subject: Methods of Wood Boat Repair and Maintenance [print this page] Wood has been used to build boats since man first starting travelling by water. Wood boats are still used today, even though there are more resilient materials to use in these more modern times, wood is arguably the most beautiful material to build a boat from.
The downside to using wood as a building material is its vulnerability to decay from water. For this reason, maintenance of a wooden boat is of absolute importance. Wood can be very durable if sealed properly and it is a very forgiving building material, so it is easy to work with and can be shaped into many shapes, so when it comes to wood boat repair it is something that can be taken on a lot easier than say fiberglass or aluminum. Tools for maintaining and repairing a wooden boat are much more readily available at most local general hardware stores, than other boat building materials, so it is something that can be taken on as a home project rather than needing to bring in costly specialist help.
Wood is a beautiful material to work with and makes for beautiful boats, so if you have chosen to buy or build a wooden boat then you will want to take the necessary precautions to keep this boat in the best possible condition. There are several precautionary measures you can take to help preserve the life of the boat. If you are building a wooden boat from scratch, then picking the right type of wood is your first concern. Some woods such as white woods are simply not strong enough and other woods like Cedar are not very rot resilient. Teak is a very strong wood and extremely resilient to deterioration so is an excellent choice.
Storage of your boat is also an important factor. This depends on the type of environment that the boat is in. A prime example of this is in hot and humid conditions. These conditions will encourage the growth of bacteria and fungi in the wood and so treatment with anti-bacterial and anti-fungal chemicals as well as regular cleaning of the boat are even more important. Another example is storing your boat inside somewhere warm and dry if it is not being used over winter periods.
Wooden boats are a passion for many people and how well you maintain your boat will directly determine how many years of enjoyment you will get from the boat. Even after following these general tips you still need to regularly check your boat for signs of damage or decay, the sooner you notice these the easy and cheaper it will be to repair.
Methods of Wood Boat Repair and Maintenance
By: Greg St.Clair
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