Clinker lands +high modulus Sikaflex ?

[plimb]

I am looking to buy an attractive 12 ft. clinker sailing dinghy which I am told is ' Dry sailed' as all the seams have been payed with high modulus Sikaflex to keep them watertight. she is built of mahogany on steamed oak frames and fastened with copper rivets she is 59 years old. I intend to keep her ashore whilst not being sailed. I wonder if whilst being sailed in sea water the planks natural inclination to 'take up' and expand may compete with the sealant not put strain on the structure of the hull. I hope this boat may have a reasonable hope of prolonged longevity but I'm not sure. Does anyone have experience or ideas on this subject please?

 

[JimC]

I think she will be OK. After all in traditional clinker construction the planks are rivetted together along the lands using nails clenched over roves which draws the planks tightly together. If this method can cope with the expansion of the planks when they take-up then surely Sikaflex will.

She won't have the problem of leaking when put back into the water after drying out, which most traditional clinker-built boats have.

 

[lw395]

The sikaflex may tend to tear as the planks move. Any filler in gaps between the planks tends to hold the planks apart, particularly if the hull was gappy enough to warrant the sikaflex in the first place.
In my view there are two sound approaches to clinker, the traditional way and the modern WEST epoxy way.
I would have reservations about anything in between.
Some people however do well with low modulus, even non-setting stuff in clinker.
It may be that the boat, being dry sailed, does not really need the sikaflex, if it is just fairing the lands rather than between the planks it may be fine.
I would suggest getting advice from someone who can actually look at the boat. Ideally a real boatbuilder, I am just a user!
Some useful people can be found via the CVDRA (classic and vintage dinghies) and the Merlin Rocket Association.

 

[forelle541]

I used to use the same on my old Folkboat worked really well no problem.

 

[tidclacy]

From my experience with clinker dingys they are much better left alone. I have seem some with sealant but they dont last long. The wood will expand and split the planks. you may get away with it with dry sailing.

Try the classic and wooden boat forum, a wealth of knowlege there.

 

[forelle541]

Had mine 20 years and still floating.