Treating an old clinker built rowing boat

[MASH]

I've got an old 12' traditional rowing boat that badly needs some kind of surface protection. The varnish wore off decades ago and it had been creosoted and cuprinolled since. The wood is sound if a bit brittle. The practicalities of sanding such a boat (particularly inside) make paint or varnish a non option, so what is left? Would a couple of coats of linseed oil do the trick? The boat lives in fresh water for 6 mths of the year, and on stocks on the bank the other 6.

 

[ccscott49]

I soaked into my mast a lot and I mean a LOT of decks olye No1, seemed to do the trick.
You should be able to get some paint or other to stick to the inside, pressure wash it first (CAREFULLY) and then a couple of coats of sealing primer. Paint should take then. Outside, do the same and see what it looks like, a red bum, white waterline and blue hull would look great, grey bilge paint on the interior would be fine. See if you can save the seats and varnish those.
I like clinker boats, proper I think!

 

[Poignard]

There is a recipe in "Clinker Boatbuilding" by John Leather for a linseed oil based treatment.

2 parts paraffin : 1 part linseed oil. Brushed on liberally.

You might find this book very useful. It just so happens I have a copy for disposal!

 

[MASH]

I'm a bit reluctant to use paint as there are (naturally) gaps between the planks as she is dry, and if - when - paint gets into these she won't be able to take up properly. Is this a valid concern, or is blocking the cracks with paint a good thing?

 

[Poignard]

Personally, I'd take the view that her builder knew what he was doing and if he didn't put paint there then I wouldn't.

 

[Peterduck]

In my experience, linseed oil will turn the wood black after a while. I concur with using the Deks Olje No. 1. You must brush it on until the wood refuses to accept any more. Then brush on 2 or 3 coats of Deks Olje No. 2. This a quite thick liquid, unlike the No, 1, and it will give the protection from the weather that you need. The two products are a team, each one doing a different job, with neither being sufficient on its own. With the sealing of the plank lands, the whole reasoning behind clinker construction is based on an assumption of continuous immersion of the boat, so that moisture levels are kept constant. However, allowing it to dry out over winter is probably preferable to keeping it moist and having the moisture freezing inside the timber.
Peter.

 

[pyrojames]

I used Deks 1 on the inside of my restored clinker dinghy and it sucked up a _lot_, 3 litres or so in total. Very good result though.