Wooden coachroof leaks

[noswellplease]

I asked this earlier on the main forum but think now I should have been directing the question to this section as the boat is 40 y.o. and the coachroof made of wood.
After the terrible Winter I have noticed small tell tale signs of water ingress into the cabin. The most noticable part is at the base of the cabin entrance, and about 3 locations where hairline cracks have appeared in the paintwork. Inside the wood appears in very good condition bar the cabin entrance where some blackening of the varnished oak is visible.
In general the hairline cracks seem to co-incide with a timber join i.e a horizontal section meeting a vertical section of the coachroof.
I would hate to alter the cosmetic lines of the coachroof so I was wondering would a solution be to perhaps use a blowlamp to burn off the layers of paint on the suspect areas or possibly use nitromowers to get it off. What then, remove any rotted sections. And the hard part making good somehow. How can I achieve this and what are the options. The coachroof was very well made originally so I would like to try and maintain it authentic appearance as much as possible. Any help as always very much appreciated.

 

[oldfrank]

Suggest hot air gun rather than blow lamp. Strip off the paint and see what's underneath - firsdt define the problem.

 

[EastCoastChris]

I'm with Frank, get a heatgun and clean off as much paint as you need to to be sure you're looking at the whole problem.

It feels destructive, but the damage is already done and from personal experience, you feel much better *knowing* what the problem is rather than *wondering* how much further it goes.

Chris

 

[noswellplease]

Coachroof leaks

Thanks for the suggestions, I had a carpender/yacht owner have a look at it and he thinks I am over- reacting and thought the moisture was just seeping in through the channels each side of the entrance hatchway which happens on his boat even though the coachroof is GRP. Anyway I will keep an eye on the situation and may strip off any areas that look a bit iffy. Thanks Russell

 

[oldfrank]

You're not over reacting. If water's getting in and discolouring wood or varnish and you don't stop it then it will go rotten - if it isn't already. There's nothing quite like rainwater for rotting wood. OF

 

[EastCoastChris]

I received a lot of conflicting advice when asking around. Collect as many opinions as you can find and do as much research as you can. You'll soon start to develop your own more informed view from the confusion, everyone likes to offer an opinion on wooden boats, that doesn't mean they're right.

Chris

 

[LittleShip]

Has the coach roof any form of covering GRP canvas ect if so what type. Many on here will be able to talk you through repairs.

A picture would be of help?

Tom

 

[noswellplease]

Coachroofleaks

I have no pics at the moment but will endeavour to get a couple to show what I mean. The coachroof is entirely wood though well disguised with layers of paint. The idea of laying a layer of canvas or grp over the lot would it not make the appearance a bit unsightly. I'm no expert hence my request for advice. I will get some pics next visit to the boat. Thanks.

 

[Kukri]

There is a very old and well tried solution, which has worked for me more than once.

Most "old style" wooden boat yards will lend you the equipment, but if not, you need a grease gun, some grease and some white lead paste, along with a coachbolt which has been bored lengthways and has had a grease nipple brazed onto it.

Proceed as follows:

1. Fill the grease gun with a mixture of white lead and grease.

2. Drill a pilot hole somewhere inconspicuous near the leak

3. Hook up the grease gun and pump until white lead paste comes out somewhere.

4. Move along and repeat.

5. Repeat again...

6. Clean off the surplus white lead paste, bore out and fit dowels to "lose" the pilot holes if in varnish, if not just putty over and paint.

You no longer have leaks.