to re-nail or to screw

[precilla]

I have just bought a 28ft sailing boat, wooden planked with caulking inbetween..
She was previously worked on by guy before i bought her and he has put bronze screws for fixing the planks to ribs,im pretty sure she was nailed before...
Is the screwed fixings okay to leave in or would it be better to replace with nails as the nails will move with the boat rather than dethreading the screws when moving???
all info greatly appreciated as just want to crack on with starting this project cheers ears..

 

[Niander]

Bronze screws are ok.

 

[ccscott49]

What type of nails?
I reckon brionze screws would be good.

 

[precilla]

thanks they are definatly bronze so no worries , time to get cracking with the hull looking forward to this project

 

[precilla]

think they were clout nails, not hundred sure that they are bronze will check..

 

[Niander]

these nails are usually copper

 

[KenMcCulloch]

You are right about the relative merits of properly nailed (rivetted) construction vis-a-vis using screws. If the hull works very much the screws will eventually loosen whereas nails and roves will hold it together much more effectively for much longer. As Niander says the nails are normally copper for long life. There are different techniques for nailing, the most common uses roves on the inside which are conical washers driven down the nail on the inside. Most of the protruding nail is then cut off and the end peened over the rove to form a very secure rivet. There are lots of threads about this kind of stuff on this forum if you search for them.

I live near Leith and can confirm that there's no-one building wooden yachts commercially near here nor for the past fifty years or so to my knowledge.

 

[EASLOOP]

I'm with Ken. I used nails and roves - that way you get the entire frame held and not just the bit that the screw was screwed into. Only place I used s/bronze screws was where I could not get at the inboard end of the plank or frame. I remade many fastening when recauling my sloop.
Good luck

 

[absit_omen]

Me too.

However, before I became 'edjukatedd' in this sort of thing I would have thought screws more secure than nails so I can understand the previous owner doing it with the best of intentions. Also, bronze screws cost a lot more then copper roved nails so it looks like he was serious about it.

I don't think you need worry - just get on with the joys of painting and varnishing.

 

[LittleShip]

My old boat is screwed using S/Bronze no movement experienced anywhere on her and she is now 38 years old. Each screw has been recessed and a dowel fitted over it.

Leave the screws in if they were fastened correctly they wont move.

Tom

 

[Niander]

wheres the best place to get the nails n roves?

 

[KenMcCulloch]

[ QUOTE ]
wheres the best place to get the nails n roves?

[/ QUOTE ] I find Anglia Stainless very helpful for all my modest bronze and copper fastening needs.

 

[absit_omen]

.......... and carriage shouldn't be a problem.

 

[cliffordpope]

There is an old saying:
"Nail when you can, screw if you must, bolt when you have to".

 

[precilla]

thanks guys i will just get on with the caulking and painting will use the nails in future.. wicked help peeps