another fairing question

[gaff cutter]

These questions got lost in the earlier thread, so I thought I am repeating them here. I've replaced all the fasteners in an old carvel planked hull a couple of years ago (pulled galvenized nails and replaced with bronze screws). The hull is pretty fair, but needs improvement. Two questions: (1) If I fair it now I will cover up some of the bungs- is this ok? (2) How do you fair over flexible seams?

[Lew Barrett]

It's OK to cover. If the fasteners get wet and expand through oxidation, they won't be covered for long! If they don't get wet and don't move around, so much the better.

By "flexible seams" I assume you mean the plank seams. Plank seams will show/come back after a period of time on even the very best built carvel hulls.
It's in the nature of the wood to move. Some places seem to hold up better than others on my boat and rarely need special attention, others get more exposure to sun or weather (my boat has a fair amount of tumblehome) and seem to crack out with a bit more vigor. Something you get pretty good at over time is not worrying too much about a hull that isn't grooved that may show a seam or two from time to time.

But it is always nice to put her back into the water as a perfect specimen. There are a few different kinds of compound you can use to fill surface cracks, but if they are not deep, I wouldn't worry too much about using seam compound on the one hand or even fairing epoxy (the soft, sandable kind) on the other. You can even use something like Polyseamseal (HD product) to fill small cracks and opening. It's available in several colors (clear and white are best) and is paintable, "reverseable" and compliant enough not to damage plank seams if the wood expands. Then fair and paint with the whole boat.

Is that what you were asking?

If the seam is deep and serious, then you'll want to use a purpose made seam compound, although for a couple of deeper cracks I have I have been experimenting with white lead paste and have had great success. Fills and (obviously) takes paint like a champ, and seems to stay where it's put and "do what it's told."

[RFNK]

Also important to point out that you shouldn't use fairing filler (epoxy or other non-flexible fairing filler) over the seams as when the seams do open up, they'll crack away the fairing filler. I don't know of any flexible fairing filler but I'm sure others will be able to help with this. You can certainly use epoxy-based filler over your bungs and anywhere where it doesn't cross over seams or joints that are likely to shift. Rick

[pipefitter]

Butt joints, the boat painters I saw South of here made an oil based painter's caulk on site that contained lead for topsides. It hardened right about the time that the hull needed repainting anyway. That sounds similar to what Lew is talking about. It had a texture and feel much like window glazing compound and smelled of linseed.

[gaff cutter]

Thanks for the help. Let me clarify the "seam" question: I am referring to seams between planks that are payed and then sealed with a flexible putty. There are several places on the boat that need fairing and the low spot extends between two adjacent planks. How does one fair the planks by adding fairing material? If I fill over the seam, then I think it will eventually crack unevenly. If I need to try to avoid the seam while fairing how do I preserve the distance between the planks so that I can add sealer to make the surface even?

[Todd D]

I had a similar problem. I had a low spot on a plank after I refastened. I sanded the plank back to bare wood then epoxied on a thin piece of new wood that was proud of where it needed to be. The next step was a few passes with my electric plane, a bit of sanding and finally a coat of west system epoxy with microlight fairing compound. I covered a few bungs, but the surface is absolutely fair now. The entire repair took maybe 2-3 hours not counting epoxy cure times.

[Lew Barrett]

If I understand, you have long "hollows" following the planks centered just where they join (at the seams) and you are concerned that filling them with a fairing compound will invite them to crack out or craze unevenly at a later date. I presume from your description that you have a washboard looking affair going on now?

If so, I would either ignore the problem for now if it isn't too unsightly, or fair the entire boat with a long board. There really isn't too much in between.

Can you guess why there are hollows? (maybe power sanders?) Even better: got photos?