Fixing Old Wooden Boat Leak

[evinrude20]

Hi all, I come with questions and tips about restoring an old boat. My grandfather built with his friend a beautiful wooden boat back in 1956. It's a 19.5', closed bow and roof with a 115hp outboard. It had fibreglass put on the bottom of the boat many years ago, I'm assuming to help seal it. Well last season, the fibreglass ripped and didn't get repaired properly and was leaking at a moderate rate. He's 87 years old now and he'd love nothing more than to see it in the water one more time. I can try to upload pictures when I get home from work. I'll try to explain the state of it as best I can. If the boat was on its back, and we were looking top down on the bottom, there is a chunk that has peeled away from the wooden bottom about 6 inches forward of stern, from the left side to about the middle, and runs about 5 feet towards the bow. I'm thinking the best way would be to pull off all the old fibreglass, sand the wood down a bit and re cover the entire bottom around the sides just above the water line. I'm also wondering if anyone knows of a good way to get the boat off the trailer and on it's side? Also, the wood is all still in great shape, I haven't had a great look at teh wood under the fibreglass, but inside under the floor boards, the runners and bottom are all still soli d.Any information about fibreglassing, or other ideas would be great! Thanks so much,

E20

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Fixing Old Wooden Boat Leak

As a grandfather, I just want to wish you good luck with the project and hope that you can achieve your objective. While I cannot offer you any advice on how to make these repairs, there are experts on this forum who can help you with any issue. Hope it goes well!

 

[Sean-Nos]

Re: Fixing Old Wooden Boat Leak

I would take it back to the wood and start again even if the hole is not that big chances are the water has got under the fiberglass a good bit. It's not that hard a job and when it's done it should last till your grandchildren get it.
I used a 6oz cloth and west system epoxy resin on my build,I you can get the cans with the pumps it makes life so easy.When it comes to the fiberglassing it is not as hard as it seems, here is a link to get you going
http://www.google.ie/search?q=west+...esult_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CCMQqwQwAA

As for turning the boat over I braced the inside from one side to the other and turned it over on a blow up bed and pillows and with the help of a few guys and beers sort of like a turnover party.
would be good to see some photos of the boat to work out things a bit better, best of luck, You can do it.

 

[andgott]

Re: Fixing Old Wooden Boat Leak

Is the boat plywood or solid wood? The repairs will probably be a lot easier on a plywood boat, but not to difficult either way if you go about it right...

If you want to fix it right, and not have to worry about it ever again, I'd remove all the fiberglass, and re 'glass the old wood. That is the best way to ensure that it's done right, and that no water is trapped under old fiberglass work, which will cause rot down the line. I've seen it many, many times.

West Systems publishes a great book on the subject of wooden boat repair, you can download it from this page-

http://209.20.76.247/ss/how-to-publications/

It covers pretty much everything you'll run in to on the project in good detail. While West systems makes great stuff, the same techniques apply to other epoxies as well. It's a good read.

Post some photos!

-Andrew

 

[evinrude20]

Re: Fixing Old Wooden Boat Leak

Thanks so much for all the information, it is all going to be so helpful. So I went through all my pictures and couldnt find any of the boat. I did however find 2 on my sisters facebook, I know its not great for now, but it's a start. One is kinda of the inside...you can see it's all open under the bow, the second one is mainly so you can see what the boat looks like.(my grandfather is the one sitting facing backwards). Anyways, I will post some pictures of the damage when I get to the cabin next. I'm just trying to get prepared, so when I go on my holidays I can get to work. I'll keep you all posteed with more pictures.

E20

 

[boatflipper]

Re: Fixing Old Wooden Boat Leak

Very cool boat!
I am no expert but I would also suggest sanding all the fiberglass off and starting over.
Good luck!

 

[Sean-Nos]

Re: Fixing Old Wooden Boat Leak

Just came across this its a ply wood frame used to turn a boat over.

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj33/DickWilliams_album/DSC_04332-1.jpg

http://www.chelseacoachworks.com/images/taber/taber_019.jpg