Ever go below in a wooden boat? The difference between the interior of a wooden boat and that of a modern fiberglass boat can be dramatic. The sometimes sterile look of a white fiberglass hull liner is replaced by the warmth and glow of wood. The exterior of a well-maintained wooden boat can make a pretty dramatic presentation, as well. Classic wooden boats have been around for a long time. Every now and then you see one that is 100 or more years old. But wooden boats require a different level of commitment and maintenance than do fiberglass boats. In addition to painting or vanishing the topsides and deck, you may also have to caulk the seams and learn how to control dry rot, among other skills. How do you feel about wooden boats? Have your ever owned one? Would you ever own one? Are they nice to look at but too much of a maintenance headache? Share your thoughts about wooden boats here then take the Quick Quiz on the homepage. (Discussion topic and quiz by Warren Milberg)
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I love
looking at other people's wodden boats. They are beautiful but completely impractical unless you have time to devote to their demanding upkeep. I would only consider a wooden boat if upkeeping it were a hobby for me - and it isn't. Heck, I'm getting tired of taking care of a few trim pieces of teak!
looking at other people's wodden boats. They are beautiful but completely impractical unless you have time to devote to their demanding upkeep. I would only consider a wooden boat if upkeeping it were a hobby for me - and it isn't. Heck, I'm getting tired of taking care of a few trim pieces of teak!
Interiors...
I grew up with wooden boats. Fiberglass made the ownership of a larger sailboat a manageable chore for me. In that vein, I had the priveledge of touring the Pardeys' Taliesen a few years ago. Positively a shrine to varnished wood finishes. Entirely too much work for my particular inclination, but unbelievably beautiful and a tribute to Lynn Pardey's perserverance! You gotta respect the owner of a well turned out wooded boat for their dedication and focus on what is a major challenge to the rest of us.
I grew up with wooden boats. Fiberglass made the ownership of a larger sailboat a manageable chore for me. In that vein, I had the priveledge of touring the Pardeys' Taliesen a few years ago. Positively a shrine to varnished wood finishes. Entirely too much work for my particular inclination, but unbelievably beautiful and a tribute to Lynn Pardey's perserverance! You gotta respect the owner of a well turned out wooded boat for their dedication and focus on what is a major challenge to the rest of us.
My first sailboat was solid mahogany
and she was beautiful, but the upkeep was impossible. A friend and I in high school bought this boat, found in a lady's yard in Northwest Florida. We spent months repairing, restoring, recaulking, etc. When we finally launched her, I was so tired of maintenance, I couldn't enjoy the time spent sailing her. We sold her soon after, partly because as high school students, we had niether the time nor the money required to maintain her in the manner she deserved. My neighbor currently has a wooden boat that is as pretty as anyone could imagine, double-ended ketch, teak decks, wooden masts, beautiful, but he admits that he bought the boat for sentimental reasons, and regrets it now. My current boat, DreamBoat (Hunter 30), may not be a classic beauty, but she looks very good to me, and the maintenance is minimal. I can spend my money on enhancements and improvements, and I can spend my time sailing and enjoying her.
and she was beautiful, but the upkeep was impossible. A friend and I in high school bought this boat, found in a lady's yard in Northwest Florida. We spent months repairing, restoring, recaulking, etc. When we finally launched her, I was so tired of maintenance, I couldn't enjoy the time spent sailing her. We sold her soon after, partly because as high school students, we had niether the time nor the money required to maintain her in the manner she deserved. My neighbor currently has a wooden boat that is as pretty as anyone could imagine, double-ended ketch, teak decks, wooden masts, beautiful, but he admits that he bought the boat for sentimental reasons, and regrets it now. My current boat, DreamBoat (Hunter 30), may not be a classic beauty, but she looks very good to me, and the maintenance is minimal. I can spend my money on enhancements and improvements, and I can spend my time sailing and enjoying her.
My first boat was wooden
She was a Cape Cod Cat boat, 16'wl, 8'beam,spruce mast and gaff rigged with a cuddy and the usual barn door rudder, center board with small winch, and 800# of lead ballast. The boat was made of marine plywood and had a hard chine, she sailed well. Remmeber that she had mast hoops and was missing them so I used hoops made for the beetle cat that I found at a chandlers in Falmouth Ma. I used to moor her on Monk's cove Buzzard's Bay. Every winter I would have her pulled, clean off the bottom and remove everything that would come off and spend the winter sanding and varnishing coat after coat. Gee she was a nice little boat. Miss her.
She was a Cape Cod Cat boat, 16'wl, 8'beam,spruce mast and gaff rigged with a cuddy and the usual barn door rudder, center board with small winch, and 800# of lead ballast. The boat was made of marine plywood and had a hard chine, she sailed well. Remmeber that she had mast hoops and was missing them so I used hoops made for the beetle cat that I found at a chandlers in Falmouth Ma. I used to moor her on Monk's cove Buzzard's Bay. Every winter I would have her pulled, clean off the bottom and remove everything that would come off and spend the winter sanding and varnishing coat after coat. Gee she was a nice little boat. Miss her.
Check out
Ganon Benjiman's website. Sorry about the spelling, but they are the best, well worth the look. My own h23 seems like alot of work at times, but I often dream of owning one of these beauties!
Ganon Benjiman's website. Sorry about the spelling, but they are the best, well worth the look. My own h23 seems like alot of work at times, but I often dream of owning one of these beauties!
No way...
...would I own one; way too much work. Beautiful? You bet. Nicely finished wood is always beautiful. Lost art form? While there are fewer builders who specialize in wood, they are still plentiful if you have the funds. Too much work? And how! I know several wooden boat owners who spend more time working on their boats than sailing them. Nicer than new designs? Not always. I've seen many buggery ugly wooden boats as well as glass. Cheers, Bob
...would I own one; way too much work. Beautiful? You bet. Nicely finished wood is always beautiful. Lost art form? While there are fewer builders who specialize in wood, they are still plentiful if you have the funds. Too much work? And how! I know several wooden boat owners who spend more time working on their boats than sailing them. Nicer than new designs? Not always. I've seen many buggery ugly wooden boats as well as glass. Cheers, Bob
Robust pieces of art
I think wooden boats are robust works of art; they are the perfect marriage of form, function and beauty. While I would agree that there are some ungainly wood boats out there, for me, there is nothing more beautiful than a well-designed and maintained wooden sailboat. Period. Would I want to own one? No way. I don't have the time to maintain the six small pieces of teak on my Oday 23 in the way I would like. However, nothing stirs the soul so much as seeing a wooden sloop from the pre-fiberglass era sail into view. Someone else on this thread mentioned the Gannon and Benjamin yard website. They are a yard dedicated to building wood boats the traditional way (plank on frame construction). IMHO, one of the best boat books ever focusses on the yard, their way of life and their efforts to build things of lasting beauty in our modern, disposable world. If you are interested in wood boats, pick up "Wooden Boats" by Michael Ruhlman.
I think wooden boats are robust works of art; they are the perfect marriage of form, function and beauty. While I would agree that there are some ungainly wood boats out there, for me, there is nothing more beautiful than a well-designed and maintained wooden sailboat. Period. Would I want to own one? No way. I don't have the time to maintain the six small pieces of teak on my Oday 23 in the way I would like. However, nothing stirs the soul so much as seeing a wooden sloop from the pre-fiberglass era sail into view. Someone else on this thread mentioned the Gannon and Benjamin yard website. They are a yard dedicated to building wood boats the traditional way (plank on frame construction). IMHO, one of the best boat books ever focusses on the yard, their way of life and their efforts to build things of lasting beauty in our modern, disposable world. If you are interested in wood boats, pick up "Wooden Boats" by Michael Ruhlman.
New York 30
Two weeks ago while sailing in Gardiner's Bay I saw a magnificent New york 30, one of the pioneering Hereshoff designs -- in wood of course -- now celebrating its 100th anniversary. See link for pictures and information on the restoration. I am pretty sure it was the Nautilus which sails out of Shelter Island. One of the most beautiful boats you could ever see, but I am sure I would not own her if it was given to me. I am glad there are people devoted enough and rich enough to spend the fortune required to restore boats like that and keep them up.
Two weeks ago while sailing in Gardiner's Bay I saw a magnificent New york 30, one of the pioneering Hereshoff designs -- in wood of course -- now celebrating its 100th anniversary. See link for pictures and information on the restoration. I am pretty sure it was the Nautilus which sails out of Shelter Island. One of the most beautiful boats you could ever see, but I am sure I would not own her if it was given to me. I am glad there are people devoted enough and rich enough to spend the fortune required to restore boats like that and keep them up.
It does float though.
I have owned many wooden boats and build one using modern day adhesives and tools. If your ship breaks up at sea, I don't think they will find you clinging to a piece of fiberglass. That being said, they are entierely too much work for us normal folk.
I have owned many wooden boats and build one using modern day adhesives and tools. If your ship breaks up at sea, I don't think they will find you clinging to a piece of fiberglass. That being said, they are entierely too much work for us normal folk.
Historical beauty
My wife and I never miss an opportunity to attend wooden boat rendezvous in our area. We think the beauty of the boats, the amazing (and daunting!) amount of work involved in renovating and maintaining them, and the historical importance of keeping them as part of our heritage is worthy of the upmost respect and admiration! Bill on STARGAZER
My wife and I never miss an opportunity to attend wooden boat rendezvous in our area. We think the beauty of the boats, the amazing (and daunting!) amount of work involved in renovating and maintaining them, and the historical importance of keeping them as part of our heritage is worthy of the upmost respect and admiration! Bill on STARGAZER
The love of it all
The classic lines and beauty of of it is enough to set you in dream land. Right now I am considering moving from my catalina 30 to a spindrift 42. Yes alot of work to maintain all the wood on deck with the raised salon the railing the bowsprit and teak decks. But Go below and the beauty will win your heart. If living on the water is part of the program and not owning a house with repairs it also needs, It will work for me. Your love of it must be more than your worries. I have 16,000 invested above the purchase price of a 80 catalina 30 and do not regret it. The wife might say different but that is another story. Happy sailing to all. Keep your dreams alive!!!!!, John
The classic lines and beauty of of it is enough to set you in dream land. Right now I am considering moving from my catalina 30 to a spindrift 42. Yes alot of work to maintain all the wood on deck with the raised salon the railing the bowsprit and teak decks. But Go below and the beauty will win your heart. If living on the water is part of the program and not owning a house with repairs it also needs, It will work for me. Your love of it must be more than your worries. I have 16,000 invested above the purchase price of a 80 catalina 30 and do not regret it. The wife might say different but that is another story. Happy sailing to all. Keep your dreams alive!!!!!, John
If you get shipwrecked in a wooden
boat you can burn the remains to keep warm until someone in a plastic boat comes by to rescue you. My boat is glass reinforced plastic with a wood interior that is kept well oiled and scrubed.
boat you can burn the remains to keep warm until someone in a plastic boat comes by to rescue you. My boat is glass reinforced plastic with a wood interior that is kept well oiled and scrubed.
I've owned wooden boats
all my life: grew up around them; began building them at age twelve. In my 30's, I caught the sailing bug, and have been building traditional wooden sailboats ever since. I enjoy working with wood, paint, varnish, etc., so maintaining a wooden boat is a labor of love for me. Some of my friends have plastic boats, and while they are very nice (pretty, sail well), they don't have the soul a wooden boat has. They don't live and breathe like wooden boats do. But, that's just my humble opinion... fair winds and following seas to all.
all my life: grew up around them; began building them at age twelve. In my 30's, I caught the sailing bug, and have been building traditional wooden sailboats ever since. I enjoy working with wood, paint, varnish, etc., so maintaining a wooden boat is a labor of love for me. Some of my friends have plastic boats, and while they are very nice (pretty, sail well), they don't have the soul a wooden boat has. They don't live and breathe like wooden boats do. But, that's just my humble opinion... fair winds and following seas to all.
Wood I, wood I?
I a perfect world yes, I would love a beautiful classic wooden boat but there have been so many improvements including comfort and safety and unless you are retired and have alot of money to spend each spring, get a fiberglass boat, the maintenance will kill you!
I a perfect world yes, I would love a beautiful classic wooden boat but there have been so many improvements including comfort and safety and unless you are retired and have alot of money to spend each spring, get a fiberglass boat, the maintenance will kill you!
Dreams turn to Nightmares!
I agree with Rag Waver about the "soul" of a wooden boat. I've sold many glass boats without a blink, but wood boats that I've had had almost seemed like friends to me. The only thing is, don't get one if you can't afford the time and trouble for upkeep. I've seen two types, one of which doesn't sail... only works on the boat, and the other who tears it apart then abandons them to the crusher. They won't make more of these classic boats so buy them with a sense of heritige and responsibility. Well, it's back to work on my 1948 46 foot classic Chris Craft!
I agree with Rag Waver about the "soul" of a wooden boat. I've sold many glass boats without a blink, but wood boats that I've had had almost seemed like friends to me. The only thing is, don't get one if you can't afford the time and trouble for upkeep. I've seen two types, one of which doesn't sail... only works on the boat, and the other who tears it apart then abandons them to the crusher. They won't make more of these classic boats so buy them with a sense of heritige and responsibility. Well, it's back to work on my 1948 46 foot classic Chris Craft!
I love
looking at wooden boats. Other people's wooden boats. I'm glad they are still around and hope the artform never disappears. But wood I own a wood boat? I woodn't. If plastic boats hadn't been invented, most of us wood never have been able to get into sailing....
looking at wooden boats. Other people's wooden boats. I'm glad they are still around and hope the artform never disappears. But wood I own a wood boat? I woodn't. If plastic boats hadn't been invented, most of us wood never have been able to get into sailing....
My Father said...
My Father, who was merchant marine captain in the Dutch Merchant Marine, called wooden boats miserable, slightmy more miserable than the Liberties he had to sail on shortly after WWII. He was all for modern things, fiberglass and all. Romantic...he was a practical man and so am I.
My Father, who was merchant marine captain in the Dutch Merchant Marine, called wooden boats miserable, slightmy more miserable than the Liberties he had to sail on shortly after WWII. He was all for modern things, fiberglass and all. Romantic...he was a practical man and so am I.
Woody
There is one quality that a fiberglass boat doesn't have that the ole' dinosuars have, swelling qualities. If you have a small leak in a fiberglass boat, chances are it will leak until such time as you haul it out and fix it, if there is a small leak in a woody, it may just close from the wood swelling when put into the water.
There is one quality that a fiberglass boat doesn't have that the ole' dinosuars have, swelling qualities. If you have a small leak in a fiberglass boat, chances are it will leak until such time as you haul it out and fix it, if there is a small leak in a woody, it may just close from the wood swelling when put into the water.
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