mahogany boats and freshwater

[max1mori2]

Help Please! We hope to buy a boat soon, a Purbrook Heron planked in mahogany. We will need to keep her in freshwater for most of the winter, and would like the forums views regarding the effects of freshwater on mahogany hulls, and what can be done to keep her sound.

 

[Guest]

Tekay?.........she should be alright if she is sound to begin with, and you can keep the rainwater out of her innerds, but salt water is kinder to Mahogony, can't you keep her on the hard for the winter?

 

[ianc1200]

Agreed, if the hull is in good condition, well painted etc, the problems are more likely to be from rainwater. Some put salt in their bilges, or gylcol.

IanC

 

[Guest]

Ian is right, a good sprinkling of rock salt in her bilges will certainly help, as will dealling with anything suspect before you wrap her up for the winter, cos ya can bet ya last penny......(ah! you already did didn't ya, bought a wooden boat)........that whatever you leave, will have grown in the time you aint looking.

Generally speaking, mahogony below the waterline has a good survival rate, it's the bits above the waterline that are susceptible to the dreaded rot.

 

[Seanick]

The adage goes something like..

'Wooden boats rot from the deck down, unless they are used in freshwater, where they just rot everywhere'

You will shorten its life for sure.....how about a fibreglass boat instead.... /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[Coomkeen]

As a fellow Purbrook Heron owner, welcome to the clan.

Unfortunartely I can only agree with what's already been said.
Mine shows no sign whatever of deterioration below the waterline, but the deck/top plank junction is a bit dodgy near the chainplates, where the rainwater runs off, and the rubbing strake is being replaced this winter.
That is oak, but it's going .... yes you've guessed it... near the chain plates.

So fresh water is not friendly.

I'm guessing here, but will you keep her up a river in the winter, and move her to a 'sea' mooring in the summer?

All the best,
Ron

 

[oldfrank]

Try borates rather than salt. OF

 

[max1mori2]

Hi, Many thanks for all replies and advice, after 40 years away from the water, we have decided to buy our first sailing boat!!! The Purbrook Heron seems to meet our needs, and we do hope she will be forgiving!!! Before committing to survey, a "friend who knows" will give her a look over. She has been well cared for, and we would hope to keep her the same, well, we have all the time but our pockets are none too deep.!!!
In reply to Smiffy, no its not the "Teekay".
Many thanks to you all.

Peter and Anne

 

[max1mori2]

Hi Ron, yes we hope to keep her on the canal for winter and out in the estuary for the Summer.
What made you choose a "Heron". Can you tell us more re her sailing qualities. Also how do I email you from the forum, since there will be many questions to ask you.

Peter and Anne

 

[Coomkeen]

Hi Peter and Anne,

Well... I actually thought I was looking for a Folkboat or something similar, but when the brokerage chap in a yard said, over a lunchtime cup of tea, "You must come and look at this boat", and we pulled the covers off, well I just knew it was 'the right one'.

There's a PM (Private Message) system on most forums, so I'll see if I can find it and 'PM' you.

All the best,
Ron

 

[ccscott49]

wood will rot in fresh or salt water, just the amount of either, thats the problem, under water in fresh, no rot, underwater in salt no rot, too wet you see, for the spores to survive, damp wood in salt or fresh will rot, simple as that.