Leaking Clinker Boats

[Frithcot]

What is a quick fix for a leaky clinker built boat (larch on oak)? Unfortunately I can't keep her permanently on the water so drying out is a problem but I suspect its not the only cause. One leak is above the water line and is only a problem when heeled over.

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[rich]

Keep it WET!!!!

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[Peterduck]

Clinker boats are meant to be kept in the water all the time. I've seen a wooden hull dry out so much you could poke a wooden pencil through the gaps and waggle it about! The same boat was sunk in a lake for a few weeks and floated just fine once the planks had swollen up again. If you must store it ashore, turn the boat upside down and try melting some beeswax into the plank lands at the spot where you think it is leaking. If the planks swell, the beeswax will give, whereas synthetic resins will not.
Peter.

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[Romeo]

Could the leak be a dodgy fastening rather than the wood drifting apart? Worth a check. When she is out of the water keep her under a well ventilated cover and away from the sun if possible. The more you sail her the tighter she will get.

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[Casey]

I read your post after returning from launching my clinker built boat! From this forum I have learnt that the initial take up time for the seams is three to four hours - a fact borne out with experience. I have also found that sometimes there is a weep which will not take up and the postition of that has to be noted for inspection next time she comes out of the water. I have found that if all loose paint is cleared from the offending seam and a proper paint system used then the seam takes up well.

This time after launching I left my boat alongside a convenient jetty to dry out over two consecutive tides and have found that she has taken up very well. This year I want to keep her in the water for most of the year and only slip her for a quick scrape and paint sometime next April or so.

As has already been said KEEP HER WET!!!!

One other small thing - Have a good automatic bilge pump!

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