Reframing - plank end repair

[Todd D]

I just got to a butt joint between two planks in my reframing project. Originally the butt ends of the planks were joined on a single, 1-3/4" width, frame. Because of that the fasteners are within 1/2" of the plank ends. Since the boat has been refastened more than once, the 8" planks have about 8 fasteners each. The result of the original iron boat nails corroding away is that the plank ends are totally shot for about an inch and a half. Obviously new wood needs to go in. What I am thinking of doing is cutting off about 3.5"-4" from the end of each plank and then scarfing in new wood to span the gap making the two planks one. The drawing below shows the situation as it is now along with my proposed repair. The drawing is to scale. The planking is douglas fir and I will scarfe in a new piece of doug fir. Given the extent of the damaged wood and the frame spacing, I can't achieve more than a 7:1 scarfe for this repair. There will be more screws into the backing blocks than shown in the diagram.

Comments and suggestions please.

[MarkH]

would it nor be easier to cut the 2 plank butts back a frame or 2 and drop a length of new plank in?

[boattruck]

Tod, A lot of work boats were built butted on the frames as yours(and mine) is, never meant to still be floating! If there is any indication of other problems one way or another on this plank it is easiest to prune back, build a new butt block a frame bay or two ( if the butt layout will allow it) one way or the other and spile and fit a new plank. If everything else is beutiful in both directions, I like to do a full on 12/1 scarf going both directions, essentially eliminating the butt altogether, similar to your graphic only leave out the blocking, etc. This repair essentially nets you a full length plank. I'v seen this type of repair work for quite a few boats. Best of luck, Cheers, BT

[wizbang 13]

Yea like what Boattruck said.

[Songololo]

Have you seen this thread ... http://www.woodenboat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=106046

[James McMullen]

Oh, this is a bizarre coincidence! I just posted a thread showing this exact same repair--the one Songolo mentions--without knowing you had posted this one.

I'd recommend you spread out the repair a little further so as to land your inside feather edges on the frames--that will make it easier for you to cut them, with that fragile edge backed up, and it will also let you fasten into the frame as well as into your butt-blocks.

Weird! We must be psychic. Or psycho. Whatever.

[chuckt]

How are you going to make the scarf cut on the old plank without pretty much taking it off? If you are going that far, why not replank?

[Todd D]

James thanks for the parallel post. Your repair is exactly what I plan to do.

Chuck. I don't want to replank because that would involve removing 31'6" of good plank to replace 4-5". I will cut the scarfs into the planks with my planes and chisels. I will use my band saw and electric plane for the repair piece. It may take a couple of hours to do the shaping.

[wizbang 13]

To acheive ,In my world, that,. one does not use fancy japenese chissles, ,one uses a 4" makita grinder with SHARP 24 and16 discs. Then step up to 7". ( long scarphs on old oak frames,and 1' thick planking) EPOXE of course

[Todd D]

Sometimes you have to use the tools you have - I don't own a grinder, but I do have planes, chisels and a band saw.

[outofthenorm]

Todd, you don't own a grinder!!?? My dog, man, how do you erase wood if you don't have a grinder? No grinder? That's just wrong.

- Norm