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kumgang · 19-03-2012, 07:31

Hi there: I've got to take my boat off this week, to do some repair which I hope is nothing serious. The question is how long can be a wooden boat at a boatyard? I have to hire a carpenter because the repair is some specific work I can't do, so my idea is to take the boat back to the water as soon as possible, let's say a month and a half.
Thanks in advance
I promise I'll post pictures of the work as soon as it begins

Sailmonkey · 19-03-2012, 07:34

If I understand you question correctly you're asking how long can the boat be out of the water?
In my limited experience the answer is it depends. I've had some out of the water for 2 months, not a leak once splashed, I've had one out of the water for a week and it took 2 days of soaking before it sealed back up.

kumgang · 19-03-2012, 07:37

Thanks. Yes that is my question, in addition to the max. time for a boat to be at a boatyard (I mean if something makes longer the process, like rains, etc.).
I apologize for my English, is not my language and I must confess I'm not a good English writer/speaker.

Sailmonkey · 19-03-2012, 07:41

It's a boat, some have been in for a year or more. A simple bottom paint should be 3-4 days. Best bet is to keep an eye on the work and make sure that something is always being done.

kumgang · 19-03-2012, 07:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

It's a boat, some have been in for a year or more. A simple bottom paint should be 3-4 days. Best bet is to keep an eye on the work and make sure that something is always being done.

Yes, we'll be every day working on some areas while the carpenter works on the specific stuff I cannot do. We'll varnish and paint the bottom, and do some other minor work.
And my wish is that it doesn't take a long time, max. 2 months.
Thank you very much

rebel heart · 19-03-2012, 07:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by kumgang

Thanks. Yes that is my question, in addition to the max. time for a boat to be at a boatyard (I mean if something makes longer the process, like rains, etc.).
I apologize for my English, is not my language and I must confess I'm not a good English writer/speaker.

Some boat yards keep the humidity up high enough in the barns that it's not as much of a problem, but that's only for yards that work frequently with wood.

Geoduck · 19-03-2012, 07:47

Depends on a bunch of different things - climate, color of hull, type of wood used in planking, thickness in planking, etc, etc.
The longer it's out - the more it's going to leak - simple as that.

kumgang · 19-03-2012, 07:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoduck

Depends on a bunch of different things - climate, color of hull, type of wood used in planking, thickness in planking, etc, etc.
The longer it's out - the more it's going to leak - simple as that.

Good point. Thank you all.
This is my first boat, and this is the first time I take her off, hence my doubts and fears.

**minaret** · 19-03-2012, 07:55

Many old-school shipwrights will staple burlap sacks to the bottom and wet them down with a hose twice daily if the boat will be out for a long time.

**atoll** · 19-03-2012, 07:55

the longer she stays out ,the longer the planks are going to take to"take up".

also a lot will depend on the air temp and humidity in the yard as to how fast the planks and caulking dries out.

here in the uk (cold n wet) many wooden boats get hauled for the winter 6 months + then once returned to the water only take 24hrs to take up.

have seen wooden boats in cyprus (hot n dry) that after 2 weeks you can see daylight through the topsides seams!!

so the answer is definitely "it depends!"

kumgang · 19-03-2012, 08:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by atoll

the longer she stays out ,the longer the planks are going to take to"take up".

also a lot will depend on the air temp and humidity in the yard as to how fast the planks and caulking dries out.

here in the uk (cold n wet) many wooden boats get hauled for the winter 6 months + then once returned to the water only take 24hrs to take up.

have seen wooden boats in cyprus (hot n dry) that after 2 weeks you can see daylight through the topsides seams!!

so the answer is definitely "it depends!"

Perfect, we've got kind of hot and wet weather here in the next months so I guess it'll help. As I said, my aim is to do all we have to do as quickly as we can.
Thanks

**atoll** · 19-03-2012, 08:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by kumgang

Perfect, we've got kind of hot and wet weather here in the next months so I guess it'll help. As I said, my aimis to do all we have to do as quickly as we can.
Thanks

i reccomend getting as much shade as possable over the whole vessel in those conditions espesially the planking,makes working easyier as well.

kumgang · 19-03-2012, 08:26

Thanks atoll, we are thinking about that too.

kumgang · 25-03-2012, 18:02

hi there: finally the boat is out of the water, and the good news are that the bottom is in a pretty good condition except for two pieces that have to be changed (less than two meters) and that we found a very good carpenter who will do that job. We'll sand the bottom and the rest of the hull and then we'll paint the underwater and varnish the freeboard. So we're very happy because it's mostly just a little bit of work and not too much money.
Thank you all for the nice replies and advices.
best wishes and fair winds