lapstrake seem sealers

[kulas44]

This is my first post to the list, been lurking awhile. I need your opinions on my little project boat. It's a 1972 kulas 44 ft. mahogany lapstrake sportfisher. I live in western oklahoma and the boat has had a full summer and a half to dry out. It's popcorn dry now, the gaps are big between the planks. When i get ready to paint what would be a good seem filler for the planks below the waterline. It will need to be flexible enough to let the wood swell, but i don't want to have to hold the boat on the lift for two days waiting fo it to stop leaking. thanks

[Bob Smalser]

Problem is, if the planks hit something as they are swelling...even something relatively soft...the fibers crush a bit.

Those crushed fibers lose their resilience, and when the boat is dried again, the shrinkage will be worse, requiring more goop in the seams. Crushed fibers also rot more easily.

Then the crush damage repeats itself, requiring even more goop next time...and the planking becomes more and more "tired" in a downward spiral until replacement is required.

[ 08-07-2004, 10:11 AM: Message edited by: Bob Smalser ]

[paladin]

Okey dokey...done this before....my solution..not necessarily the best or proper way wuzz to build a shed over the boat....cover with lotsa blue tarp (CHEEEEEP) tape seams with 100 mph tape (known in some circles as duct tape), weight the bottom of the tarp against the ground with sandbags or old milk jugs full of water, and then set a couple of open buckets of water inside the boat and or a humidifier with a LOOOOONg hose to keep things full. wait a week or two...the wood will slowly expand...then you can see how big the cracks are without playing submarine....

[Domesticated_Mr. Know It All]

Paladin's method will also help you locate the problem areas.
Take time to replace any bad fasteners you find (especially the ones that go into the frames) and the amount of goop required will be minimal. Clean the big gaps in the seams with a hacksaw blade. Reglue and clamp. Refasten.
Is this solid mahaogany or plywood?
Any photo's?
Sounds like a beast. :D

[ 08-07-2004, 11:31 AM: Message edited by: Mr. Know It All ]

[Tom Galyen]

I had the same problem with my 18th century replica ships Jolly Boat, Three Sisters. I went to Mike Kiefer at South Haven, MI and we ran a bead of "Life Caulk" under each strake. You have to look to see it. We then painted the hull. The "Life Caulk" remains flexable its entire life and allows the wood to swell and shrink as it pleases. This did not totally get rid of the leaks caused by the boat being on a trailer, but what I have to clean out now can be done with a sponge at the end of a days sailing, rather than using a bilge pump every 20 to 30 minutes.

I may not have given the correct name for the product we used, so I would reccomend you contact Mike at Great Lakes boats to check. He advertises in Wooden Boat so you should not have trouble contacting him.

Tom G.

[Victor]

And rather than try to eliminate all the leaks, I can recommend my self-bailer made out of a scupper, the kind with the rubber flap. Believe me, it works like a charm, and if it doesn't you can always stick the drain plug in.

[kulas44]

thanks for all the ideas guys.right now the boat is sitting in my yard by my shop. it has a large 4 post overhead lift that surrounds it. my idea was to enclose the structure when i start going back together with everything. the boat is a mess now, but i've got it to the stage where it can only get better. my neighbors think i'm noah or something, they call my place the shipyard. we've had some big frozen snot boats here and still have a 31 ft.er in the yard. this is the first woody- the learnin curve has been steep, but it will be right when i'm done, whatever the cost. the construction is mahogany on oak ribs, millions of copper rivets. the top plank is mdo ply. the house and decks are mahogany ply, glassed over, they had some rot- not anymore. it's a big project. i've got a pair of 6-92 detroits @ 575 hp. for it. the old boat came from long island, that was a hell of a trip. it's been fun.

[Andreas Jordahl Rhude]

Boat Life "Life Caulk" is the stuff mentioned a few posts above. Available any any marine store.

[nedL]

Welcome Kulas! Gee, she has gotten a long way from Keyport NJ where she was built hasn't she. Kulas built real nice boats. AS my dad used to say of the Jersey skiffs 'they leak like an old peach basket when you put them in the water, but tight as a drumb after a couple of days'. You do need to go fairly carefully with what you use for a seam compound (as has been noted it will need to be able to squeeze out). I'd recommmend starting by laying a garden soaker hose zig-zag through the bilge for 3-4 days & moving it around regularly to start things swelling a bit (with the drain plug out). A product called Slick seam is a waxy sort of material that stays soft & is good for that 'while she swells up' period. -- I'd love to see some pictures!!

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid133/pefb92b3cfb2d45f75f62f6a0165653ad/f77fa722.jpg

Here is a 1968 40' Kulas.

[kulas44]

OH MY GAWD, where did you find that article. I can't find anything on Kulas boats. I have looked everywhere. Someone has a 36 ft.er listed for sale, but i have not seen anything like mine. I can't find much about kulas custom sea skiffs at all. This is the first boat, of several, that really excites me, i get the willies everytime i look at it. I've spent a ton of money on a lot of boats but am contemplating selling all of them when i'm done with this one. Any info would be apreciated, thanks

[nedL]

:D http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid133/pa414122e6cf8b0b652cb64dd18f8b015/f77fa72b.jpg

How about a 1968, 36' Kulas :D