12 replies to this topic

[amblecoble]

Can anyone tell me the best flexible filler to use on the  planks of my coble. As she has been out of the water a while her planks have cracks that you can see through. I thought of filling with flexible filler before painting as I know she will take up when back in the water. Any help or advice would be gratefully received.

[restlesswave]

our clinker boats when they`re gazed we put them out on a mooring for a week and let them sink (they don`t sink completely as the buoyancy of the timber will keep them up) this will close all the cracks. obviously this can`t be done with an inboard engine so in that case i would suggest life caulk. a light rub into the worst cracks and stand by her till she starts to swell again-another trick is to keep her well filled on the shore with a fresh water hose till she closes a bit-again you obviously have to be carefull with an inboard-the problem being that for a while the water may run out quicker than the hose can put it in then you turn your back and the waters suddenly coming over the gunnels!-whatever you decide to put in don`t put to much in as the timber will swell if the crack is deep and filled with something hard it will damage the board-we also used to use a mix of putty and paint-the paint would soften the putty.

[markh]

2 possible options, sikaflex, very waterproof, flexible and sticks like shit to an MP's expense account, but is pricey

traditional solution would be putty, normal glazers putty, to a fist size lump of putty, add a golf ball sized lump of red lead putty, and a marble sized lump of grease. the red lead slows the hardening of the putty and grease makes it sticky as owt

if its for above the waterline, same mixture, but use white lead putty.  the white lead wills top the putty from hardening completely so allowing it to move when planks take up or dry out again

[amblecoble]

Thanks for those ideas. Much appreciated. As she has an inboard sinking probably isn,t an option. I've also had oil based mastick suggested.

[paul h]

a produt called tallow has been used here a few times

[KEVIND]

just put in water with a good pump it wont take long b4 she takes up fillers just a waste ov money

[Bob.YTS Skipper]

Put the hose in it and take the wifes ironing board outside and tell her to keep an eye on it while she does the ironing and shout you if there is any problems.All the better if it is a sunny day she will get a tan at the same time,everybody is happy.

[Jammy]

Quote

Put the hose in it and take the wifes ironing board outside and tell her to keep an eye on it while she does the ironing and shout you if there is any problems.All the better if it is a sunny day she will get a tan at the same time,everybody is happy.

aye right bob is that speaking from experience  :whistle: :whistle:

[amblecoble]

Like that last one. Might as well take the washing up too as she could do that in the boat when it's full if water!

[scorgie]

Fill cracks with hard soap or waterpump grease ( or a combination ) this will keep water out and allow wood to swell.  As wood swells this will be squeezed out allowing cracks to close up.
Don't use filler if you can avoid it as it will stop cracks from closing properly.

[Bob Allen]

The old hands in Whitby used to use a substance called blair.  A mix of horse shit and tar!!

[DOGSBODY]

Get a bar o soap or a candle & rub it in the cracks,this stems best part of the water & pushes out as the planks swell, thats how its done here, though the soap HAS to be dove, & the candle has to be scented............

[puddlejumper]

1st post June 2009
If it's not taken up by now might need more than filler