Folkboat caulking

[woolleyhatter]

Guys
In a bit of a quandrie here!. Just bought a FB thats not (apparently) been in the water-EVER! (not sure i believe it), but the prob is, as she's carvel planked i'm anticipating caulking/re-sealing her. But if indeed she has never been in water, is it better if i get her in to take up as much as poss?. My train of thought is that if i do this i can do most of the interior with her "swelled" up, then at least everything is correct to her dimensions and fits, or should i fit the interior/bulkheads etc (basically everything) with her in a completely dried out state?. If i'm correct that will squeeze everything out of shape when she goes back in!!.
Furthermore as a result of not being in water, should i use Sikaflex??, any ideas?

 

[Peterduck]

Finish your fit-out on dry land; it is so much easier, believe me! When you are ready to launch her, caulk her with caulking cotton, but only lightly. I cannot stress too strongly that this is one occasion when an experienced caulker can make a world of difference, because so much depends on knowing how hard to push the cotton in. Much damage to the plank edges can ensue from caulking too hard. Finish off with linseed oil putty softened with extra linseed oil worked well in. This will squeeze out as the planks take up moisture, and can be attended to during the next winter's haulout. Expect the hull to take up to 3 years or so to stabilise so that seams are no longer visible.
Peter.

 

[KenMcCulloch]

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so much depends on knowing how hard to push the cotton in. Much damage to the plank edges can ensue from caulking too hard.

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Not only that but caulking material swells when wet (that's how it works) as does the planking, and an over caulked seam can cause planks to distoort or even split. Don't whack it in too hard!

 

[Reninportishead]

Hi all, first post here for me. Just finished caulking with cotton and red lead putty - how hard is not too hard when "hardening" the cotton ?

 

[EASLOOP]

I have a 1962 East Anglian Sloop. she is carvel planked being mahogony on oak frames.
She was out of the water for 12 years before I re-caulked her. Used 3 to 6 strands of cotton depending on the size of the gap between the planks. I used white lead and putty above the waterline and red lead and putty below. I caulked using a carpenters mallet and proper caulking irons. I pushed the cotton in loops into the seams then drove it once to back of seam and once to harden. Don't be tempted to hit it again!! My boat is now virtually watertight (just enough water in the bilges to be a real wooden boat).
I am a rank amateur and after 3 seasons back in the water there are nio leaks of note. If I can do it then ......... you know the rest.
Good luck