Old wooden boats.

[sighmoon]

I'm happy with my current boat; she sails very well, has almost enough space below, and being fibreglasss, suits my minimal maintenance availability.

But every now and then, my eye roves, and I wonder, what in an ideal world, I'd trade up to. Perhaps something with an extra cabin or two to, so we can bring some friends along? A low maintenace, inconspicuous, motor sailer? Perhaps something with bilge keels that can take the ground?

No.

Flicking through the back of YM, it's always the sleek old wooden boats, with long overhangs that catch my eye. They don't tick any of the practical boxes, but somehow, they're more appealing. I've never seen a fibreglass boat as elegant above decks, or as cosy below.

Something like this

Would that be totally insane? Would it be like painting the Forth bridge? Would I ever get to go sailing, or would I always be varnishing, caulking, and wood working? If I couldn't get to her over the winter months, would I own a spongy pile of firewood instead of a boat? If I paid someone to do the maintenance, how much would I be spending?

This is all hyperthetical for now, but one day...

 

[jamesjermain]

If you buy a boat like that for that sort of money I suggest you will spend no time doing the varnishing caulking and wood working - but you will need to get on well with your professional crew.

 

[jezjez]

I suggest you re-send this post on the classic boat forum - you'll get lots of opinions but remember they all love wooden boats.
I just bought a wooden boat myself 2 weeks ago - suddenly I am thinking about all sorts of things which were outside my boating life. I have a little black book with lists in it that if I lost would bring back the ulcer I got the day I bought the boat.
Since buying her I have been either chuffed or terrified. On one occasion I stared at the planking expecting it to any moment start to rot away in front of my eyes and start leaking there and then.
My GRP boat I had for 3 yrs took me sailing whenever it wasn't laid up for winter. 2 days work and then back to sailing it.
Manitenance fees are much higher with a wooden boat and time could be more like 2 weeks work each season. You might not be able to do it yourself in some aspects so the boatyard might have to help.
On the plus side you and everyone else will admire your lovely boat.
There is a fever around March/April when we all go crazy to get back on the water. You may be experiencing this.
If you really want a wooden boat be prepared to be much more worried, much more out of pocket, and much more involved. However, you will learn lots more, have a boat that feels like a living entity, you will never suffer osmosis, and if you love it you will really love it.
That jumble of words sums up my pleasure/pain of the last 2 weeks.
Scraping off varnish took an age on the forehatch alone - about 2 hours work ad we started to really worry. Putting on fresh varnish bizarrely made it all seem worthwhile! It looked so lovely when we finished.
I really feelas if I will kow ever part of this ship because I'll literally have to get to know it!
Good luck.
P.S. make sure to sell your current boat first, otherwise it is just further expense and stress.

 

[jezjez]

The best advice I was given, I think, was whatever boat you buy, buy the one in the best condition so you don't have lots to do to "bring her back" to good, what looks like minor repairs/ TLC is suddenly a lot of work when you actually get your scraper out of your pocket.
I found it hard to understand when people whistled through their teeth and said "it's a lot of work" - just imagine single-handedly taking off the varnish and paint from every part of the boat and then re-varnishing / painting every single area and then decide if you'd rather be in the Swan & About drinking a pint of a winter's day.
I found it is surprisingly pleasurable on my first attempt but I've only just started.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Not crazy at all, but you'd need large and deep pockets for that one, as well as an excess of enthusiasm.

Now, this for example , would be a much more sensible place to start.

 

[Poignard]

What about a compromise? A 28' composite built Twister. GRP hull and deck with wooden coachroof and cockpit. Enough wood to look good but not enough to break your heart [and your bank balance].

See www.twister.org.uk

 

[bedouin]

I think in order to own that sort of boat you either need to have a lot of time on your hands, or be very rich, or preferably both.

She's a beautiful boat and I am glad there are people out there who are dedicated enough to keep boats like that in good condition so that I can enjoy looking at them

 

[Aja]

Dione was kept as a private yacht on the Clyde for a long time. As far as I remember she was maintained by the owners with help from contractors at Largs Marina.

As an aside, my parents have owned Lassiette, a Robert Clark 32' since 1972. Admittedly a lot of work has gone into her over the years - new deck - new engines (two) but its a fair bet he spends less time on her fitting out this year than I do on my Moody.

Donald

 

[silver-fox]

Don't do it unless you are a masochist without family, friends or hobbies.

I had a 28 foot wooden boat for a number of years and loved it......but I would never have another.

Yes its great getting the old Skarston scraper out, followed by the varnish, and the paint, and then sitting back to admire your handiwork.

What is disheartening is the speed with which all this work deteriorates and needs redoing, thats what gets to you in the end! It is never ending!!

Oh and keeping them dry inside can be a an exhausting game too.

Whilst you are busy rubbing down the hull for the fourth time, covering up the gouges made by the water taxi etc and trying to decide if this will be the last coat- all the fibreglass boats have been in the water a month!

Enjoy wood from a distance - if that doesn't do it for you introduce some more wood on your plastic boat it won't take much to keep you busy.

I wouldn't even have teak decks on a plastic boat - look classy I agree but boy does it cost you in the end.

Well you did ask! The choice is yours sailing or carpentry!

 

[DRANNIE]

I suspect if you have to ask the question you shouldn't buy one. I liked the look of this one: http://www.boatshed.com/herreschoff_islander_22-boat-14437.html but quickly realised a 22ft plastic boat was more of a realistic ambition. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Sans Bateau]

I have to say that I am most grateful to the people who either spend the time or money to restore/maintain and varnish traditional wooden boats. There is nothing more satisfying than the sight of a traditional gaff rigged boat with full sail making to windward, beautiful.

However, like a lot of people I live a busy life, earning the money to sail and fulfilling other family commitments. As a result I own a boat with as little wood as possible. I kept my first boat in Tim Gillmores yard in Emsworth, I watched David Still rebuild 'Grace' there, so I know the level of work some wooden boats demand.

Please people, keep on buying and looking after your wooden boats, I want something nice to look at on the water whilst sailing, cos you wont catch me owning one!

 

[ADLS]

The secret of owning a wooden boat is to keep on top of the jobs by doing a little often. You don't have to rub down and varnish/paint the whole boat, just do a part at a time and then get out and do some sailing. Don't let it become a chore. Get others involved, if they enjoy sailing aboard get them varnishing to, arrange a fit out week end.
I got my daughter to splice ropes on the fenders, wash the seat covers. Son in law varnished the mast, I fitted a pair of engines, a friend wired em in. Others stocked up the galley and bar, to own a boat and go sailing you just have to get organised.

But it can still all go wrong!!!!!!!

 

[Duffer]

I know what you mean. Perhaps wood/epoxy construction would be a good compromise?