Is wood good?

[Ron]

ONLY A LITTLE WOOD

I recently removed all the wood from my H34. I replaced the brightwork in the cockpit with King Starboard Polymer Dolphin Gray. I cut the pieces and beveled lines just like the existing teak. It looks great, no more refinishing, the color contrast is nice, and I even put steps on the swim ladder with the same material. I had planned to make handrails and side molding with the same material but opted instead to replace with new teak pieces that I made. The 3/4" Starboard did not look substanial enough to the eye although it was fine structurally. Additionally I was concerned about the south Texas heat on the exterior parts not covered by a bimini.

 

[ted]

retirement

nothing better than plenty of varnish on the topsides!saving hard for the retirement and the time!!but, as has to be asked about the perfectly turned out boat -"will it sail?"ted.

 

[Bob Camarena]

Depends

For right now, my classic '81 C-30 has the right amount of wood. I love wood boats of all kinds (old, new, sail, paddle, row and power), but realize that I personally don't have the time or patience to take care of one. About every 3 months or so I buy a Wooden Boat magazine and dream.I guess that they're kind of like classic cars. I'd love to have one, but not for everyday use.

 

[Bob Howie]

Wooden boats

Despite my rant against wood -- it's only spawned from too much childhood time slaving over the stuff instead of being out on the water -- I will say that watching wooden boats being built is an amazing thing to see. Actually, I've contemplated doing a documentary on the history of it where I'm from, but too many other projects currently in the way.However, and admittedly, with wooden boats, you can actually "feel" the personality of the damn thing and that's what's amazing about it. Actually, most people will tell you that wood is a good material to build boats out of, but they are just murderous the on the upkeep. I know, we had a solid wooden boat when I was growing up and I will say this much, they can sure as hell take a pounding that would probably crack the plastic.To me, tho, some wood aboard, particularly down below and the occasional handrail is not a bad thing, but I'd rather go sailing than varnish.And -- geez, here I go again -- Peggie is right about the prep; do it right and once in a while maintain it and Cetol does a pretty good job standing up underneath the UV. I've also go Armada's MC2000 topside, too, and it's durable stuff.

 

[Peggie Hall/Headmistress]

Dave, you're a man after my own heart!

Today's generation of boat owners includes very few "craftsmen"--people for whom working with their hands is a joy and who take pride in their results. To them, owning a boat is ONLY about sailing it...no tactile involvement at all, nor any idea what I'm talking about. For them, any maintenance that takes more effort than "wham, bam, out of the slip" is drudgery.Which could also explain the high divorce rate in our society too.

 

[Daniel Jonas]

Hmmmm......

I'll have to try to explain to my wife that all that tactile time spent working on the boat is good for our marriage.Dan Jonas (S/V Feije II)

 

[Jim Baldwin]

Sleeping in the Bathtub

I have a boat full of mahogany and teak. The interior seems warm, rich and inviting. It makes you feel,(some how), safe and secure. My brother owns a BigMac Power-sailer. There isn't a scrap of wood anywhere, not one piece inside or out. He brags that he can hose it clean on the inside. (This is true).Sleeping overnight in his Mac is like bedding down in the Shower stall.

 

[jim]

will wod disapear?

With so much going on with the making of new boats I would hope not. Around here where I am at I would like to see just one solid wood sailboat very rare here. Even my chrysler has litle wood on it. A dying breed I hope not.

 

[Steve Dion]

No redeming value!

Sick, sick, sickIf you love refinishing wood so much, you should stay at home and mow the lawn. "Mow the lawn and watch it grow.Varnish the wood and watch it peel." What is wrong with Y'all.My idea is to go to the boat and watch it SAIL and Sail and Sail.There is always going to be a market for you sado masochistic sailing brethren. But any mfg that wants to sell boats WILL NOT have exterior wood. Check out the newer Hans Christians, YES Hans Christians. They do NOT have teak exteriors. There is no market for this type of boat. Euro, SE Asian and American boats no longer see a need for insane use of wood on the exterior.Exterior wood was designed for power boaters these people leave their boats in the dock for 49 weeks per year in a covered slip. Then on July 4th they take them to a fireworks show and rush back to the dock. They just spent $150 on fuel for a 4 hour outing and are jazzed that someone saw all of that shinny teak. Oh yes I am a biggot. I like my friends boats with wood exterior wood trim. I sit on their boat, drink my beer and rub their new finished teak. Then we sail on MY boat (their varnish/cetol is still wet)<g>.Now there are a few of us that get to sail (Dan J) a couple of extra days each year because they live in the/a fog. The wood only gets sunshine 2 days out of 7 each week.

 

[jeff leo]

luv wood, but not too much thankyou

Maybe a little teak is nice to look at, but it doesnt take long to look bad. Grabrails only please, save the wood for the cabin. j .leo h23 Recess

 

[David F. Smith]

Wood or not

Wood is good inside but outside replace it with Stainless please.

 

[Jim]

Wood Lust

Every boat I've ever truly lusted for had lots of wood showing.Go find a marina with a bunch of white or tan plastic and stainless steel sailboats and a few well maintained yachts with plenty of teak showing. Now pick a shady spot and do some people watching. Where do the folks wandering the docks stop? Which boats seem to be actually worth taking the time to admire?Scott from Bainbridge came close to my sentiment in this. Here's another way of putting it: there is boating and then there is yachting.Unfortunately, I've never had a boat I truly lusted for...Lunch hour is about over and I've not gotten through all responses to this thread, but so far nobody's addressed the question purely from the perspective of the last line in the original question "if you had time."If I had time there would be plenty for sailing and for varnishing. I wouldn't want a wooden boat, but I'd have plenty of trim and accents.If I had time I'd finish reading all of this thread. Unfortunately, I've got to go back to work, and tonight I'll to home to my mostly plastic O'Day that is about all I can handle given the time I can allocate to it.But I know the difference...Fair winds.

 

[Rick D]

I'd Love To Have A

Choy Lee Lion or a Kettenberg 50. Matthews sedan power cruisers are way pretty too. Having said that, I hire out the maintenance of the three square feet of exterior varnish. Have always varnished my interiors myself, tho. Just re-did the sole on my 40.5. (The PO did the rest.) I had a wood boat for 19 years and, frankly, the exterior maintenance was no worse than a couple of plastic classics I also had. I now get my fix on a Fae and Bowen 1915 launch I part own. Rick D.