planking+ribs

[Peter Baker]

Peter Baker
------------------------------------------------------------------------
My first project
26 foot south coast one design planket in mahagoni.
due to reaction between galv.bolts of the ion (galv.)
floors and the mahagoni planking the planks have rotted around the bolts and turned black and softend in big ereas. Guess I will have to replace first 4 Planks both sides.I also have to replace about 5 broken ribs both sides.
Please some profesional advice on how to proceed.
Are there ways of seting the rivets with one person

[Guest20100203]

Big tip, "Get the iron out of the boat" This will likely mean removal and replacement of all the planking fasteners and the restoration of the holes or new ones drilled if the lumber can take it. Iron and mild steel, even when galvanized doesn't last long in a saltwater environment, without a ridiculously difficult maintenance schedule. It was the material of choice when a long life wasn't expected, like racing craft that will be replaced in a few years, once it's edge is lost or in working vessels, where they'd pay for themselves after a few seasons efforts.

Riveting can be done single handed on all but the last plank, unless you start at the garboard and work to the sheer strake and have an open boat. Typically the last plank, seals the boat up and you'll need someone inside the boat holding the iron. One person riveting is difficult to get at first, your body will want to pull the iron away as the hammer comes down on the head of the rivet. It takes practice to teach your body not to retreat, but to apply pressure at the moment of contact.