H-28

I just bought my first boat an h-28 Herrershoff design. she has hull leakage, need info for repair--- also design questions is she a double plank design---I have water coming through screw holes but very little seam leakage.

 

Fortunate you have bought a very good boat. Old or new herrershoff has a very reputable name, that is if your boat truly is a herrershoff. There have been alot of knockoffs. I apologize as memeory fails but I do not think they are double planked. However Im sure it is cotton fitted seems similiar to the chris craft. I cant explain why ever in the world you wold have screw holes below the boot but possible as people in the world do many strange things. If the screw holes are small I would suggest finding a small piece of the same type of wood and widdle splinters to plug the holes. You want to hammer tap them in. (DON'T POUND them in, you may split the grain in the plank then you'll have a real leak and a bigger problem on your hands. Snug them up a bit and take a SHARP chisel and shear them off and sand down to match the original. Depending on the wood and size of the hole (mahogany likes to swell rather far) you may want to gouge them out slightly so the swelling will even up with the original. If the holes are slightly large (1/2" or more) I would recommend placing a patch of cotton before plugging them. Be sure to do the same on the inside of the hull if possible so that something or someone can not punch them back out. Not only will the leak return but it could splinter the outer side of the plank after it had swelled tight. There are many good compounds and chemical caulkings on the market (5200 for example) but I never recommend them on older wooden boats. As you may have read in my other post old would may have plenty of life in it but the natural oils are sure to have dried out. Using modern compounds can be detrimental to the wood. I have built many wooden boats and always send a couple gallons of wood oil with it. (teak oil for example) I would try this quick and simple remedy (plugging) first. If you still have problems you can e-mail me direct at sweatviolet@yahoo.com. I hope this helps. Nothing is more worrysome to me than a leaking boat. By the way I would love to see some pics if you have the means. I am somewhat of a herrershoff fan.

 

Forgot to add, If the wood is soft around the hole plug it as is. If the wood is hard or if the holes are odd shaped or large you may want to drill them so that your plugs will fit/seal/hold tightly.

 

Try to extract one or more of the screws for examination. If the screws are iron then you may have what is called "iron sickness". That is the case when the fasteners themselves deteriorate from rust or other causes. In some cases the condition affects the surrounding wood and major repair becomes advisable. If the wood is sound, you may be able to replace the screws with the next larger size or plug the holes with dowels and put new screws in another location.

If you have a genuine Hershoff it is more than worth what may be considerable expense for restoration. Even if it not an original, there have been many H28s built by competant builders and the boats are an enviable posession.

 

The Sept/Nov. issue of Wooden Boat mag has an article about Hershoff ketches and yawls. There is a bunch of information about the H28. If you have not seen the article, then by all means grab a copy of the magazine.

 

Check out this page.

they do what seems to be some great work with restorations and recreations of classics- including several Herreschoff's.

 

The H-28 has been built as cold molded, double plank, double diagonal and a few other methods, including 'glass versions with raised cabin tops from the western rim of the Pacific. She's a much admired and copied vessel.

If it's true double planked boat and leaking at the fasteners, then you have a major set of issues to deal with. Double planking is generally quite dry, unless there are problems.

Call a reputable surveyor and have the old girl looked over by a pro. You can waste a lot of time and money, with things that have little to do with the problems that may be troubling her, if you don't.

 

Mind if I join in this thread. I am looking at a H-28 in San Pedro CA. Lots of work there too. I will enjoy reading along with you all about this wonderful boat.

Jeff