Wood?????????

[Colvic Watson]

Be honest - should I touch wood? We've been looking at classic Motor Sailers and a really nice 34 footer has come up but she is carvel and I haven't had a wooden boat since my GP14 days. How do you reduce or eliminate the chances of rot? Is an hour from the boatyard too far? How much time should I allocate for winter maintenance? Would you touch wood now that you know what it's like!

 

[LittleShip]

Would you touch wood now that you know what it's like

Short answer Yes

Having said that.........

You either like the maintenance or you don’t. I personally take as much enjoyment out of working (Paint Varnish ect) on my boat as I do out of using her.

Many people don’t consider the time one will spend keeping a good looking wood boat in top notch condition, if you want to turn up and just go out sailing buy GRP. A GRP boat however will take lots of time to keep in good condition but if you slack on the maintenance the consequences aren’t as dire.

Many on here will be bias towards their wood boats but you will find many who dont understand what a good wood vessel actually is. There is a pride in looking after wood which some cant and dont want to understand

In short, if you are fit and have the time wood is great, time is the key factor

Tom

 

[oldfrank]

My 35 foot boat takes on average, two full weekends to paint the outside of the hull. That of course doesn't include varnishing topsides, spars and any other required work. Don't think you can paint properly outside! A two hour round trip is a lot if you just want to pick up something over the winter to take home and varnish.

 

[silverdawn]

wood????

Hi,all, 5 years ago I went looking for my third grp boat whilst looking at a westerly centaur my eyes where diverted to the clinker boat in the next berth what a beauty! needless to say I was smitten and a deal was done my first wooden boat! when the buzz of buying it subsided I thought had I done the wise thing, I had comments such as you must be mad all that work no time for sailing. Iam retired and live 35mins away from the berth so distance or time wasnt an issue, the boat was in very good condition and I kept it that way, many people commented how striking the boat was but also said they wouldnt like the upkeep.

However I enjoyed and kept the boat for 4 years but was as pleased to sell it as I was to
buy it, I now have a bigger GRP boat and on reflection buying a wooden boat was for me a mistake you have to keep on top of the upkeep, also insurance is more expensive, but they do look good and the workmanship in building them is a dying skill ,I brought it with my heart and not my head i was seduced by the varnish and brass, so think with your head! if you have plenty of time and love DIY varnish and brass go for it

 

[tonijon]

As the other guys have already said wood requires more maintenance (and it helps alot if you enjoy it)than grp however if you do little and often it really isnt an issue but when she has been neglected she will require significant amounts of time and effort something that is now dawning HWMBO (I used to work as a boat nipper in a yard specialising in classics and Tonijon will be my third restoration although my first not working under an experienced shipwright!). One of the things to avoid is a boat built of african mahogany as it has a nasty habit of reacting with the fastenings and rotting.
Also get a surveyor who is preferably a shipwright who specilises in wood, we struck lucky with ours who did his apprenticeship at McGruers the same yard which Tonijon was built.
As regards to rot cuprine oil five star is the stuff paint it liberally onto bear wood. Its not cheap but cheaper than replacing rotten timbers.

 

[oldfrank]

Personally, I also enjoy the upkeep as much as sailing the boat and I don't have an excuse for that - beyond acquiring the necessary skills - often the hard way.

 

[Colvic Watson]

Thank s for the replies. I think I half expected gung ho replies but I think you've said 'go for it if you enjoy the process of maintenance and improvement, steer clear if that doesn't appeal'. Further examination shows that she is cascover sheathed which I know can be an absolute nightmare but can it be good?

 

[Tranona]

If properly done and not damaged it is excellent. My boat was originally sheathed in 1963 and a significant area repaired following a grounding around 1970. I have just stripped it back to repaint and the sheathing is completely sound. The only problem is that the original was coated in a special paint which is no longer available and impossible to remove. The new bit was not and the weave of the nylon cloth shows. On the advice of Wessex Resins and International I have rolled on epoxy to the areas where the weave shows and then an epoxy primer. It is currently in undercoat waiting a decision on how to level the hollows (and more pleasant weather) before a Toplac top coat.

Where I have done small repairs (such as on the stem) I have used epoxy and glass cloth which bonds in well.

So, if the sheathing is in good condition, chances are the wood underneath is sound. However check very carefully around the edges in the transition from sheathing to wood. Mine is under a rubbing strake so no problem, but if it is at deck edge level, water can get behind it.

A sheathed hull substantially reduces maintenance - Toplac lasts at least 5 years between coats so you (only!) have to worry about above decks. Then if you take the plunge, strip off all the old varnish and recoat with Novatech/Top you can reduce it even further and enjoy more sailing.

 

[KINGFISHER 8]

I've got a cascover sheathed Peter Duck motor sailer, built 1968 and as good as the day she was launched ... well the hull anyway! (and for sale!)

 

[stuhaynes]

Bought our first (and only, so far ) wooden boat 10 years ago and moved aboard, been on her ever since. We love her! Would only sell if the right deal and condition came up on a (wooden) 40 footer.
There's a lot to enjoy in fixing wooden boats, particularly older ones. Ours is 60 this year. Good luck!

 

[Bobobolinsky]

Rainwater kills wooden boats, not seawater. It's keeping the freshwater out of the boat that is the key. I used to scrub decks with seawater, rather than a hose. Fix deck and coach house leaks quickly.

 

[oldharry]

I agree entirely with the general view here: if you enjoy the work, then nothing beats a wooden boat. If not, forget it.

I have owned several wooden boats, and they were never ready at the beginning of the season, because I was too busy (for which, read: preferred to stay indoors on cold winter days!).

Now I have a GRP 'low maintenance' boat. At least thats the idea. Funny thing is she too is never ready at the beginning of the season....

Or am I just a lazy old git?