Method frustration

Alright.

Im frustrated and turn you those far more learned than I.


In a previous thread I explained the process in which my Grandfather built his 37 foot, down east style fishing/cruising/liveaboard boat.

It was built back in the late 1960's and was strip built in Juniper wood. No fiberglass was used, the hull was just painted.

According to my father, what he did was build the hull, put it in the water and watch it sink. They pumped the water out, and watched it sink again, only slower. This cycle was repeated until the juniper strips had swelled up and formed a water tight seal. Once that was done, the boat was pulled, the hull was primed and painted, and put back in the water where it stayed.

This boat lasted until the late 1980's when it was sold to a gentleman that totaly redid the decks and cabin into a much fancier boat. The hull was still is excellent condition, with no rot. It had once had a hole in the upper bow repaired after a storm tossed the big boat into a pier.

Why am I frustrated?

I cannot find anywere on the internet...ANYWHERE, a tutorial or pictures or anything describing this type of boat building method. I can find stuff on laptraking with plywood panels. I can find stuff on striplanking...with plywood and therefore, fiberglass.

My grandfather said that boats were built this way back in the "olden days".

Is there anything out there that would help me learn more of this process? My grandfather has long since departed this earth, having done so when I was a wee lad, so I cannot benefit from his eperiences.

 

And so.....

as soon as I vent my frustration in public, I discover the apropriate name.

Carvel Planking.


*embarrassed*

 

go to www.woodenboat.com and go down to thier forum. A lot more knowledgeable about wooden boats and as you will find...there a alot of boats that are bulit just the way your grandfarther did. I have been in boats launched that way, paid to bail as fast as i could until the planks swelled up....that's how you got young boys instrested in boats....

 

Ha Ha, and I was wondering how to get my boys more involved! I'd be wary though, I know it takes about half an hour to get my hand crank ice cream maker to swell to the point where it won't leak, I think relying on my 10 year old to bail for a half an hour, and we might go down!!

 

It looks like you've figured some things out on your own. Carvel planking is definately different than strip planking. Here is an old article from Popular Mechanics, I believe. Traditional strip build. No leaks on this build.

http://www.svensons.com/boat/?p=Utility/DollyVarden