freshwater and wooden boats

[lucky jack]

Hello -
This is my first post, and it's been on my mind a long time, so here goes: to what extent will I be plagued with rot if I keep a traditional (non-epoxy saturated) wooden boat on a freshwater lake and use it there for the bulk of its life? I want to build a classic wooden boat, but part of me keeps saying "Don't even think about it - it'll rot to pieces if it doesn't live in the salt." How much of an added hassle is the freshwater life?

Thanks very much,
Ryan

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

My CC is 40 years old and never been in salt. Only minor deterioration has occured in that time.
If you have an electrical system, you don't worry anywhere near as much about galvanic action. There are no teredos or barnacles.

It is true that some woods last longer in salt.. mahogany being one of them.... but only if you care about what happens fifty years from now. ;)

[mmd]

Rot needs three things to grow: moisture, food, and oxygen. Remove any one and no rot. Wood is food, wood needs a small amount of moisture to retain strength, so the only thing left te remove from the rot growth-cycle is oxygen. Keep your boat's finish in good condiion and it will keep oxygen out, so your boat will remain rot-free.

In oter words, good, regular maintenance will make your boat last a long, long time.

[Dan McCosh]

One of the NY 32s here has been in the area for over 60 years. It has not yet had a plank replaced. On the other hand, it also has been kept in the water for 59 of those years, pulled annually for bottom painting. It also has had some problems due to deck leaks. I'm not sure whether or not the salt water as a preservative is something of an urban myth. I'd say climate is more important--the cooler the better.

[brad9798]

Like Peter, my Chris Craft is 40 years old ... coming from Lake Huron for 30+ of those years ... and the balance on the Mississippi ...

Every few years I'll need to replace a softspot here and there ... the topsides are the key to boat maintenance, regardless of whether or not your boat is in fresh or salt. ALL rain is fresh. Keep her covered and/or tight on the maintenance and you will avoid any 'rotting from the inside out' issues ...