leaky boat

[nutmeg2go]

I'm pretty new to this, so be kind.

I'm looking at a wooden rowing/sailing dory. She appears to be in good shape with no rot. I want to be able to drop her in from a trailer, but she predictably leaks as she waits for the wood to swell.

My questions:

1. Can the boat be sealed so she doesn't leak every time she's dropped in (without bastardizing or otherwise ruining a good boat)?

2. If so, what product should be used?

3. Any other thoughts?

Thanks

[Ian McColgin]

If she's planked up from 'real' wood, not much you can do except enjoy the leaks. They won't be too much to really worry much. Just a little slither around the chine. Bring a sponge to keep your crew amused. Enjoy
G'luck

[Andrew]

You might try Slick Seam, a waxy compound that is easily squeezed out as the wood expands. Be carefull as anything else you stick in could put too much stress on the wood and/or fastenings or you'd have a worse situation.

[nutmeg2g0]

Thanks.

The sponge and the active crew sounds like the best bet.

[Ken Hall]

That's the spirit! smile.gif And welcome to the house of fun.

[nutmeg2g0]

While looking at the Lowell Boat Shop site, I found the following information:

"Many owners who store their boats out of the water on trailers prefer fiberglass sheathing for the underwater hull."

I would not want to ruin a great old boat, but is something like this an answer for someone who wants to drop the boat in and go?

[Andrew]

What kind of construction is your boat, carvel, lapstrake, plywood, etc?

[nutmeg2g0]

Lapstrake, tamarack on an oak frame.

[nedL]

If you still have a happy crew with the bucket & sponge then definately stay away from the glass below the waterline idea. - friendly way to say 1) you won't cause a bunch of headaches in years to come, & 2) lapstrake construction is about the worst candidate for fiberglassing anyway. ;)

[nutmeg2go]

Thanks, Ned. That's what I thought, but I was hoping there might be an effective, esthetically pleasing solution.

Regards

[Chris Coose]

Thanks, Ned. That's what I thought, but I was hoping there might be an effective, esthetically pleasing solution.
Got one.
Use the boat often enough so she does not dry out.

Keep her out of the sun. Keep her off the hot top and out of the wind.
Hose her down a couple hours before going to the ramp. If it comes to glassing her. Give her up for a glass boat

[Cedarhill Boatworks]

Park her in the shade, on the lawn with a tarp over her.

[Ian McColgin]

Shade and tarp won't do the job by themselves, but I did once cruise with a clinker dink that we kept tight. She lived upsidedown on the cabin and had a neatly made cover/tiedown fitted. A couple of times a day someone would slosh a bucket of water over it. Just enough to keep her swelled.

In your yard, just draping canvass and watering it daily might work.

The leaky dory I once used would never tighten up at the garboard/bottom seam unless I left it though a couple of tides in the mud.

[Noah]

On my Lapstrake Whitehall pulling boat, I find that if used regularly she will stay tight. The first few times per year though she is a sinker...
To agree, I have found that a Canvas cover is a great way to keep her swelled a bit more. Though watch for rot at the stem where the cover fits down over tight, we had problems there.

I have found giving it a quick hit with the hose every so often is also a good idea. Spraying with water inside and out works well.

Also, Linseed oil is very good at slowing water egress. I would put on a couple of coats of raw linseed cut with regular turps, and then a couple of coats of boiled linseed for a harder finish.

Also what is the paint on the outside of the hull, and how is she finished inside. Paint or varnish definitely slows down the water.

Noah

[Miami Mike]

Okay, I'm toataly new to this and have no experience whatsoever....but....of course I have an opinion. Well, idea might be a better word. How about this, put it in the yard in the shade with a canvas cover and then put one of those soaker hoses on it to let the water run down its sides slowly but constantly. Just an idea.

Good Luck
Mike