Hull Drying out

[1937rogerdon]

The restoration of Eleanor of Poole my 60 year old Vertue is progressing well.However, in the work shop she is drying out, I heard that a way of keeping the hull from fully drying out was to surround the boat with boxes filled with wet sawdust, which would keep the atmosphere damp.
Any other suggestions,as with the hopefully warm summer approaching I do not wish her to dry out any more.

 

[Sniper]

Damp cloths in the bilges are another way forward. However, if she's not exposed to direct sunlight and the workshop can be kept reasonably cool she may not suffer too badly.

 

[Peterduck]

This is one of the few good uses for worn carpet; Laid against the ribs and kept wet/damp. Get them as high up the side as you can, but you only need to go as high as the waterline.
Peter.

 

[Seanick]

Agree with the above, would add:
Keep the bilge full of water, seawater if poss, with carpet dipped in and rising up the planking.
Keep hatches closed to reduce through-draft
rig white tarps to shade from the sun
Get the work done asap
Accept you will have a lot of shrinkage, but just re-stop the seams with soft putty, paint over and launch. No need to disturb the caulking.

Finally, consider a 'rolling restoration', ie do chunks each winter to avoid drying out, and enjoy a little more sailing!

 

[pyrojames]

I had a lot of problems during the summer of 2006 (yes picked the best summer for years to be in the shed). I put a kilo of salt and about 2 feet of water in the bilge, and then used the bilge pump to hose the water aruond inside on the hot days. It seemed to work, she took up in under a week after 18 months out.