The joys of wooden boat ownership

[Neil C.]

There is another thread on the forum at the moment extolling the virtues of old wooden Cherubs, which I agree with 100%. They do have their own challenges as well though. 2631 is back home for her winter lay-up. Thought I'd give her a quick once-over at the weekend, before packing away in the garage. I was a bit alarmed to find this under the foredeck! The panel to the right is the forward face of the main bulkhead, topsides to the left and underside of foredeck at the top. The bolts passing through the decomposing wood are the ones which hold the chainplates onto the boat!!

[Phil Alderson]

At least with a wooden boat you can see it, On the kipper I had the chain plates going into an organic mush previously known as plywood sheithed between two layers of glass.

Good luck with the repair.

[andy_paterson]

I'm sure I did actually put the bolts through the backing plate timber. It looks like the boat has been stored upside down.

[Neil C.]

I believe she was stored on her side in a barn for many years before I bought her. That corner is where the squirrel had made it's nest. At least I think it was a squirrel, judging by the acorns it left behind in the nest. The ply panels are discoloured but feel reasonably sound. It's the timber battens which are rotten. Those white flecks in the photo are the mould growing on the wet wood. The main chainplate is a little further aft on the other side of the main bulkhead where the structure is still solid. This is a secondary chainplate which takes the lowers and uppers, so not quite as bad as it first seems. I'll get it sorted.