Page "Clinker (boat building)" Paragraph 14

With the timbers all fitted, longitudinal members are bent in.

The thwart risings are fastened through the timbers with its upper edge on the level of the undersides of the thwarts.

Bilge keels are added to the outside of the land on which the boat would lie on a hard surface to stiffen it and protect it from wear.

A stringer is usually fitted round the inside of each bilge to strengthen it.

In a small boat, this is usually arranged to serve also as a means of retaining the bottom boards.

These are removable assemblies, shaped to lie over the bottom timbers and be walked upon.

They spread the stresses from the crew's weight across the bottom structure.