Wood Boat Repair

[samo_ott]

I picked up this late 50's plywood kit boat cheap last fall but of course it needs work and I've only worked on fibreglass boats before.

So... Does anyone know what's the best way to make sure the underwater joints are sealed and don't leak? Should I remove the center keel piece and side pieces of wood and seal under them and then replace them? What's the best way to fill the screw holes after? Wood filler? And what kind of wood would those strips be as I'll need to patch the center one where it's missing? I'll probably have other questions but that's a start for now if anyone knows... thanks

 

[fixb52s]

Re: Wood Boat Repair

I never owned a wooden boat, but a few neighbors did. One thing you have to understand about them is they have to "soak" in the water for a few days. This swells the wood up on the bottom, allowing them to seal up. As the wood dries (while in storage or such), the wood will shrink, opening up gaps that let water in. Some let it sit in the water for a day or 2 while others set their sprinklers on them.

With that said, some people fiberglass the bottom of the boat to avoid this soaking process. The wood must be dry before doing this. This does distract from varnished boats because most glassed bottom boats are usually painted. If the boat is painted, then no big deal.

That is all I know about wood boats, sorry. I do love the looks of a wood in restored condition, but I probably would not own one due to the wood maintenance.

One story about woods: When I was growing up, we had a neighbor who had to have it all. He purchaced a restored 50s Chris Craft. It was a beautiful boat that was 100% factory perfect. On first day he took it out, he was pissed because it "leaked". He sued the guy he bought it from for selling him a "leaky boat", even though the soaking process was explained to him. In court, he was faced with a judge who ALSO owned a mid 50s Chris Craft. Well, the judge thought the neighbor was a jerk because he also tried to explain soaking, and the guy would not believe him either. To make a long story short, the neighbor ended up paying the court costs, the sellers legal fees and the case was dismissed. That Chris Craft sold for 1/2 of what this neighbor paid for it to someone who still has it to this day.​

 

[maxum247]

Re: Wood Boat Repair

Nice looking little boat! There's different materials and ways of doing wood boat repairs.

I quess the first question you'd need to ask yourself is to what degree you would like to restore the boat to?

If you decide to remove the trim, take plenty of pictures for reference so that you can keep your angles correct when replacing the peices. When removing the peices take your time and study how they mate the surface and how they fasten.

I'd repair with the fact in mind that it is a wooden boat and if you keep it long enough it will need repair again. The center keel gets roughed up at times from use and may need to be replaced more than once during the life of the boat so repair with that in mind.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Wood Boat Repair

I tend to keep my boats for a short time so it's highly unlikely I'll have it more than a couple of years, so quick and easy would be the way I'd like to fix it with minimal work... I paid less than $100 for it... I think it was $75 only... and it has the windshield and steering with it... I have many engines and controls so just wanted to slap it together and putter around in it... The interior also needs work, but that will come once the exterior is done and I can find someone to help me flip it over.

Whats the common wood in these boats other than the plywood? As in the frame? Mahogany? Where can one find mahogany to repair it with?

If I did remove the keel trim and cleaned and filled the gap and then glassed the entire bottom how would the bottom edges be sealed? Would the fibreglass wrap around the edges? If so it would not look very good where it ended?

 

[Coors]

Re: Wood Boat Repair

My Dad and I put F/G on the bottom of a wood home built boat.
After a season of rough bay waves, the f/g separated from the wood, due to each flexing differently.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Wood Boat Repair

wow... although I'm on a sheltered river... rarely do we get white caps... and when we do, I'd rather go out in my sailboat!

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Wood Boat Repair

Does anyone have an idea how to seal the edges just below the waterline around the perimeter?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Wood Boat Repair

Steve it's been 40 years since i messed with a wood. Dad and I built one, i remember using 12 inch wide cloth, and doing each seam, then just glassing all the exterior. painting it blue. lasted 20 years.

 

[marine4003]

Re: Wood Boat Repair

Steve, having restored 2 HackerCrafts 4 ChrisCrafts and numerous other all wood boats,first thing is forget a budget...the first question about wood screw holes...countersink the screws...then buy a "plug cutter" use the same wood for making the plugs,align the grain,knock off extra w/chisel, sand smooth. As for wood...you can use mahogany & teak, for obtaining the wood..Google it and look around prices fluctuate alot,as these woods come from 3rd world country's who use the timber to fund there little civil wars.If you want a trouble free bottom,i strongly suggest West System, coat the entire bottom w/ Barrier coat, sand smooth then use bottom paint. for sealing the seams,same thing,just do it inside if you can to preserve the wood "look" of the boat. i know ive been ambiguous but its hard to judge without seeing the boat. Good Luck.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Wood Boat Repair

The inside would be very tough to glass due to the ribs. I have no problem doing the outside seams other than the appearance.

Speaking of appearance, as you can all see the sides are peeling. What the best method and material to restore that? Sand and varnish?

 

[marine4003]

Re: Wood Boat Repair

Steve, West System doesn't have to use mat, its a 2 part epoxy and you add fillers to match the application,see here :http://www.westsystem.com/ - which makes it easy when you have stringers and ribs,as you can apply the epoxy with a brush or spatula, as for hull paint,sand to wood and i recommend Interlux Briteside,prime & paint. Read the West System pages and you'll have a better understanding of how to accomplish your waterproofing tasks.