Wooden Boat Restoration Repair - WEST SYSTEM Epoxy

5.1.5 Double Planking
3. Wet out all mating surfaces with resin/hardener mixture.
4. Apply thickened epoxy/403 or 406 (peanut butter consistency) to the mating surfaces
(including the surface of the backing plate facing the plank).
5. Install the backing plate(s) to the back of the planking. Temporarily clamp the backer
in position with screws, staples or nails.
6. Install the new plank section. Clamp the section in position with screws, staples or
nails. Fill remaining openings in seams with thickened epoxy.
7. Remove clamps and fair the surface after the epoxy has cured thoroughly.
Repairs to double planked boats involve removing the outer layer of planking, repairing
the inner layer following the procedures already described in Section 5.1, and then
reinstalling or if necessary, replacing the outer layer of planks. Removing both layers of
planking is desirable in that it allows you to examine the planks thoroughly and seal them
completely in epoxy. If you wish to coat the inside of the hull with epoxy, you need to
remove both layers of planking, clean and strip them of paint, and re-bond them to the
framing timbers. Remember you can only encapsulate the inside of the boat with epoxy
if all of the surfaces are coated and all joints glued together.
To repair double planking:.
1. Carefully label the outer layer of planking for position and remove it.
2. Decide if the planks are worth saving. If so, clean, dry, repair and sand them.
3. Remove and discard the canvas between the layers of planking.
4. Follow the procedures described in 5.1.1–5.1.4 to clean out the seams and bond the
layer of planking still on the hull.
5. Bond the second layer of planking, following techniques discussed in 8.4.2. You can
use screws in the old screw holes to hold the planks in place while the epoxy cures.
5.1.6 Repairing Tongue and Groove Deck Planking
The methods described previously are also applicable to tongue and groove deck
planking.
1. Clean the seams to the tongue.
2. If access is possible and the tongue is loose or broken, tape the underside of the seams.
3. Force thickened epoxy\403 or 406 (mayonnaise consistency) as thoroughly into the
seams as possible. This mixture, forced with a 5" wide putty knife, can flow about the
tongue and groove joint and into the underside seam, thereby achieving a complete
bond of the mating planks.
5.2 Lapstrake Planked Hulls
Repairing Hull and Deck Planking 32
Lapstrake (or clinker), like carvel planking, is composed of a single layer of planks thin
enough to bend to the shape of the hull. However, each plank (or strake) overlaps the
face of the preceding plank rather than butting the edge of it. Wooden lapstrake hulls
often have trouble with the lap fasteners working seams open, causing leaks. The most
successful repair is to clean out the lapped seams and bond the planks together with
epoxy. It will be very helpful to work on your boat upside down if it is small enough to
turn over. Repair lapstrake hulls as follows:
1. Remove all paint or old finish on the outside of the hull.
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