Thread: Repairing a small split

G'day Nick
Because I don't have any complex wood-working skills,
I'd gouge the split out with a saw of some kind to gain access to all parts of its innards.
Then fill the enlarged slot with filler of choice - pox / co-polymer sealant / etc.
In my case, that'd be pox, because it's what I have closest to hand & I am comfy
with how it works, & am confidant of not having to revisit the repair in near future.

A professional may have a better method.
cheers
Alan J

The hood ends of those planks are done, spent, worn out, fastener sick, etc. You can repair the splits, but they'll just come back, likely in places just above and/or below where they are currently.

Yeah, I know it's bad deal, but not an insurmountable one. If you just want another season out of her, fill the offending areas with goo and have fun. If you'd like to keep the boat for a while, you should consider a long term repair, which will require restoring the fastener holes in the planks and framing and probably replacing the hood ends (ends of the plank) themselves. With the exception of scarfing on a new plank end, the rest of this is possible by anyone.

Lastly, if the hood ends are like this, it's quite probable the rest of the planking isn't very far behind. Loose fasteners are the usual culprit, so as you get the courage and experience, remove fasteners, restore their hole (not as hard as you might think) and put new fasteners in. Refastening a boat is a time honored way, of saving it from the land fill. If you wait too long to refasten the old gal, the frames will rot, because the loose fasteners let in too much water and you'll have to reframe her, as well as refasten the puppies, assuming the planking is salvageable, so pick your poison wisely.

See, told you a professional would have a better method.

AJ, you're just way too easy to please . . .

Thanks to you both for the advice.

The easy or "slightly" more complex repair?
I'll try the easy solution first put the boat in the water and hope it stays together.
Common sense says to follow Par's advice but if I had any sense I'd have a fibre glass boat

Nick

The problem with bad hood ends is the plank can "spring" which means the fasteners just give up their grip, usually suddenly, which can be a catastrophic event, if farther from shore than you can swim back to.

Good luck with your repairs and let us know how it works out for you.