To soak or not to soak ? This is the question!

[VKRUE]

I am restoring a 1960 plywood boat, 17' long. Recently I was asked whether or not I was going to be soaking my boat before launching it.

A workmate has told me that his uncle restores old wooden boats and says that he floods his boat, letting the boat soak for a couple of days, and then draining it just prior to launching. This is supposed to let the BOAT swell. This has me confused

The boat that I am restoring is going to be a fresh water boat only.

It is my understanding that I don't want to let my wood be exposed to water,any more than necessary and to seal all wood and end grain as best as possible. I've made major repairs to the keel and hull. I am in the process of removing all paint (down to bare wood) and coating all outside hull surface with CPES penetrating epoxy to seal wood before painting.

Is my workmates uncle working with a different type of boat / construction ?

Am I still on the right path with my project?

Any and all comments welcomed with respect, thanks.

VKRUE

[SamSam]

I believe that might be done to a boat built with narrow planks but not to a sheet plywood boat. Someone else will come along shortly and give you the real facts. Sam

[tja]

He is more likely talking about planked boats that are caulked between the boards. These types of hulls usually have to sweel to seal the seams. This type of construction doesn't make use of epoxy and modern build tecniqes. I think what your doing is the right way to go. Good luck, Tom.

[Ike]

No, you don't want to soak the boat. That was done with plank on frame, clinker, lapstake, etc boats, and is still done with boats built of solid bare wood. This was done after caulking the seams to get the wood to swell and tighten the seams, thus preventing leaks.

However, the whole point of coating and sealing the plywood in resin is to create a stable material that won't swell or shrink and won't rot. In fact if you have done your job right and sealed all the surfaces the plywood won't absorb any water. That's the theory anyway, and there are many boats around to prove the theory.

Anyway, Don't soak the boat. Just rig it, launch it and enjoy.

[VKRUE]

Sam sam, Tja & Ike;

Thanks guys, much relief !
I was hoping that someone would say exactly what you guys said refering to the planks and caulking.
Will work with confidence once again.

Being first boat, it took a lot of studying and time to gain confidence to cut open hull and remove part of keel. Same to re-make the new section of keel and repair / replace hole in hull.

At any rate, work can continue, thanks again.

VKRUE