Edgar Cove Clinker boat

[EdgarCove]

Following recent posts regarding removal of epoxy and paint to the hull of a 15 foot 1960's timber Clinker Edgar Cove boat.... it was my intention to 'flip' the boat over ( epoxy removed from gunwale to 'water line'...and engine removed) so that the bottom of the boat can be sanded back to the original timber.... BUT I have been told today ...." under no circumstances flip the boat over because you shall badly damage it".... I would appreciate your thoughts on this as I don't fancy spending the next week or so on my back sanding ..(the boat is on a trailer at present)


Steve

 

[oldbloke]

There is no problem in having the boat upside done. It needs supporting properly to maintain its shape. Mine was twisted and hogged when I got it so I propped and supported to get the shape back. I had to epoxy mine to hold it all together. When I put it right side up, I had cured the hogging but most of the twist just pinged back into place.
The biggest worry would be the rolling over , you don't want all the weight on the gunnel. Either get lots of friends round or fix a framework to take the load

 

[debenriver]

Basically as oldbloke says.

And it really comes down to the condition of the fastenings - both to the frames and the plank land fastenings. If the boat still leaked after applying epoxy to the outside, this does suggest the the fastenings may need hardening up – not a difficult job if they are copper nails with roves. And certainly easier done while she is the right way up.

In any case, fit two or three stretchers across the boat at gunwhale level with chocks inside and outside the gunwhales to hold the hull firmly to shape. And turn her over with sufficient help, preferabley on an old mattress or similar cushioning. Or if you have the facility you can parbuckle the hull over in mid air so no weight is taken on the gunwhale.

Upside down, set the hull up on a series of blocks under gunwhale so she remains level and the hull is not distorted.

But as I've said before, if the fastenings are getting a bit loose you need to attend to that before doing anything. Provided the fastenings are good, a clinker hull should take up in a week or so and not leak thereafter – though the topsides may leak a bit if she is submersed a bit deeper than usual (say wil lots of passengers).

Cheers -- George