Keeping dry in a Clinker

[AlistairM]

Hi one and all

I have a 12ft clinker built dinghy that for various reasons needs to be stored ashore. I am wondering if there is a way to somehow "seal" the seams so my feet stop getting wet. I have visions of grandeur which invlove camping on board which genrally requires a dry floor.

Does the panel know of any reasonable way to do this (I am thinking that there isnt one that wont expand and split the planks!!) or shall I prehaps revert to the dark side and consider a plastic bath toy type boat?

Suggestions welcome as always.

Thanks

 

[Romeo]

To stop your feet getting wet, use wellies. To sleep dry use a board laid accross the top of the thwarts.

 

[miket]

McNulty

Alistair
I have an 18 ft McNulty open clinker motor launch that is stored at home during the winter and on a bankside mooring from May to September.
Although she never gets water over the floorboards when 1st launched, she does take a few hours to close up and I do have the luxury of a bilge pump on float switch just in case.
Whether it makes any difference I know not, but during her 6 months ashore I;
1. Leave troughs full of water inside and under the cover to try and maintain a damp environment. I suspect most UK winters are sufficiently damp without this!!
2. Periodically, spray the hose over the outside of the hull. Maybe monthly.
Neither of these may be especially effective but it makes me feel better!

 

[AlistairM]

I keep it in the brecon beacons national park which on the one hand is very picturesque and lovely, but on the other hand ensures every passing cloud gets punctured and deposits its rain at regular intervals.

I have thought about keeping water on board but was concerned about rot setting in, I reckon its probably kept naturally damp most of the time.

Thanks for the comments so far anyway.

 

[cliffordpope]

What about sprinkling salt in the bottom? It attracts water, and salt water is a preservative.

 

[Romeo]

Looking at the type of boat, from the photos in your earlier post, I don't think you will ever have a dry enough "floor" to sleep on. Even if she was made of plastic, the lack of floorboards and shallow, flattish bottom makes me doubt that you will be able to keep your sleeping bag dry at night. The best place to look for solutions to that problem is probably the Dinghy Cruising Association. Whatever you do , don't give her up for some piece of plastic. Loving your boat is an essential part of boat ownership.

Whatever you do, do not leave fresh water lying in her for any length of time.

 

[Niander]

What you need for a wooden boat is lots of ventilation inside her or she will rot!
varnish or paint the outside of the hull to keep out the water

 

[drawkins]

Hi one and all

I have a 12ft clinker built dinghy that for various reasons needs to be stored ashore. I am wondering if there is a way to somehow "seal" the seams so my feet stop getting wet. I have visions of grandeur which invlove camping on board which genrally requires a dry floor.

Does the panel know of any reasonable way to do this (I am thinking that there isnt one that wont expand and split the planks!!) or shall I prehaps revert to the dark side and consider a plastic bath toy type boat?

Suggestions welcome as always.

Thanks

I have had a 12ft McNulty Longstone for 20 years.The boat is always kept in a shed.at least in the winterSome years I would not have had time to sail and the boat stayed in the shed.
After a day the boat never leaks ,I toyed with the idea of replacing the fixed boards with removable wash boards but never did.any residual water is easily removed with a sponge
the bigger problem for your camping would be rain coming in before getting the boom cover u-p.
I suggest you either put in a ground sheet,an inflateable lilo or military style waterproof sleeping bag and then.....

GO FOR IT

 

[Lakesailor]

My 13ft clinker dinghy dried out during our hot early summer and the Windermere Barbie proved an ingushing experience. I think about a bathfull of water in less than an hour.
A month later I went for a sail and only took on about a couple of gallons in an afternoon sail.
A dip in the water now and then seems to be answer. The drying out happened during a non-sailing period of hot weather.