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On 28 Dec 2004 20:57:01 GMT, (NEILAT 888)
wrote:

In the 50's we had a cedar strip built outboard boat. Most were made
that way in those days. In the spring, we just filled the boat with
water and let it swell up tight. You would be surprised how much it
would take up. Sometimes, we would just put it in the lake. It would
take water like crazy, but after a day, after pumping out the water it
would be as tight as a drum.

Tom

I am trying to restore a wooden gaff-rigged sloop. It is an 18ft. day sailer
with a shallow draft, relatively flat bottomed planing hull and a large fin
keel, built in Holland in 1962. First I'd like to know if anyone recognizes the
description and can tell me something about the design or history of the class.

Second, the boat has probably been out of the water for three to five years (I
got it at an estate sale). The hull is 3-4inch strip planking of an unkown
wood. There are visible separations where you can see light between some of the
planks (from hairline to an eighth of an inch.) Does anyone know what I need
to do to make this boat seaworthy. Do I caulk first and then launch it or do I
do the reverse and see if any of the separations close up when the wood swells
and then caulk the remaining ones. Also, what is the best caulking material?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Neil