A wooden boat, properly built and maintained with high-quality materials, will outlast boats of other construction. The thousands of production boats built in the mid-20th century have a reputation for excessive care and expense due to the poor materials and workmanship used at that time. This stigma continues to plague traditional boatbuilders. After restoring scores of older wooden boats, we have come to understand the problem areas and these issues are addressed in the design and construction of our new vessels. Some points to consider:
1. STEAM-BENT OAK FRAMES. Frames tend to crack at the turn of the bilge because of tension stresses in the outmost fibers. Good construction incorporates "kerfing," which involves making a saw cut in the frame from below the turn of the bilge up to the sheer. When the frame is steam bent into place, the inner and outer layers are able to slide in unison, thereby relieving the pressure. The two layers are glued together to make a solid frame that is stronger than the standard steam-bent frame and completely eliminates the problem of broken frames.
2. ROT. Rot is unlikely in a boat that is well built and maintained. A conscientious builder will use rot-resistant wood, eliminate sapwood and seal and bed all joinery. If the boat is properly cared for, there will be no leaks, which lead to rot; in fact, a few years of neglect will have little impact. Concession can be made to modern materials that add to the boat's longevity: sealants and adhesives are used judiciously in areas that can benefit. Decking is often marine plywood sheathed with Dynel (an acrylic fabric with good abrasion resistance) and epoxy, which will make it watertight for many decades. Most vessels rot from the top down; therefore, a watertight deck is the first defense against problems with rot.
3. FASTENINGS. The use of steel fastenings has caused many problems. Paired with oak, steel reacts with the naturally occurring acid that accelerates the demise of both materials. Silicon bronze is now used and eliminates the problem.
4. MAINTENANCE. The best way to ensure the long life and performace of a wooden boat is to sand, paint and varnish it each year. Studies show that the cost of this annual chore is about equal to the care of fiberglass. Well-constructed wood boats need only painting and varnishing for the first 25 years.
5. RESALE VALUE. The yachting world is currently experiencing a revival of classic designs, and traditional construction methods are earning their place in culture and history. This is reflected in the higher resale values, better ratings in regattas and the resurgence of boatyards dedicated to the care and maintenance of these icons.
These are just some of the ways that Boothbay Harbor Shipyard works towards preserving the New England maritime tradition of building wooden vessels of enduring design and lasting beauty.
