Scantlings are more than just dimesions.... They are dimesions given with
reference to the components orientation in the boat.
A stringer near waterline level in the boat might be 2in by 3in..... if i
said 2in high and 32 wide... you would not know which was what because the
component is angled in its correct position at about 45deg.............
Scantling give the dat in a form that elliminates the possable confusion...
(cant remember right now the details)


"Amgine" wrote in message
om...
Working on a jargon article for SailWiki (http://wiki.saewyc.net)

From Hiscock's "Cruising under Sail" - Scantlings: The dimensions of
the members used in the construction of a vessel.

I always thought scantlings were primarily the dimensions of the
skin/deck planking, not just the frames? And of course with other
materials like fiberglass there might not be *any* internal structure.
So what would a one-sentence overview definition of "scantlings" be?

Amgine