corrective action question - nails poking out of chine

[stevenj]

I'm working on a 14'4" Flatiron skiff, out of the Dory Book. Last night I put on one of the ply sides. I'm using all SBronze fasteners, screws on the bowstem and transom, and RSNails on the chine and frames.

So, the screws went in fine, predrilled and counter sunk. Most all of the nails went in OK as well, I predrilled these too.

But, some of my predrilling for the nails were at the wrong angle!!!! Crap. So now I've got nails poking out of the inner chine strip. Along with the nails poking out, there's splintered wood about.

So now I need to fix these. I'm seeking advice on this. I have some ideas, but I'd rather butcher less than more.

I think I could probably tap the nails out from the inside. Although the sides were glued with epoxy then nailed, so there's probably (atleast) a trace of epoxy holding the nail.... and the splintered wood, I could fill with thickened epoxy, but I can't get a clamp in there to get the shape back. If I can't get the nails out, should I just start grinding? then fill with thickened epoxy?

Although the nailing mishaps suck, my boat is really starting to look like a boat!

regards,
stevenj

[L.W. Baxter]

Part of the beauty of a boat like the flatiron skiff is that such things don't matter too much. I'd just tip them over with a tack hammer and beat them flat into the wood of the chine. Pick out the broken splinters and putty or epoxy. You're probably going to paint inside anyway, right? Even if you want a natural finish, I don't see why it should bother you, IMHO.

[merlinron]

or, using the edge of a 4 inch grinder, grind them back, cutting into the chine just a tiny bit, making a canoe shaped divot. then fill the divot with thickened epoxy. if you are going to finish it bright, dye the epoxy to match the wood color, but a bit lighter shade( varnish will darken the epoxy some) and the canoe shaped divots will blend in pretty good.

[kc8pql]

I'd just nip them off with a pair of end cutters, peen the little stub that's left with a nail set and keep going.

[Mike Vogdes]

You would do more harm than good trying to remove boat nails, they really bite into the wood and are nearly impossible to remove.

I would repair as mentioned above and not worry about it..

[pipefitter]

Also,A cutoff wheel works good too.

[sdowney717]

Leave them in where they are.
And do what everyone has said.
Besides, think like this, sending them in at an angle means they hold better than if they went in straight. When the board tries to pull stright off, the angled nails are being stressed at an angle and more force would be required to pull them out. So it all worked out just fine the way it is.

[TimothyB]

I second nipping with an end cutter and grinding down.

:)

[stevenj]

thanks fellas. I've got nippers and a dremel, so I'm good to go.

This forum is a great resource. Thanks again.

regards,
stevenj