Med Sun on Carvel Boat

[Guest]

We have a traditional carvel built motor yacht built in 1957 with Mahogany topsides. We are considering taking the boat through the French Canals to the Med, but are obviously worried about the boat opening up with the heat. Does anyone have a good idea on how we can help keep the hull/decks from opening up. We have been told that putting some sort of shroud around would help.. Is there anyone out there with any useful tips?

 

[Castletine]

It depends on how the topsides are 'fixed'.

Molly has been down to the Med and back a number of times and has been moored near Barcelona for 6 months and now in the Chablis region on the French canals for a year.

The heat has split her canvas decking which I am sure would not have happened had the decks been kept 'moist' with a hosepipe. That said, her hull timbers are as solid as the day she was launched and her mahogony transom and doghouse look as good as new.

If you want to talk to an expert, call Simon Evans at Evans Marine in France on 3 33 86 65 34 66. He is a woodern boat nut and in my experience, what he doesn't know isn't worth knowing.

Good Luck

Jonathan

 

[Mirelle]

Glossy white paint

is the starting point; absolutely not any other colour. Paint over varnished rails and covering boards and you will save yourself a lot of trouble....

 

[ccscott49]

old carpet on the decks, kept wet will save the decks and also allow water to run down the side of the boat, its the only way I've found, I'm the same construction only teak, it works for me, in the med and portugal, you have to keep the boat wet, you can use sea water of course with an occasiional good soaking of fresh.