Larch

[glynsue]

Larch for the deck?
I am thinking of using Larch on the deck of My Buchanan 24 as this was the original spec
what sort of fixings and what finish is achievable and what are the pitfalls

 

[Wansworth]

Larch for the deck?
I am thinking of using Larch on the deck of My Buchanan 24 as this was the original spec
what sort of fixings and what finish is achievable and what are the pitfalls

Larch is a recognized wood for planking and decking ,but on a 24 footer I would be inclined to use marine ply in largest panels as possible and maybe using two layers instead of one and staggering the joints …glued with epoxy and covering well the exposed edges.A traditional finish could be canvas soaked in paint laid over the ply

 

[MisterBaxter]

Larch is good stuff, very hard, tough and rot-resistant, but you'd need to shop around very carefully for the right stock - you'd want slow-grown wood, as clear as possible, absolutely no sapwood as it is quite different in texture and tends to split off the heartwood once dried. And it does shrink and move a bit so you'd want quarter sawn.
You used to be able to buy 'boatskin' larch from some suppliers, which I think was just graded as suitable for planking, which would be a good place to start.
I would guess you'd need to use bronze screws, counter-bored and plugged.
I personally suspect that such a deck would drip forevermore and need ongoing attention, but possibly it can be done well.

 

[glynsue]

Larch is good stuff, very hard, tough and rot-resistant, but you'd need to shop around very carefully for the right stock - you'd want slow-grown wood, as clear as possible, absolutely no sapwood as it is quite different in texture and tends to split off the heartwood once dried. And it does shrink and move a bit so you'd want quarter sawn.
You used to be able to buy 'boatskin' larch from some suppliers, which I think was just graded as suitable for planking, which would be a good place to start.
I would guess you'd need to use bronze screws, counter-bored and plugged.
I personally suspect that such a deck would drip forevermore and need ongoing attention, but possibly it can be done well.

Hello, thanks for the cautionary info. I will now investigate Marine Grade ply and propose using factory floor type varnish, for grip, and see what the resident shipwright thinks of my latest idea. I cant print what he sometimes thinks of my thoughts but with the hull and the foredeck done and looking good its time to move on to the cockpit.
Thanks to Tom at Tollesbury Marina my Buchanan 24 starts to look good

 

[Wansworth]

Is that a Buchanan 24¿

 

[glynsue]

Yes it is a Buchanan 24, I have the original order, correspondence, drawings
and specifications.
Isabel and I enjoy the pleasure of owning and sailing this beautiful craft

 

[Wansworth]

Yes it is a Buchanan 24, I have the original order, correspondence, drawings
and specifications.
Isabel and I enjoy the pleasure of owning and sailing this beautiful craft

No Ithoughtthe 24 was a pure sailing boat……but it was LWL….

 

[Wansworth]

Google Search

 

[glynsue]

The papers I have indicate there were 4 of these made, Skye was a work boat for
an environment agency in South Wales originally.
The specs make provision for a Mast , great and stable under sale,
stately is another word for her

 

[Wansworth]

Google Search

The papers I have indicate there were 4 of these made, Skye was a work boat for
an environment agency in South Wales originally.
The specs make provision for a Mast , great and stable under sale,
stately is another word for her

Whatmorean you ask

 

[Supertramp]

There is an argument for keeping something that nice original. What would the effect inside the cabin be? Ply is a poor substitute for internal planking. Coating with canvas would be in keeping but will probably leak. A deck cover might be a wise investment.

Beautiful boat.

 

[glynsue]

There is an argument for keeping something that nice original. What would the effect inside the cabin be? Ply is a poor substitute for internal planking. Coating with canvas would be in keeping but will probably leak. A deck cover might be a wise investment.

Beautiful boat.

Hello,
sadly one of the real constraints is the budget., the other is
I don't have the skills to lay a plank floor and with sciatica and
old age ( nearer 80 than 70) it is a daunting task for me.
Whatever we do can be reversed, so in the future another proud owner
can look at the original papers and decide to restore Skye.
We are just the custodians for a relatively brief time, but we are going to have fun

Glyn and Isabel
Skye

 

[Supertramp]

Hello,
sadly one of the real constraints is the budget., the other is
I don't have the skills to lay a plank floor and with sciatica and
old age ( nearer 80 than 70) it is a daunting task for me.
Whatever we do can be reversed, so in the future another proud owner
can look at the original papers and decide to restore Skye.
We are just the custodians for a relatively brief time, but we are going to have fun

Glyn and Isabel
Skye

Understood and that makes sense. Though sometimes proper wood is easier to shape and work than ply. I remember boats like that from my sailing childhood in the 60s. They always looked so much more comfortable than a tiny yacht.

 

[Wansworth]

If you go with the plywood before fixing down draw round where the beams are and paint the plywood ,saves painting overhead and tapping up the beams.

 

[glynsue]

good point, I will ensure that the supports are marked the
the faces of the ply that are not visible will be painted
with bilge/locker paint and all edges will be similarly sealed.