refastening 1959 lapstrake CC Skiff.

[pwiggins24]

Have ordered issues 54,55 which covers this... but I'm impatient http://media5.hypernet.com/~dick/ubb/smile.gif

My hull is sound; but while removing my struts was horrified as the Bronze nuts broke into pieces as I removed them. This has caused me to reconsider my assessment that my hull is seaworthy. If my Sherlock powers are correct... my 1959 40' lapstrake assembly used 3 different fasteners: 1) lap-to-lap rivets above water line. 2) lap-to-lap Nut/bolt below waterline. 3) Screws fastening lap to rib throughout

Yes/no?

All of my reading regarding refastening has seemed to indicate replacing the screws (lap to frame), and "hardening" the rivets (tightening via a 3oz hammer tap?). What about the lap-to-lap nut/bolts; retighten?

Also... original mfg used a 5200 between laps and wondering out loud, should I bother doing any refastening without going the distance and removing/replacing the inter-lap 5200?

many thanks...

[Alan D. Hyde]

Welcome, pwiggins24. Perhaps we can compare notes as we go along.

I am not far enough into the work on my own Sea Skiff, a 27' 1961 single-engine hardtop, to give you much good guidance.

I am going to replace some strakes, however, and (not to highjack the thread, but) I would love to know how the factory in Salisbury originally beveled the strakes.

Now, I do have lots of sailing and boatbuilding books with different suggested approaches for this.

I'm just curious how the FACTORY originally did it? Any Sea Skiff factory alums-- or others who know--- around?

Alan

[Eastman]

PWiggins24,
I would give serious thought to not messing with your 5200 plank sealant. When two chunks of wood are joined with 5200 they do not come apart without destroying one or the other. It can be done, but it is not easy. Unless you are positive you have some sort of problem with the sealant, leave the worms in the can. Don Danenberg has written three articles on lapstrake repair for Classic Boating that are excellent ( issues 94,95,96). I am deep into an extensive repair on a 26. SkiffCraft which is essentially the same construction and if I didn't have to remove the 5200, I wouldn't.