Wooden boats in southern waters

[Millennium Falcon]

I am new to this forum but not new to wooden boats. My first four boats were wood but they were in fresh water only and only one of them resided IN the water.

It has been many years, and many fiberglass and steel boats since then but I am now looking for another boat and I find that there are no fiberglas and few metal boats that have the lines I want in a boat. I dont know if it was the medium or just the times, but the lines of boats built before 1970 are ALWAYS easier on the eyes.

Trouble is that I live on the gulf coast where the sea water temp in summer reaches 88F and the low temp in winter is seldom below 55F In these warm waters live all sorts of beasties and worms that love the taste of Mahogany.

This still does not disuade me from my quest to have a beautiful boat...IF...it is possible/practical to have such a boat in these waters. The last thing I want to do is import a beautiful classic that someone up north could be enjoying 40 years from now if all I am going to do is shorten its life time just for my own selfish reasons.

The question I want to ask of this forum is, "Is it reasonable to own a wooden motor yacht (looking for something 40' to 60') in the gulf of Mexico? Can I, by careful maintenance, keep her in good condition, or is it inevitable that she will deteriorate and die.

I would love to hear from some owners here on the Texas coast that have dealt with this problem. So far all I hear is "NO" but its all from people who dont own wooden boats. I heard the same "NO" from non owners when I was considering a steel boat. I found that they were wrong...IF YOU WATCH the things that need to be watched.

Also, while I am sure it would be very objectionable in cold waters, is there any profit in laying fiberglass over the submerged portion of a wooden boat kept in warm water?

And finaly, since summer is damned hot and is hurricane season, would there be profit inhauling the boat during the months of June thru October (times when the water is warmest and boating the least desirable) or would the drying of the hull be less desirable than the worms and bugs that would eat fastest in the warm waters.

Thanks for any comments.

Jim Isbell Corpus Christi, TX

[Millennium Falcon]

I am new to this forum but not new to wooden boats. My first four boats were wood but they were in fresh water only and only one of them resided IN the water.

It has been many years, and many fiberglass and steel boats since then but I am now looking for another boat and I find that there are no fiberglas and few metal boats that have the lines I want in a boat. I dont know if it was the medium or just the times, but the lines of boats built before 1970 are ALWAYS easier on the eyes.

Trouble is that I live on the gulf coast where the sea water temp in summer reaches 88F and the low temp in winter is seldom below 55F In these warm waters live all sorts of beasties and worms that love the taste of Mahogany.

This still does not disuade me from my quest to have a beautiful boat...IF...it is possible/practical to have such a boat in these waters. The last thing I want to do is import a beautiful classic that someone up north could be enjoying 40 years from now if all I am going to do is shorten its life time just for my own selfish reasons.

The question I want to ask of this forum is, "Is it reasonable to own a wooden motor yacht (looking for something 40' to 60') in the gulf of Mexico? Can I, by careful maintenance, keep her in good condition, or is it inevitable that she will deteriorate and die.

I would love to hear from some owners here on the Texas coast that have dealt with this problem. So far all I hear is "NO" but its all from people who dont own wooden boats. I heard the same "NO" from non owners when I was considering a steel boat. I found that they were wrong...IF YOU WATCH the things that need to be watched.

Also, while I am sure it would be very objectionable in cold waters, is there any profit in laying fiberglass over the submerged portion of a wooden boat kept in warm water?

And finaly, since summer is damned hot and is hurricane season, would there be profit inhauling the boat during the months of June thru October (times when the water is warmest and boating the least desirable) or would the drying of the hull be less desirable than the worms and bugs that would eat fastest in the warm waters.

Thanks for any comments.

Jim Isbell Corpus Christi, TX

[Millennium Falcon]

I am new to this forum but not new to wooden boats. My first four boats were wood but they were in fresh water only and only one of them resided IN the water.

It has been many years, and many fiberglass and steel boats since then but I am now looking for another boat and I find that there are no fiberglas and few metal boats that have the lines I want in a boat. I dont know if it was the medium or just the times, but the lines of boats built before 1970 are ALWAYS easier on the eyes.

Trouble is that I live on the gulf coast where the sea water temp in summer reaches 88F and the low temp in winter is seldom below 55F In these warm waters live all sorts of beasties and worms that love the taste of Mahogany.

This still does not disuade me from my quest to have a beautiful boat...IF...it is possible/practical to have such a boat in these waters. The last thing I want to do is import a beautiful classic that someone up north could be enjoying 40 years from now if all I am going to do is shorten its life time just for my own selfish reasons.

The question I want to ask of this forum is, "Is it reasonable to own a wooden motor yacht (looking for something 40' to 60') in the gulf of Mexico? Can I, by careful maintenance, keep her in good condition, or is it inevitable that she will deteriorate and die.

I would love to hear from some owners here on the Texas coast that have dealt with this problem. So far all I hear is "NO" but its all from people who dont own wooden boats. I heard the same "NO" from non owners when I was considering a steel boat. I found that they were wrong...IF YOU WATCH the things that need to be watched.

Also, while I am sure it would be very objectionable in cold waters, is there any profit in laying fiberglass over the submerged portion of a wooden boat kept in warm water?

And finaly, since summer is damned hot and is hurricane season, would there be profit inhauling the boat during the months of June thru October (times when the water is warmest and boating the least desirable) or would the drying of the hull be less desirable than the worms and bugs that would eat fastest in the warm waters.

Thanks for any comments.

Jim Isbell Corpus Christi, TX

[RodB]

Like you Jim, I have never heard anything good from folks here in Texas about woodenboats and their longevity in our waters although that does not mean any of them know what they are talking about. You should look at the following post on woodenboat building for tropical climates.

http://www.woodenboat-ubb.co m/cgi-bin/UBB/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=003968&p=

You will see that the consensus from the above posting is that encapsulated boats sheathed with epoxy and fiberglass cloth last the best in a hot, humid enviornment and good ventilation is a must. There are also many anecdotal stories on traditionally built hulls doing ok in such envionrnments.

You should do some research like contacting some professionals in south Florida or Houston (Seabrook) on this subject especially if considering a traditionally built boat that is just primed and painted, It will just take a little footwork. Also there are many on this forum who can advise you (hopefully they will).

I did have one surveyor here in north Texas tell me that he saw no problem with a traditionally built boat being down here if the boat was a "new build" and was engineered for really good ventilantion. He had had a few negative experiences with traditional boats brought down here that looked fine when surveyed on the East Coast, but developed problems once down here for a few months.

Paul Gartside ( URL=http://www.gartsideboats.com]www.gartsideboats.com[/URL] ) has designed and built a good sized motor cruiser for the Texas coast which I believe was double planked/epoxy glued plus glassed on the exterior. She is quite beautiful and from what I have read she has been very successful. You should contact him for information on this boat. Although he is against strip-planked boats he does have some good ideas on other building methodologies. Perhaps that specific boat is available now.

RB

[ 06-15-2005, 11:46 PM: Message edited by: RodB ]

[RodB]

Like you Jim, I have never heard anything good from folks here in Texas about woodenboats and their longevity in our waters although that does not mean any of them know what they are talking about. You should look at the following post on woodenboat building for tropical climates.

http://www.woodenboat-ubb.co m/cgi-bin/UBB/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=003968&p=

You will see that the consensus from the above posting is that encapsulated boats sheathed with epoxy and fiberglass cloth last the best in a hot, humid enviornment and good ventilation is a must. There are also many anecdotal stories on traditionally built hulls doing ok in such envionrnments.

You should do some research like contacting some professionals in south Florida or Houston (Seabrook) on this subject especially if considering a traditionally built boat that is just primed and painted, It will just take a little footwork. Also there are many on this forum who can advise you (hopefully they will).

I did have one surveyor here in north Texas tell me that he saw no problem with a traditionally built boat being down here if the boat was a "new build" and was engineered for really good ventilantion. He had had a few negative experiences with traditional boats brought down here that looked fine when surveyed on the East Coast, but developed problems once down here for a few months.

Paul Gartside ( URL=http://www.gartsideboats.com]www.gartsideboats.com[/URL] ) has designed and built a good sized motor cruiser for the Texas coast which I believe was double planked/epoxy glued plus glassed on the exterior. She is quite beautiful and from what I have read she has been very successful. You should contact him for information on this boat. Although he is against strip-planked boats he does have some good ideas on other building methodologies. Perhaps that specific boat is available now.

RB

[ 06-15-2005, 11:46 PM: Message edited by: RodB ]

[RodB]

Like you Jim, I have never heard anything good from folks here in Texas about woodenboats and their longevity in our waters although that does not mean any of them know what they are talking about. You should look at the following post on woodenboat building for tropical climates.

http://www.woodenboat-ubb.co m/cgi-bin/UBB/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=003968&p=

You will see that the consensus from the above posting is that encapsulated boats sheathed with epoxy and fiberglass cloth last the best in a hot, humid enviornment and good ventilation is a must. There are also many anecdotal stories on traditionally built hulls doing ok in such envionrnments.

You should do some research like contacting some professionals in south Florida or Houston (Seabrook) on this subject especially if considering a traditionally built boat that is just primed and painted, It will just take a little footwork. Also there are many on this forum who can advise you (hopefully they will).

I did have one surveyor here in north Texas tell me that he saw no problem with a traditionally built boat being down here if the boat was a "new build" and was engineered for really good ventilantion. He had had a few negative experiences with traditional boats brought down here that looked fine when surveyed on the East Coast, but developed problems once down here for a few months.

Paul Gartside ( URL=http://www.gartsideboats.com]www.gartsideboats.com[/URL] ) has designed and built a good sized motor cruiser for the Texas coast which I believe was double planked/epoxy glued plus glassed on the exterior. She is quite beautiful and from what I have read she has been very successful. You should contact him for information on this boat. Although he is against strip-planked boats he does have some good ideas on other building methodologies. Perhaps that specific boat is available now.

RB

[ 06-15-2005, 11:46 PM: Message edited by: RodB ]

[Venchka]

Originally posted by Millennium Falcon:
...And finaly, since summer is damned hot and is hurricane season, would there be profit inhauling the boat during the months of June thru October (times when the water is warmest and boating the least desirable) or would the drying of the hull be less desirable than the worms and bugs that would eat fastest in the warm waters.

Thanks for any comments.

Jim Isbell Corpus Christi, TX

Live on the boat in Maine during those months. That's what folks in Florida do to avoid astronomical insurance premiums.

Our resident woodenboat in tropical (and Arctic) waters will be along shortly with some good ideas.

Talk to the folks at the Seafood Museum in Biloxi who own and maintain two 50'+ schooners. They were traditionally built locally several years ago.

Wayne
In the Swamp.

[Venchka]

Originally posted by Millennium Falcon:
...And finaly, since summer is damned hot and is hurricane season, would there be profit inhauling the boat during the months of June thru October (times when the water is warmest and boating the least desirable) or would the drying of the hull be less desirable than the worms and bugs that would eat fastest in the warm waters.

Thanks for any comments.

Jim Isbell Corpus Christi, TX

Live on the boat in Maine during those months. That's what folks in Florida do to avoid astronomical insurance premiums.

Our resident woodenboat in tropical (and Arctic) waters will be along shortly with some good ideas.

Talk to the folks at the Seafood Museum in Biloxi who own and maintain two 50'+ schooners. They were traditionally built locally several years ago.

Wayne
In the Swamp.

[Venchka]

Originally posted by Millennium Falcon:
...And finaly, since summer is damned hot and is hurricane season, would there be profit inhauling the boat during the months of June thru October (times when the water is warmest and boating the least desirable) or would the drying of the hull be less desirable than the worms and bugs that would eat fastest in the warm waters.

Thanks for any comments.

Jim Isbell Corpus Christi, TX

Live on the boat in Maine during those months. That's what folks in Florida do to avoid astronomical insurance premiums.

Our resident woodenboat in tropical (and Arctic) waters will be along shortly with some good ideas.

Talk to the folks at the Seafood Museum in Biloxi who own and maintain two 50'+ schooners. They were traditionally built locally several years ago.

Wayne
In the Swamp.

[Tom Jackson]

You might also contact the Texas Seaport Museum in Galveston. Although their best-known vessel, ELISSA, is steel-hulled, they have a fleet of wooden small craft and about two years ago received a wooden Gulf Coast shrimper for the collections. (See Currents, WB No. 173.) The director, Kurt Voss, and a co-owner are also rebuilding their wooden sailboat, about a 25-footer, Kettenburg-built. I quoted him in the article about his maintenance protocol. He's a neighborly sort, and I feel confident that a phone call would be well received. Texas Seaport Museum, Pier 21, No. 8, Galveston, TX 77550; 409-763-1877; Galveston museum

[Tom Jackson]

You might also contact the Texas Seaport Museum in Galveston. Although their best-known vessel, ELISSA, is steel-hulled, they have a fleet of wooden small craft and about two years ago received a wooden Gulf Coast shrimper for the collections. (See Currents, WB No. 173.) The director, Kurt Voss, and a co-owner are also rebuilding their wooden sailboat, about a 25-footer, Kettenburg-built. I quoted him in the article about his maintenance protocol. He's a neighborly sort, and I feel confident that a phone call would be well received. Texas Seaport Museum, Pier 21, No. 8, Galveston, TX 77550; 409-763-1877; Galveston museum

[Tom Jackson]

You might also contact the Texas Seaport Museum in Galveston. Although their best-known vessel, ELISSA, is steel-hulled, they have a fleet of wooden small craft and about two years ago received a wooden Gulf Coast shrimper for the collections. (See Currents, WB No. 173.) The director, Kurt Voss, and a co-owner are also rebuilding their wooden sailboat, about a 25-footer, Kettenburg-built. I quoted him in the article about his maintenance protocol. He's a neighborly sort, and I feel confident that a phone call would be well received. Texas Seaport Museum, Pier 21, No. 8, Galveston, TX 77550; 409-763-1877; Galveston museum

[Tristan]

Hi Jim, Friends of mine and I have owned a series of wooden boats over the past 45 years in and about Biscayne Bay and the Florida Keys. For the most part these boats were strip planked, then heavily encapsulated in resin and glass or polypropylene cloth. In this kind of construction the wooden hull becomes an integral wooden mold. I know of plywood boats (sharpies) also built this way, again quite successful provided they are completely encased. An eight ton strip planked cutter I launched about thirty years ago seems to be doing fine. As for bottom protection, the best idea I know of is sheathing with copper. A friend who built a 65 foot dory schooner sheathed her with copper bedded in roofing tar 22 years ago and has never had to haul her (until recently when she was trucked into his "yard" for repair work on rotted hatch coamings. Alternatively, I know of wooden boats which have lasted well PROVIDING they have had lots of TLC, regular examination, hauling, painting, etc. I think it's possible, just a good bit more extra work.

[ 06-16-2005, 09:14 AM: Message edited by: Tristan ]

[Tristan]

Hi Jim, Friends of mine and I have owned a series of wooden boats over the past 45 years in and about Biscayne Bay and the Florida Keys. For the most part these boats were strip planked, then heavily encapsulated in resin and glass or polypropylene cloth. In this kind of construction the wooden hull becomes an integral wooden mold. I know of plywood boats (sharpies) also built this way, again quite successful provided they are completely encased. An eight ton strip planked cutter I launched about thirty years ago seems to be doing fine. As for bottom protection, the best idea I know of is sheathing with copper. A friend who built a 65 foot dory schooner sheathed her with copper bedded in roofing tar 22 years ago and has never had to haul her (until recently when she was trucked into his "yard" for repair work on rotted hatch coamings. Alternatively, I know of wooden boats which have lasted well PROVIDING they have had lots of TLC, regular examination, hauling, painting, etc. I think it's possible, just a good bit more extra work.

[ 06-16-2005, 09:14 AM: Message edited by: Tristan ]

[Tristan]

Hi Jim, Friends of mine and I have owned a series of wooden boats over the past 45 years in and about Biscayne Bay and the Florida Keys. For the most part these boats were strip planked, then heavily encapsulated in resin and glass or polypropylene cloth. In this kind of construction the wooden hull becomes an integral wooden mold. I know of plywood boats (sharpies) also built this way, again quite successful provided they are completely encased. An eight ton strip planked cutter I launched about thirty years ago seems to be doing fine. As for bottom protection, the best idea I know of is sheathing with copper. A friend who built a 65 foot dory schooner sheathed her with copper bedded in roofing tar 22 years ago and has never had to haul her (until recently when she was trucked into his "yard" for repair work on rotted hatch coamings. Alternatively, I know of wooden boats which have lasted well PROVIDING they have had lots of TLC, regular examination, hauling, painting, etc. I think it's possible, just a good bit more extra work.

[ 06-16-2005, 09:14 AM: Message edited by: Tristan ]

[Millennium Falcon]

I read the old thread on building for the tropics and it was very illuminating. But, in the main it was talking about NEW construction. I am particularly interested in how one would "encapsulate" the construction in a boat built in 1926 or so. My interest in wooden boats goes to the Mathews, Stephans, and other old Yachts. IF you start with a perfect, old, wood hull, iIs it possible to lay fiberglas on to it in such a way that it does NOT encorage rot inside the encapsulation? Do you dry the hull in a yard for months before hand? I would think encapsulating "wet" wood would be a formula for disaster!

[Millennium Falcon]

I read the old thread on building for the tropics and it was very illuminating. But, in the main it was talking about NEW construction. I am particularly interested in how one would "encapsulate" the construction in a boat built in 1926 or so. My interest in wooden boats goes to the Mathews, Stephans, and other old Yachts. IF you start with a perfect, old, wood hull, iIs it possible to lay fiberglas on to it in such a way that it does NOT encorage rot inside the encapsulation? Do you dry the hull in a yard for months before hand? I would think encapsulating "wet" wood would be a formula for disaster!

[Millennium Falcon]

I read the old thread on building for the tropics and it was very illuminating. But, in the main it was talking about NEW construction. I am particularly interested in how one would "encapsulate" the construction in a boat built in 1926 or so. My interest in wooden boats goes to the Mathews, Stephans, and other old Yachts. IF you start with a perfect, old, wood hull, iIs it possible to lay fiberglas on to it in such a way that it does NOT encorage rot inside the encapsulation? Do you dry the hull in a yard for months before hand? I would think encapsulating "wet" wood would be a formula for disaster!

[Millennium Falcon]

Sheathing with copper sounds like a nice solution as it negates the need for bottom painting. BUT....can you put sheathing on a 75-80 year old hull, assuming it is in good condition first?

Where would one find information on copper sheathing techniques?

[Millennium Falcon]

Sheathing with copper sounds like a nice solution as it negates the need for bottom painting. BUT....can you put sheathing on a 75-80 year old hull, assuming it is in good condition first?

Where would one find information on copper sheathing techniques?

[Millennium Falcon]

Sheathing with copper sounds like a nice solution as it negates the need for bottom painting. BUT....can you put sheathing on a 75-80 year old hull, assuming it is in good condition first?

Where would one find information on copper sheathing techniques?

[Venchka]

Originally posted by Millennium Falcon:
...Where would one find information on copper sheathing techniques?

Start here:
WoodenBoat On-Line Index

Search for copper sheathing. Quite a few articles over the years.

Wayne
In the Swamp.

[Venchka]

Originally posted by Millennium Falcon:
...Where would one find information on copper sheathing techniques?

Start here:
WoodenBoat On-Line Index

Search for copper sheathing. Quite a few articles over the years.

Wayne
In the Swamp.

[Venchka]

Originally posted by Millennium Falcon:
...Where would one find information on copper sheathing techniques?

Start here:
WoodenBoat On-Line Index

Search for copper sheathing. Quite a few articles over the years.

Wayne
In the Swamp.

[Millennium Falcon]

Wayne,

You say you spend the summers in Maine. What does it cost for a slip in Maine for the summer. That sounds like a great idea even if I had a plastic boat...#8-)

[Millennium Falcon]

Wayne,

You say you spend the summers in Maine. What does it cost for a slip in Maine for the summer. That sounds like a great idea even if I had a plastic boat...#8-)

[Millennium Falcon]

Wayne,

You say you spend the summers in Maine. What does it cost for a slip in Maine for the summer. That sounds like a great idea even if I had a plastic boat...#8-)

[Venchka]

I wish I could spend my summers in Maine on a boat. As things stand now, I get to use my boat in East Texas in July. What's wrong with this picture, eh?

What I have seen and heard is that folks who can afford it take their boats north during hurricane season. The insurance rates drop dramatically if the boat is out of harm's way. The extra benefit is being in a cooler climate.

Folks from Maine can answer your questions.

Wayne
In the Swamp.

[ 06-16-2005, 11:00 AM: Message edited by: Venchka ]

[Venchka]

I wish I could spend my summers in Maine on a boat. As things stand now, I get to use my boat in East Texas in July. What's wrong with this picture, eh?

What I have seen and heard is that folks who can afford it take their boats north during hurricane season. The insurance rates drop dramatically if the boat is out of harm's way. The extra benefit is being in a cooler climate.

Folks from Maine can answer your questions.

Wayne
In the Swamp.

[ 06-16-2005, 11:00 AM: Message edited by: Venchka ]

[Venchka]

I wish I could spend my summers in Maine on a boat. As things stand now, I get to use my boat in East Texas in July. What's wrong with this picture, eh?

What I have seen and heard is that folks who can afford it take their boats north during hurricane season. The insurance rates drop dramatically if the boat is out of harm's way. The extra benefit is being in a cooler climate.

Folks from Maine can answer your questions.

Wayne
In the Swamp.

[ 06-16-2005, 11:00 AM: Message edited by: Venchka ]

[willmarsh3]

I went to the Billy Creal Woodenboat Show in Biloxi in May 2004 and saw lots of old (some 1926) motorboats of the size you are thinking of in addition to sailboats and houseboats of various sizes. I also saw some really cool steam launches. Then there's the Madisonville show in Louisiana in October. These folks may be able to help you.
Will.

[willmarsh3]

I went to the Billy Creal Woodenboat Show in Biloxi in May 2004 and saw lots of old (some 1926) motorboats of the size you are thinking of in addition to sailboats and houseboats of various sizes. I also saw some really cool steam launches. Then there's the Madisonville show in Louisiana in October. These folks may be able to help you.
Will.

[willmarsh3]

I went to the Billy Creal Woodenboat Show in Biloxi in May 2004 and saw lots of old (some 1926) motorboats of the size you are thinking of in addition to sailboats and houseboats of various sizes. I also saw some really cool steam launches. Then there's the Madisonville show in Louisiana in October. These folks may be able to help you.
Will.

[ahp]

There are a bunch of old shimp boats around here and they are built of wood. I have no idea of how sound they may be.

One of the contractors that did some work for us grew up in Darien GA, and as a teenager he worked with two grumpy old uncles who built shrimp boats. They were built using longleaf yellow pin planking and liveoak sawn frames. He claimed they would go twenty years, at least. Some of these shrimp boats look older than that but the shrimp business is off and the owners may be using them until they sink underneath them.

[ahp]

There are a bunch of old shimp boats around here and they are built of wood. I have no idea of how sound they may be.

One of the contractors that did some work for us grew up in Darien GA, and as a teenager he worked with two grumpy old uncles who built shrimp boats. They were built using longleaf yellow pin planking and liveoak sawn frames. He claimed they would go twenty years, at least. Some of these shrimp boats look older than that but the shrimp business is off and the owners may be using them until they sink underneath them.

[ahp]

There are a bunch of old shimp boats around here and they are built of wood. I have no idea of how sound they may be.

One of the contractors that did some work for us grew up in Darien GA, and as a teenager he worked with two grumpy old uncles who built shrimp boats. They were built using longleaf yellow pin planking and liveoak sawn frames. He claimed they would go twenty years, at least. Some of these shrimp boats look older than that but the shrimp business is off and the owners may be using them until they sink underneath them.

[RodB]

FYI... Phil Bolger suggests boats built for shallower waters that may run aground should install copper plating thick enough to offer substantial protection in case the hull is lifted up by the waves and dropped down on the bottom... as it is too much force for most normally constructed hulls to withstand... even modern epoxy composite construction...plus you get the protection from all the little organisms.

I also believe he has an article on installing said coppper plating. Dennis Bradley (see "Which Egret design to build" covered the bottom of his "Egret" with copper plating which I will post of photo of a little later.

RB

[ 06-16-2005, 09:44 PM: Message edited by: RodB ]

[RodB]

FYI... Phil Bolger suggests boats built for shallower waters that may run aground should install copper plating thick enough to offer substantial protection in case the hull is lifted up by the waves and dropped down on the bottom... as it is too much force for most normally constructed hulls to withstand... even modern epoxy composite construction...plus you get the protection from all the little organisms.

I also believe he has an article on installing said coppper plating. Dennis Bradley (see "Which Egret design to build" covered the bottom of his "Egret" with copper plating which I will post of photo of a little later.

RB

[ 06-16-2005, 09:44 PM: Message edited by: RodB ]

[RodB]

FYI... Phil Bolger suggests boats built for shallower waters that may run aground should install copper plating thick enough to offer substantial protection in case the hull is lifted up by the waves and dropped down on the bottom... as it is too much force for most normally constructed hulls to withstand... even modern epoxy composite construction...plus you get the protection from all the little organisms.

I also believe he has an article on installing said coppper plating. Dennis Bradley (see "Which Egret design to build" covered the bottom of his "Egret" with copper plating which I will post of photo of a little later.

RB

[ 06-16-2005, 09:44 PM: Message edited by: RodB ]

[RodB]

[RodB]

[RodB]

[Stiletto]

While our northern waters are probably not as warm as your southern ones, teredo still live here and there are plenty of wooden boats around.
I think owners are just more fussy about their antifouling.
A friend who has an old wooden launch had her out recently for some detail work, and the old boat builder who was doing the work reckoned he could smell worm. Sure enough there was some intrusion which was fortunately caught before too much damage was done. He sniffs first and then goes looking.

[Stiletto]

While our northern waters are probably not as warm as your southern ones, teredo still live here and there are plenty of wooden boats around.
I think owners are just more fussy about their antifouling.
A friend who has an old wooden launch had her out recently for some detail work, and the old boat builder who was doing the work reckoned he could smell worm. Sure enough there was some intrusion which was fortunately caught before too much damage was done. He sniffs first and then goes looking.

[Stiletto]

While our northern waters are probably not as warm as your southern ones, teredo still live here and there are plenty of wooden boats around.
I think owners are just more fussy about their antifouling.
A friend who has an old wooden launch had her out recently for some detail work, and the old boat builder who was doing the work reckoned he could smell worm. Sure enough there was some intrusion which was fortunately caught before too much damage was done. He sniffs first and then goes looking.

[Millennium Falcon]

I dont think it has to do with being lazy about bottom jobs. I

[Millennium Falcon]

I dont think it has to do with being lazy about bottom jobs. I

[Millennium Falcon]

I dont think it has to do with being lazy about bottom jobs. I

[Millennium Falcon]

That last post got cut short. To continue, I know people who haul once a year and re do the bottom. They also have problems. I am sure that there are others that dont and they have MORE problems. But id copper sheathing is nto impossible on an older hull I may consider that.

[Millennium Falcon]

That last post got cut short. To continue, I know people who haul once a year and re do the bottom. They also have problems. I am sure that there are others that dont and they have MORE problems. But id copper sheathing is nto impossible on an older hull I may consider that.