Wooden boat repair / maintenance

waynes world

waynes world

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Hi all first off all best for tomorrow night :)


I am going to look into the dreaded wooden boat ownership, yes folk will say i am barmy and i agree :D . I see some cracking wooden boats around, now just thinking mind you, but I wonder about owning one A project will likely be the one sought after. There fore it will need work doing, within reason of my capabilities as a joiner though. I have no worries on doing any work needed and it is a good way to learn more by getting stuck in.

I understand there is a lot of upkeep to them and ways around making life easier and longer lasting like GRP sheathing etc.


Can anybody point me to a good read on repairs to wooden boats and maintenance. Internet would be better than books as my eyes are not much cop for books.

Once again all best and bring on 2017, looking forward to new ventures :)


Wayne and T :)
 
'The Big Book of Wooden Boat Restoration', by Thomas Larsson: ISBN 978-I-62087-051-8.
This book broadly covers pretty much everything that you'll encounter with a traditional wooden boat. I've found it invaluable with my Folkboat.
GRP sheathing; someone will be along shortly to proffer an opinion on sheathing a wooden hull!
There's a great deal of ongoing stuff to do until it's all done, if you see my meaning! However, once it's up to speed, it's a matter of keeping on top of it, by constantly maintaining it, a bit each time you're at the boat, even if it's only a few minutes worth of stopping something deteriorating, as in a stitch in time. It's very rewarding (I find), but you've GOT to emotionally buy into the whole idea of it.
Have you seen the movie 'Genevieve'? There are parallels....! Plus, you're a joiner, so better placed than many, including myself, as you'll know what you're doing and have the tools to do it! Good luck with the year as well.
 
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jamie N said:
'The Big Book of Wooden Boat Restoration', by Thomas Larsson: ISBN 978-I-62087-051-8.
This book broadly covers pretty much everything that you'll encounter with a traditional wooden boat. I've found it invaluable with my Folkboat.
GRP sheathing; someone will be along shortly to proffer an opinion on sheathing a wooden hull!
There's a great deal of ongoing stuff to do until it's all done, if you see my meaning! However, once it's up to speed, it's a matter of keeping on top of it, by constantly maintaining it, a bit each time you're at the boat, even if it's only a few minutes worth of stopping something deteriorating, as in a stitch in time. It's very rewarding (I find), but you've GOT to emotionally buy into the whole idea of it.
Have you seen the movie 'Genevieve'? There are parallels....! Plus, you're a joiner, so better placed than many, including myself, as you'll know what you're doing and have the tools to do it! Good luck with the year as well.
Click to expand...

Thats is a start Jamie thank you. I will have a search for it on the net, but as said i struggle tp read books now. Even with glasses.

I like to faff about with DIY in anyway and keeping something in tip top condition is just a thing I like to do. I have not seen the film `Genevieve` worth a look some time.
I am usually a GRP or Steel boater but Wooden boats have always drawn me towards the beauty of them.

Thanks for the info Jamie;)
 
Wooden boats covers a very broad range of types and types of construction. Therefore there is a wide range of techniques available to repair and maintain them varying from the traditional shipwright skills to be able to replace every individual piece of wood to using modern material such as epoxy as a structural material to either repair existing or bond new material in. Just google wooden boat repairs and you will find masses of material to help you.

Two golden rules, though. First don't buy a project wooden boat. It will eat you out of house and home and probably better as a decaying garden ornament. Second, never sheath a traditionally built boat with GRP.

I am at the "use new materials and techniques" end, but my wooden boat is hard chine plywood sheathed with the proper Cascover sheathing. Built in 1963, owned by me since 1980 and still in sound condition - because it was sound when I bought it and just requires ongoing maintenance.
 
Fwiw my 2p is only buy a boat you can sail from day 1. Sail in the summer, improve in the winter. You get the best of both worlds and the thourght that everything you are doing will improve the sailing experence next season is a real motivation.
 
As others have said, try to find a boat in good nick. I know it is easier to say than to do.

Bone up as much as you can. Hang around skanky old boatyards and talk to skanky old wooden boat owners. When you think you have seen what you like try to get an old wooden boat owner to have a look with you. Forget about surveyors for the moment; you want somebody who can smell rot, not write a report.

You may think your joinery skills will carry you through - they will not. No amount of skill will stop your eyes watering when you come to buy what you may imagine to be simple stock. One teak plank (if you can get it) may set you back three figures.

I am lucky, I have a quality boat built to the highest standards in the world in 1963. As such she has been relatively straightforward to maintain. Remember, wooden boats are very difficult to sell and it is a buyers market right now. However, you, as a buyer will eventually become a seller. I paid top dollar (£25k) fifteen years ago. I have written that off as I can't bear to be insulted at the sort of offers which would be made today should I put her on the market.

I hope you succeed in your noble aim. The odds are stacked against you but the rewards, when they come, are fabulous.
 
chinita said:
Hi Wayne

This should keep you going for a while:

https://m.youtube.com/user/TipsfromaShipWright
Click to expand...

That is a cracking item. I keep watching it bit by bit to see if I can take it all in. Going to take some time as i am just fascinated with it. He is one heck of a craftsmen.

Thank You for that, it is just what I was after ;)


And thank you for all the other replies. If i ever do get a boat i will let you all know and do another blog on it.......although it will be over the 20 years it will take me to rebuild it no doubt :)
 
I agree PhilM's point -sail in the summer and improve in the winter. Did that in 1991 - started improvements in the winter, sailed in the summer and then constant winter improvements - current in progress now. There are some wooden boats that are not yet 'projects'; for me it was a boat that was priced for 'heavy' maintenance. Clearly had some issues ahead soon but the fabric of the boat was pretty solid. So I judged I could do the work or pay for part of it but it could be staged. 25 years 7 days later I think this winter will see the end of the improvements.
 
I had with a friend rebuilt a 18ft open Clinker Launch and what started as a few Topside Planks replaced and Decking it became a 5 year project and just about every thing was replaced and the end result looked stunning.

I never worked out on just how much it costed (it's best not too) a good looking wooden boat turns heads when I am out in the Boat.
 
waynes world said:
Hi all first off all best for tomorrow night :)
I am going to look into the dreaded wooden boat ownership, yes folk will say i am barmy and i agree :D . I see some cracking wooden boats around, now just thinking mind you, but I wonder about owning one A project will likely be the one sought after. There fore it will need work doing, within reason of my capabilities as a joiner though. I have no worries on doing any work needed and it is a good way to learn more by getting stuck in.
I understand there is a lot of upkeep to them and ways around making life easier and longer lasting like GRP sheathing etc.
Can anybody point me to a good read on repairs to wooden boats and maintenance. Internet would be better than books as my eyes are not much cop for books.
Once again all best and bring on 2017, looking forward to new ventures :)
Wayne and T :)
Click to expand...

This should be helpful for you
http://www.offcenterharbor.com/category/in-the-shop/wooden-boat-restoration-repair/
 
Motor Boat Man said:
I never worked out on just how much it costed (it's best not too) a good looking wooden boat turns heads when I am out in the Boat.
Click to expand...

That's entirely correct isn't it, and is one major reason perhaps of 'why' we do it! Pontoon chatting with a bloke, on his immaculate Bennetau/Jeannau 34' ish boat where we shared a dram, he mentioned that it was like the feeling of owning a brand new luxury car at a car show, then someone with a vintage Morgan drives in; whilst it's not jealousy, just somewhat deflating.
 
jamie N said:
That's entirely correct isn't it, and is one major reason perhaps of 'why' we do it! Pontoon chatting with a bloke, on his immaculate Bennetau/Jeannau 34' ish boat where we shared a dram, he mentioned that it was like the feeling of owning a brand new luxury car at a car show, then someone with a vintage Morgan drives in; whilst it's not jealousy, just somewhat deflating.
Click to expand...

as an owner of a Morgan, there is a way of getting the feel good factor without the work (old Morgans are like old boats! - that is buy a new(ish) one. Same look but far superior build. Same with wood boats - you can have both looks and lack of work, but at a price.

So i compromise. A new AWB for trouble free sailing and a wooden boat to admire and fret over.
 
Some good advice above! Let me shove my oar in:
Sure it's a buyers' market, but buy the boat which has already had the work done. I got lucky, the shipwright owner did the renovation then babies started arriving, and Madame insisted on bricks and mortar..
The Wooden Ships brokerage is an educational place to browse.
A recognised type (eg pilot cutter, Colin Archer, West Country Lugger) is easier in various ways, and worth more when you retire.
You will struggle to get varnish and paint to stick in a British Winter. Unless you can pull the mast and put her in a warm shed. Maintenance and cruising will coincide if you stick in home waters. Winter is for technical maintenance, internal joinery, rigging etc.

On the plus side, the quality of life is on a different level compared to grp or steel vessels.

Grp, you are working with obnoxious, expensive chemicals which give you dermatitis. Horrible IMO.

Steel, ok I have done welding and fabrication for a living but every time you want to work on the boat, you need steel toe boots, industrial protective clothing, welding mask, angle grinders, Mig or stick welding kit, it goes on..

Wood boat: , you will get to handle linseed oil, Stockholm tar, hemp (!), lanolin, tallow, tools which don't need leccy but you can carry with you ( can't do that with a Mig welder..)
All the chemicals are safe for the skin, indeed some fetch high prices in tiny pots at the ladies' cosmetics counter..
So go for it.

Get a large, empty boat, fit-outs are A nuisance. How about a rough Lugger or smack? No rocket science involved ;)
Good luck paddy
 
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PhillM said:
Fwiw my 2p is only buy a boat you can sail from day 1. Sail in the summer, improve in the winter. You get the best of both worlds and the thourght that everything you are doing will improve the sailing experence next season is a real motivation.
Click to expand...

A golden rule. You get emotionally attached to it during the first 3-6 months, and then can justify the time and expense during the winter!
 
pyrojames said:
A golden rule. You get emotionally attached to it during the first 3-6 months, and then can justify the time and expense during the winter!
Click to expand...

I love this! How much time do you ACTUALLY spend working on your wooden boat during the winter?

Just give me a rough idea - to the nearest 50 hours.
 
chinita said:
I love this! How much time do you ACTUALLY spend working on your wooden boat during the winter?

Just give me a rough idea - to the nearest 50 hours.
Click to expand...

Ok so in a restoration / major project year I spend about 12 hours a week working on her x six months. Post restoration I spend most Saturdays around her. Some working, some snoozing and some drinking tea with mates.

Although since I took up post graduate study, that has diminished by about half as I have to get some done writing done before I can knock off abnd drive down to see her.
 
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