How can i stop the tide.

[mydauphin]

I have fixed this kind of boat before. It can be expensive and more than likely a waste of time and money. But here is how to do it.

First you to plug holes from outside with 5 minute epoxy putty. It is available in tube under varies names for underwater repairs. It will do a fair job of keeping water out of holes. It can even be applied under water, but remember from outside.

Used a screwdriver to poke around to see weak spots and fill with epoxy. Go slow, you dont want to try repair boat in one day.

Once you got it floating. Try to get boat as high as possible, jack it higher with each tide. Depending on how long you have to work with on tide - You can use either a quick cure epoxy or may be Poly resin. Your going to seal wood crack and make basically a shell around it to reinforce hull and seal it. If you have the time between tides, I would use coal tar epoxy on outside all the way to deck.

Make sure inside structure is strong. But don't seal inside your going to have to dry it. I have used acetone and or alcohol to help dry wood. Very dangerous but it works. You could also get dehumidifier but it takes time. Once inside is dry fix all wood rot and reinforce structure. WHo knows you may need some serious work in structure. You probably want to remove alot of interior to get to access to hull. It is better in long run to strip inside and restore any old wood structure. May be some planks have to be restored.

I have coated insides with epoxy, and this just made wood rot inside. So dont coat inside with anything beside paint.

I would then either move her to a place where she you be haul out. But be careful - old wood boats dont like to be lift by crane.
I would build cradle under boat and using big timber lift cradle above present location. Or perhaps use craddle and trailer to haul out. You just have to be vary careful.

Also one last point. I have redone many boats in 36'-50' range. I started my 70' boat 3 years ago, it is alot bigger than I imaged. And everything is much more expensive than two 36 foot boats... There is where money goes.

[stonehouse]

Thanks all ! we are into the deep water now!. Thanks DGREENWOOD for being so direct but its ok i am not that naive or rich.
I appreciate all the comments posted . i am guilty of being a romantic especially when it seems the odds are stacked against us, However that is part my job in a way and to remain eternally optimistic and undaunted no matter is my natural state.....sometimes it helps
In answer to Frosty( Two Red heads,hope they don't catch up with you!)Yes i do have funds but probably not enough to keep this lady in the manner she once was accustomed to.
Fear not Frosty there is a plan B and she's a Humber keel
The point in question now seems to be what is the most cost effective way to stop the tide and keep her afloat whilst we build a modern home next to her.
Pericles, once we move on if you are ever in the area you are most welcome. I grew up in and around Shoreham looking at these boats,the estuary and the beach. Quite an eclectic mix don't you think. Its not just about the boat its about joining a community and living a different life.
Time and money!! the eternal dilemma ,what price to save a piece of history.
Maybe we should have a vote .
All those in favour say......

[DGreenwood]

To put it in some perspective: A reasonably skilled DIY guy can build a pretty solid speedy and comfortable cruising boat using modern methods in about 3000 hours give or take some. That is a really brutal "man year" or one year for one man working every day including weekends and long days---no vacations.
I have restored a 65' schooner (granted it was a goldplater) that took 35,000 man hours. OK...lets say you only do a really workboat finish and you don't get too finicky. Lets say you could do this 5 to 10k hours.(optimistic) Sit down and work out where those hours will come from...freinds soon disappear when you they see how much work it is and girl friends don't usually like going there every weekend for the rest of their lives.
Do yourself a big favor and do the math.

If you are still keen then you are incurable and there is only one way ease the malady...accept a life without any real relationships, tv, money, or vacations and dig in.

[mydauphin]

Originally Posted by DGreenwood

To put it in some perspective: A reasonably skilled DIY guy can build a pretty solid speedy and comfortable cruising boat using modern methods in about 3000 hours give or take some. That is a really brutal "man year" or one year for one man working every day including weekends and long days---no vacations.
I have restored a 65' schooner (granted it was a goldplater) that took 35,000 man hours. OK...lets say you only do a really workboat finish and you don't get too finicky. Lets say you could do this 5 to 10k hours.(optimistic) Sit down and work out where those hours will come from...freinds soon disappear when you they see how much work it is and girl friends don't usually like going there every weekend for the rest of their lives.
Do yourself a big favor and do the math.

If you are still keen then you are incurable and there is only one way ease the malady...accept a life without any real relationships, tv, money, or vacations and dig in.

After 3 years and over $100k I am still 85% there. My wife and kids think I am crazy, my business has suffered ... Friends whats that. OH people that you have to beg to help you when things are to heavy to carry. I have done many boats in my life but a 70 foot boat is like four 35 footers connected together.
Think about sanding, painting, steering, engines, electrical. Assume nothing works, it is like building a boat from hull.

That said, if I had to do over - I would pick a smaller boat... good luck

[boatsource]

Stonehouse, good luck with the project!

You said she leaks but is in good shape? I'm guessing you took some time checking the hull with a few sharp and blunt instruments? And the leaking is coming from the hull, not the decks/bad weather?

Sounds like you just need to do a little caulking, or corking as some would say. There's a few ways you can go about it. There's messages in this forum that get into it.

From what I gathered in your messages it sounds like she's high and dry on the flats at low tide? I don't know of any overly hot parts of England but I would still think that her 'drying out' every day wouldn't make for an easy hull to keep sealed.

I've seen some people shoot foam into the hull cavities (for you, wherever there isn't cement) to keep them afloat. Didn't work too well on the 105' tug we lived on, went down in the winter with the bilge frozen (consider that word of advise - the people who were on it didn't know about freezing bilges or fresh water lines for that matter).

Also if she's a throw away you can always fiberglass over the hull.

Just my 2 cents. Again, good luck.

[mydauphin]

REMEMBER TO also seal deck, windows and anything. It would be a shame to get water in your boat in the form of Rain.

[alan white]

What a beautiful boat. Get those lines, in any case.

Alan