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Cracks in plank? Acceptable or not?

Framing, planking and fairing. Repair, or reconstruction. If it's hull related, you'll find it here.

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Steve Deligan
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Cracks in plank? Acceptable or not?

Post by Steve Deligan » Sat May 07, 2016 1:50 pm

Hello,

Just joined this group. We have a 1955 22' Continental that was redone locally (Seattle) a year or two ago. We love it!

Today I noticed some splits in the grain around some fasteners on one of the hull planks. The plank is curved toward the bow a bit so I'm wondering if that may be the cause. Or it could be newer wood. Or several other things.

I'm hoping to get some thoughts on how serious this is and if I can just live with it or not. The boat is kept on a trailer in my driveway and is not living in the water. We use it about once a week. The finish is not varnish, the guy took it to an auto finisher who sprayed on clear coat (or something along those lines).

Am I OK to just brush some varnish in the cracks and be done with it, or would you replace the plank, or what? See pictures.
crackedplank1.jpg
crackedplank2.jpg
crackedplank3.jpg

Thanks,

Steve

boat_art
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Re: Cracks in plank? Acceptable or not?

Post by boat_art » Sat May 07, 2016 5:11 pm

Can you find out what finishes they used? I am very suspect of an "automotive finish" on a runabout. The cracking is a concern. Have you talked to the restorer? I have never had that happen on a boat we restored but if it did I would immediately offer to replace that plank.
Tom
BoatArt LLC
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1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
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Doug P
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Re: Cracks in plank? Acceptable or not?

Post by Doug P » Sat May 07, 2016 5:17 pm

If I worried about all the cracks in my boats, my pharmacist would be rich.
As John in VA sez....go boating

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Re: Cracks in plank? Acceptable or not?

Post by boat_art » Sat May 07, 2016 6:26 pm

This is a new restoration.....cracks are not acceptable.
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

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Doug P
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Re: Cracks in plank? Acceptable or not?

Post by Doug P » Sat May 07, 2016 6:47 pm

boat_art wrote:This is a new restoration.....cracks are not acceptable.
I doubt that this was a restoration, he states it was redone a year or two. WHat is a redo vs a restore? I doubt that a restorer would make the modifications or use an automotive finish, and was it purchased from a prior owner or a restorer? Who is the guy that took it to MAACO, sounds like a prior owner.
It looks like this is a go boat, not a show boat.
The fact are not all there.

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Re: Cracks in plank? Acceptable or not?

Post by jfrprops » Sat May 07, 2016 7:31 pm

If this is not to be just another trailer queen.....GO BOATING......after a couple of years stuff happens....

I was boating yesterday and today.....weather finally improved and more like spring.....

head for the launch ramps.

John in Va.
1980 Fairchild Scout 30
19?? custom Argentine Runabout 16'
1954 Whirlwind deluxe dual ckpt 16'
1921 Old Town Charles River 17' (founding Captain, James River Batteau Festival)

Steve Deligan
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Re: Cracks in plank? Acceptable or not?

Post by Steve Deligan » Sat May 07, 2016 7:49 pm

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the replies!

You are correct, it was NOT a restoration. It was redone by a private guy who likes to do projects like this. It is DEFINITELY a go-boat and will never be a show-boat. We love that the engine is turnkey, that the boat runs well and looks great. The hull is virtually bone dry on the inside (a few drops from the stuffing box, etc...). It will not be a trailer-queen.

We will certainly do a varnish job in a year or three when it needs it. I will also replace the white deck caulking (will get into the Sikaflex debate later). But for now we are just going to enjoy our new boat.

I understand that the plank should be replaced at some point. I'm a fairly good woodworker (have my own home shop) and we also have access to some of the best wooden boat shops and suppliers available here in Seattle, so I'm sure we can get it done. The plank will be replaced and the finish will be removed and redone in varnish... I promise. But I'm firstly going to enjoy the boat over the summer.

My only questions right now are:

1. Are we in physical danger? I'm guessing that in a worst-case scenario that the plank could pop off. But I doubt the boat will break in half. 95% of our water time is slow cruising (usually with a gin and tonic). We only run fast if it's relatively smooth and we try not to pound the hull.

2. If we're worried about rot or water damage, would some varnish carefully brushed into the cracks suffice? I'm a decent varnisher and have varnish ready to go from other projects (I build kayaks and high-quality RC sailboats for fun... all needing varnish).

Thanks again!

Steve

boat_art
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Re: Cracks in plank? Acceptable or not?

Post by boat_art » Sat May 07, 2016 9:07 pm

If someone paid to have this done then its not acceptable. If, as you say, the owner did it himself then dont worry about it.
Tom
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

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Doug P
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Re: Cracks in plank? Acceptable or not?

Post by Doug P » Sat May 07, 2016 10:46 pm

Steve, that plank should last for years. Next time you are at a boat show look at the other boats, yours looks good.
Enjoy it.

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dag55
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Re: Cracks in plank? Acceptable or not?

Post by dag55 » Sun May 08, 2016 2:24 am

Don't let that little crack keep you awake... it is a dry crack that comes from a completely natural movement in old wood. I can not see that it will get any worse.
Cavalier 36' Seastrake 1967 "CillaGreta III"
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bjornbakken
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Re: Cracks in plank? Acceptable or not?

Post by bjornbakken » Sun May 08, 2016 8:31 am

Seal the crack with something, a little epoxy with mahogany colored filler and go boating!
1940 17' Chris Craft Deluxe
1958 Riva Florida No. 319
1955 Riva Ariston

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tkhersom
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Re: Cracks in plank? Acceptable or not?

Post by tkhersom » Sun May 08, 2016 1:44 pm

Doug P wrote:If I worried about all the cracks in my boats, my pharmacist would be rich.
I suspect he/she already is with you as a client. Besides, I think I would worry if I found cracks in your Roamer. :shock:
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
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robertpaul
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Re: Cracks in plank? Acceptable or not?

Post by robertpaul » Sun May 08, 2016 2:15 pm

You would be hard pressed to get that plank off as it sits with a four foot wrecking bar..... it sure won't pop off on it's own.
Attachments
M2220025.JPG
Now, THAT'S a crack.
1937 35' Double Stateroom Enclosed Cruiser

Theurkauf
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Re: Cracks in plank? Acceptable or not?

Post by Theurkauf » Sun May 08, 2016 7:52 pm

I would just launch and have some fun. The cracks almost certainly opened up when the planks dried out while sitting on the trailer, and will probably close up after you start using it and it sees some water on a regular basis. You night even hose it down a few times before launching and see if the cracks close up.

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