Where to Start

[Guest]

I have just obtained a 34' Ketch pine on Oak bulilt in Leif. She was in perfect condition when she was lifted out unfortunatly this was 10 years ago and she has been in the yard ever since whe is very sound (no rot) apart from the expected shrinkage of the timbers. I need to move her to another yard aprox 1 mile along the coast to start work on her. What's the best option float here round round with the assistance of pumps etc and put here on a mud berth for acouple of months and then lift her out and evalate the restoration required or take on a lory and start the restoration before she has been back in the water.

I am tempted to take the first option but want some advice I have taken on other project but none so dry as this (1 season out only).

 

[Castletine]

I'd seriously look at transporting her by lorry as her open seams will flood her quickly. You'll be able to stem the flood with high powered pumps, but she will remain sluggish and you just don't know how she'll respond or what the strength and integrity of the fittings are. Perhaps you could float her at the current yard and move her after a couple of months?. Personally I wouldn't risk the boat

 

[Peterduck]

You would be amazed at how much water can enter through a hairline crack in a dried out seam after just a few weeks out of the water. You would not be able to get enough fire-hose pumps on board the boat to keep it afloat! There is no question that by road is the only option for you to take. When you do come to re-caulk the seams it will have to be done in progressive stages, beginning with a very soft compound which will be exuded as the planks gradually expand. When expansion is completed, probably after a year's immersion, a final thorough caulk will finish the job.