Plank Repair

[Dave Johnson]

The hull on my sailboat is planked with 7/8"white pine and at a twist towards the bow I have one plank that has developed a check about a foot long. The check goes through the plank so it is an issue that needs to be addressed.
My question is, short of replacing that section of planking, is there any other way to fix it?

[Elco's]

There is a way to fix it. Router it and spline it. Its thick enough.

[Dave Johnson]

Routing is out was the one option that I had considered.

Thanks for your reply.

[Gary E]

Elco's

Would you cut all the way through the wood making esentially a slot? or would you cut about 1/2 way through and glue/screw in what I would call a Dutchman?

[Elco's]

Considering the curve of the plank at that area, I would not router it all the way through but would epoxy in a dutchman that was carved to fit the bottom of the slot.

Use the same species (pine). Router it 3/4 of the way through (roughly 5/8"). The split in the back of the slot will allow the excess epoxy room for escape. Mix a thickner such as 404 with West Systems. If you get "worrysome" about it, epoxy a backing block inside the hull behind it.

[ 02-24-2005, 01:01 PM: Message edited by: Elco's ]

[Bob Smalser]

Make sure you don't glue the plank to a frame.