Restoring a wooden sailboat.

[colpittsdragon]

My father and I acquired a carvel-built wooden sailboat, not sure of the wood used. Due to a number a factors (weather exposure, and ineptitude of the former owner) the coating of urethane/varnish (not sure which) is peeling off. Now we're about to set to the task of stripping and refinishing her, and I have a couple of questions. I hope someone can answer them.

1: What sort of finish would be proper to use on a boat of this sort? Urethane? Varnish? Or something I'm not aware of, perhaps.

2: Is there a particular type of stripper we should be using?

[Butch .H]

Hi am also restoring a old boat . Try www.rotdoctor.com.I have a feeling you will get more response from them than here.

[alan white]

If your boat was properly finished, the finish is varnish at least with a 99% likelihood.
Not sure what size it is and maybe it doesn't matter, but you might add some more detailed information and a picture if you can.
Normally, the hull is painted, as the upkeep of varnish is extreme to say the least.
So I assume only the deck has varnished pieces.
Use a good (not the cheapest) paint stripper like Zip Strip from Home Depot, etc..
What size is your boat, what make or type, how is the boat structurally, is there rot, etc., etc..

Alan

[Butch .H]

Hi Alan. My Sailbaot is a 33ft Estlander buitl in 1933 (much debate about this) I have posted pics under Projects in progress. I will be moving her home in two weeks. She is seaworthy but in need of some remedial work. The previous owner used all sorts of junk to plug leaks and painted her with "house paint".

[Meanz Beanz]

In my experience the single pot polyurethane varnishes flake off more in chunks, they give better life but when they fail they are best removed before repainting. If your heart is set on varnish I think that oil based is the best way to go, it dose not last quite as long but is easily maintainable, a light sand and a top up coat and you are on your way. If it's poly and its breaking down then it is a bigger job.

I'm not sure about strippers, all I ever used is the standard run of the mill stuff with no real dramas.

I have done masts in Intergrain 2000, its water based high UV resistant stuff. You will not get a varnish finish of it but its a good option on things like masts and cabin sides if you can't deal with the demands of varnish every six months or so (depending on the sun where you are).

Cheers
MBz

[Meanz Beanz]

I knew a British Paints chemist once, she said that the stuff in the premium enamel cans was the same as the marine lines.... only they charged less for it. :D I've seen house paint used with great success on boats in the past, its not all bad!

[Butch .H]

Hi Meanz Yup seen a lot of wierd paint jobs but in this case PVA was used a horrible red/pink stuff .Inside gloss enamel about 2mm thick.

[Meanz Beanz]

Yum !

[Butch .H]

Have a look at this and tell me the previous owner was sane

[Meanz Beanz]

Poly spray foam?

[Butch .H]

Yup Probebly used 3 0r 4 cans different colours. best of all have a look at the bow sprit arrangement

[Meanz Beanz]

You are a brave man! :D I hope you got her cheap!

[Butch .H]

Yes got her for a song. Huge debate as to who designed her. The owner claims it to be a Estlander. A more literate member of the yacht club claims she is a S&S. I dont realy care as there is huge potential very little rot and dammage is confined to the coach roof. Going to replace anyway .Aft cabin was added in the 1950's ?

[Meanz Beanz]

Back that shot up a bit, some one here might recognise it. Better not hijack this thread to much... post a new one.

[Manie B]

Butch
nice one buddy
go for it

keep on posting as many pics you can, the guys here are very helpfull and you can tap into a moutain of excellent info

cheers

[Butch .H]

Thanks Manie
Two weeks to delivery and six months to repair then on the water. Also have a RCOD to restore . Want in ?

[Manie B]

Butch
where are you
Durban ???

[Butch .H]

No PMB am building a boat yard at home Dbn is to far to have a boat sitting on the hard.

[GWB]

Hows the project coming along Butch? I have a Westsail 32 that we found in Arizona that we are completing (35 year old never launched) We are about 2 weekS from going in the water.
I used to live in Durban and grew up in PMB....we live in Oregon now (for the past 12 years)

Post some more pictures !

[Butch .H]

Hi GWB
I am a long way from the water.I have how ever found she is in better condition than I antisipated. I will post photos of my progress.

Regards
Butch

[Andy]

I usually strip without paint stripper if possible - its really messy and can cause problems with paint adhesion later. If you are lucky, you can take a sharp Tungsten Carbide bladed scraper and scrape the paint/varnish off dry. This will give you a very clean base which just needs a light sanding. If the paint starts tearing wood fibres off, then either the scraper isnt sharp enough, or you need to use a hot air gun (mind not to scorch the wood). Paint stripper is not worth the hassle, expense, environmental damage etc (unless its a small nook that you cant get into with a hot air gun)