If you own a wooden boat and are looking for the best repair guidelines, then you can browse around on various online websites. Alternatively, you can also take the help of books from the local library, especially if you face structural problems with old boats. Most online sites are reliable and offer expert guidance for boat repairs.
If you are not confident about repairing your wooden boat on your own, choose a professional company that has enough experience in this field. Expert professionals know exactly what factors determine the endurance level of the boat. You can consult any of the companies through email or call them directly. These companies encourage you to send photographs of the repairs and other problems faced by the Outdrive boat repair and give you suggestions and guidance.
In a general perspective, here are a few factors that contribute towards the durability and condition of wooden boats -
The boat's age - As compared to new boats, older boats are prone to deterioration of wood and the resultant problems.
Construction type - Construction type sometimes determines the extent of repair in wooden boats. For instance, if your boat was constructed with methods such as carvel, then it may deteriorate faster and face structural problems as compared to other construction types such as strip-planked.
Wood type - Another factor that determines the durability and extent of repair is the type of wood used to make the boat.
Certain woods such as white pine are not strong enough and deteriorate faster under improper conditions as compared to woods such as old-growth teak that are almost completely deterioration resistant. Cedar is another type of wood that is not rot-resistant as today, it is grown in farms and does not possess tightness of grain or enough accumulated resins that area essential for durability and longevity.
The environment of the boat - The environment where the boat is often used plays a major role in its extent of deterioration. For instance, in certain areas, the weather may be warm with a lot of humidity and rain. Here the water tends to be warm too encouraging growth of bacteria and fungi in wood. In areas where weather is cooler, the moisture content is less and water is cool too, wood does not deteriorate quickly. In areas where there are long periods of bright sunlight, wood and coatings may be damaged faster by the UV light.
Maintenance of the boat - How well you maintain your boat also determines its longevity. Maintenance involves following the right method for using and storing the boat.
If you have been storing your wooden boat under an open cover, your boat will face lesser deterioration as compared to boats stored in open slips outdoors. Similarly, if your boat storage allows for free air movement inside, then it will face fewer deterioration and repair problems as compared to boats that are covered tightly with canvas tarps.
Storing a boat in salt water is better than storing your wooden boat in freshwater if you want to ensure less rot. Instead of taking your boat for granted and just using and storing it, it pays to inspect your boat closely once in a while and treat it with the right chemistry.
These are a few factors that determine the extent of wood deterioration.
If you own a classic wooden boat and want to restore it, then you can either take the help of a professional or do it on your own. Restoring the sleek and classic wooden boat is a labor of love and has to be done with great care. Though it may be expensive, the classic value of the boat makes it worth the effort.
The first step is to wash the classic boat with mild soap water starting from the hull to kill germs, spores, and bacteria. Inspect and replace weak wood in the frames and keel if there is rot after removing the bottom of the boat to provide added strength. Use mahogany planks outside and marine-grade pine on the inside to replace the bottom. After sealing the bottom with high-grade sealing, it is now time to deck the floor and re-plank the sides.
The next step is to clean the engine after tearing it down. Replace hoses and wiring and restore using wiring wrapped in classic cloth. Use only original, authentic materials for seat upholstery. Choose the best UV blocking polymer and coat the upholstery with a layer. To make your classic boat shine as it cuts through the water, re-chrome the railings and gauges. Your wooden boat is now ready for sailing after repair and restoration.
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