there are some very tiny gaps between some of the planks?

[Niander]

I have a carvel wood hull
there are some very tiny gaps between some of the planks...talking 1 or 2 mill

above the water line....wondering what to fill them with?
not painted btw.

 

[Sixpence]

Is she in the water or dry ?

 

[Niander]

Shes in the water [drys out actually]...but its above the water line anyways.
when i say planks id guess they are about 1" by 2" strips for the hull
btw how are these sealed when first made...just an excellent fit?

 

[Sixpence]

You might find This link helpful , there's a few others but it explains the basics of hull structures

 

[Peterduck]

When you say they are 1" x 2" strips, that sounds like strip- planked construction to me. In this method, the strips are glued together to form a solid hull skin. Framing is either minimal or absent. If this is the case, the you have serious case of delamination, where the glue had failed. You may need the assistance of a professional surveyor like John Lilley to determine if this is the case, or if you have carvel construction which just needs the caulking re-doing. 1 or 2 mm is not tiny; it will admit a frightening amount of water, which can turn your boat into a submarine in very short order.
Peter.

 

[Niander]

Now I'm scared!.....submarine indeed!
I did say above the water line she doesn't leak what so ever below
it is strip plank construction[folkboat]
plenty of framing[ribs] inside
SO when she was built the strips are all glued next to each other are they?
there isnt a gap between them except the ones i mentioned....
Ill take some pics..

 

[ValleyForge]

Vaguely recall the hull planks were glued together, over a mould, then ribbed & framed afterwards. 60's eastern european (if yours is one of those) glue not renowned for being brilliant. Or lasting.
Basically built like lightweight racing keelboats, not heavy frame & plank stuff, with caulking etc.

PS - just remembered - to check this look inside the hull say high in the bows or stern area - there will be glue runs & blobs where the builders wont have cleaned up.

No doubt lots of expensive WEST stuff will help, or a glass overcoat. Personally I'd just slop lots of varnish on & see how it goes in action. These things are always pretty wet boats anyway.

 

[Niander]

Vaguely recall the hull planks were glued together, over a mould, then ribbed & framed afterwards. 60's eastern european (if yours is one of those)

Flipin ech i think it is one o them!

I think your right about lots of varnish!
the sails are actualy 1966!...lol...o yes could do with some new ones!