Seems to be resistant to rot, is very smooth and hard, barely oily, just enough to prevent it from feeling dry. Problem the boat's usual route,the Bass Strait & Westernport Bay, is minefield of obstacles if one deviates from safety. Hence the rigorous hull structure. The Victorian Ash ribs, between each to prevent a breech, two courses of Spotted gum planks (Laid in a running bond), the second to back the caravel laid planks, also to help brace the ribs apart. Behind that there will either be fire-retardant insulate or a foam with similar properties. This is to combat the fact the gaps between the courses of the Spotted gum will be filled with pitch and my own special felt to provide waterproofing and rot-proof layers. For added strength, the supports for the deck run abeam of the ship meeting at the waterline and just above the keel (Exceptions are present for ribs that run near the retractable keel). As the Victorian Berth for this proposed design is ringed with sharpest reefs I've ever seen in the Australasian region, the keel and underside of the hull will be sheathed in a course of 1/2" Australian Ironwood with a backing of 1/5" Buloke and a face of 1/4". This should also deter ship-worms and barnacles, I doubt many would like chewing into Buloke which should help anti-fouling measure should large portions of paint be removed. this also adds to ballast, which will also include concrete weights and iron bracing.
The keel I'm not exactly decided upon, Buloke in that shape and length is very hard to obtain so most likely spotted gum or Vic ash. A false keel runs the length of the keel, considering most of the keel is hidden by the planking and is flush with the surface mostly
I'm still deciding whether or not to have a retractable propeller and a square sail as well.
Still a WIP whilst I work on the rigging and hull shading
