

A cold molded boat is built upside down using a jig that does not become part of the finished structure.

A plank and frame boat is built upright - it consists of a series of frames which are integral to the hull as shown below



The frame is then covered by planks;



The above show a couple of Paul Mann hulls under Construction.

[billschwabe]

Here's some cold molded pics. The transverse plywood frames (jigs) all come out leaving the hull completely open inside with no frames taking up valuable interior space.

[clunan1]

Thanks for the pics. I just purchased a Palm Beach 30 footer and wanted to be sure I understood the difference between the two.

[tgm]

They both ride well, but the plank on frame is strong as it gets.

I've owned and fished both.

Sportsman 45, if you were in the market for a 64-68 SF, then I am assuming you would be taking a hard look at Paul Mann and Scarborough vs Briggs, Jarrett Bay,ACY,Willis ( FL ) as well as cored builders like Spencer and Garlington.

[Dog Pooh]

Those are some cool pics, Work of art.

[Sportsman 45]

Sportsman 45, if you were in the market for a 64-68 SF, then I am assuming you would be taking a hard look at Paul Mann and Scarborough vs Briggs, Jarrett Bay,ACY,Willis ( FL ) as well as cored builders like Spencer and Garlington.

Power to weight will always be the decider in that size, where your fishing , how far from home, creature comforts, etc. etc.. I must admit I like the Paul Mann boats.

[tgm]

What do you think sets Paul Mann apart from the other builds ?

[mikehalseyjr]

How about plank on frame covered by a layer of bi-directional Okoume plywood and glass?

As far as performance, that has to be more deified.

Are we talking lightweight and speed or something that can blast through the waves and not give up much momentum?

A lot of people are under the impression that lighter is better.

Perhaps it is if you fish in a mill pond. I'm from the other camp. There's something to be said for weight combined with strength.

As someone told me a while ago "There ain't no replacement for displacement".

I agree with FO's statement. I like gross weight. I've fished 33 & 36 GW boats for example. They're half the weight of the same size diesel express. The boat just skips along while fishing and while they are fast and get decent fuel econ. . .I like to be comfy.

Now I have not been on a full custom 50+ footer running into 6' head seas to compare plank/frame or cold mold.

I am 30k lb dry, with 560 gal of fuel, 100 gal water, all gear and 6 man crew, It is prob around 35-36k lb.

Mike