Caulking Vs Splines - any advice

[Seagreen]

Going to restore a hull, mahogany on oak frames with splines.
I can see daylight through one or two seams, not surprising as the boat has been out of the water for 2 years. My normal reaction would be to caulk lightly, but I think that these seams should take up if really immersed. I don't want to respline if not absolutely necessary, but I'd rather restore, not bodge. And as I'm asking this, you know I'm not an expert. Any advice please?

BTW, this is posted on PBO reader to reader, but they suggested here.

Mac

 

[Porthandbuoy]

I don't think caulking the seams on a splined hull is such a good idea. My reasoning as follows:
1. She was designed to be splined.
2. The splines will be a slightly softer wood than the planking and will absorb the compression as the planks take up.
3. If you put caulking in where there are gaps, she will probably open up where currently there aren't any gaps.
4. You need to prime the seam with paint prior to caulking. Do that and you can forget about ever glueing the splines back in.

If the splines are still fair to the hull. ie. not falling out, she should take up okay. If the splines are loose they need to be glued back in place, but it would be better if she was given the chance to take up some.

 

[Hephzibah]

I agree with Mariposa. I have a boat with a splined hull and clean the bilges with a feather duster. (perhaps a slight exaggeration!) Under normal circs, regular painting is all that a splined hull needs.
My hull was built by Priors of Burnham on Crouch in 1963 and rebuilt by them in 1995. They seem to know about splining so perhaps ask them.
Good luck

 

[trouville]

What boat is it?? Is she motor or sail? how big, some detail would help.
I dont see any problems but some work, still it depends very much what were looking at.

 

[mclark]

If I were in your situation I would push some soft putty into the gaps, assuming you are fairly sure the boat will take up to the point where the gaps close. You can do nothing permanent at this stage since all the timbers are so dry and shrunk.

If you put her back in the water again - as she takes up the putty keep her from leaking too much but will be forced out as the planks swell.

After she has taken up properly you can have another look at her and decide if its necessary to re-spline her in places.

If you spline her now, as the planking swells, the planks will be unable to expand because of the presence of the splines and so will probably force the planks off the frames.

Should you decide after she has taken up that she does indeed need re-splining in places you will have to route out the seams anyway, in order to find clean timber for the glue to stick to.

Cheers

Mike Clark