Clink Clink Clinker

Our first City and Guilds assessment is the level 2 woodworking assessment - done in week 6 of the BBA course. I’m doing a C&G 2451 level 2 and 3 (in Boatbuilding and repair) during the year as a side effect of doing the BBA course so we get these assessment modules to check that we know all the official sylabus stuff.

This assessment is to build a section of a traditional clinker boat. It’s not very realistic as there are only two dimensional curves - but it is still a step up from the simple joinery that we have been doing so far.

The pictures say more than a description can. Lots of curves to create (spokeshaves galore), steamed oak timbers (nice and messy) and loads of copper nails, roves and holding on tight to ‘Dolly’ the dolly while trying not to deafen oneself (of course we all always wear ear defenders while rivetting…)

The practical work was great - but the written work to go with it was contrived and tedious. Save us from the bureaucrats…

The floors now seem to fit…

And the copper nails are more or less tidied up..

After roving 52 copper nails I have decided that traditional clinker boatbuilding is probably not for me. I’d rather be able to talk while I work.