Wood sealing question..

Ed L.

Ed L.

Well-known member
Supporter
Most of what I've read about wooden boat interiors at least in regards to BBSB is DO NOT epoxy the interior. With that said why and what is the normal sealing/painting process. Do you just use a sealer/primer then coat with duck boat paint?

Thanks,

Ed L.
 
I'm guessing the theory is that the wood can breath and dry out if not sealed on one side.

I encapsulated mine with epoxy and have had no moisture issues that I'm aware of.

Joe Lane
 
Ed, You know that I just finished my rebuild and that it was a first for me. I decided to completely encapsulate my box with Raka epoxy. Every square inch. It was messy and hard to reach a few spots, but I know that any introduced moisture will not be able to delaminate the glass like it was when I bought her. Maybe I was wrong to do so, but it seemed right to me. But, that being said there wasn't a green piece of wood on my box when I did it. I also kept a space heater in, under or around the box whenever possible to dry it out as much as I could. I think it was a good idea to encapsulate, but thats my unprofessional opinion.
Best, Mike
 
Ed, The old time boat builders used a mixture of thinner and linseed oil heated up and painted that on the interior of their boats. This then can be painted over. FME

Even some present day builders

A word of caution. No open flame I have used a old electric fondue heater. If it is a new one don't tell the wife in the interest of harmony. ( ; )

And as long as you are at it do all wooden handled tools. shovels, rakes, axes.

A hundred years from now some young duck hunter will say this is a Ed Lydic boat he was from Ill. on the Miss. river Wow ( :
 
Ed, You are building a new boat and the wood is dry. I would seal it with epoxy. Last year I used 1/2 oz glass cloth and epoxy on the inside. The 1/2 cloth was cheap, wetted out easily and layed up great.
 
On a build I once did I TOTALLY encapsulated the boat inside and out. I completely coated each piece before installing, then went over the whole hull again. The finished 12 footer weighed in at 115 pounds. After two seasons of use I completely cleaned it before putting it away for the winter and weighed it again. The boat now weighed 125 pounds! It had gained 10 pounds.

I don't think that epoxy completely keeps out all moisture. After 10 years of use I did not have any delams in the 1/8" plywood and red cedar used for the build, so it is good glue, but it is my opinion that no matter how good you seal the wood that it will eventually absorb moisture to the level of the average humidity of the environment it is stored in.
Jesse
 
I used Armada Satin Teak on the inside of my BBSB and lapstrake skiff. It is used alot in by Maine wooden boat builders. It is breathable, needs 3 coats the 1st year, and one coat annualy.

http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/browse.cfm/4,17508.html

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The experts say it prevents the "greenhouse effect" that rots wood. The added benefit is that it also lets you see what you spilled lots of blood, sweet, and tears on...

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My mistake. Assumed it was a cedar BBSB. The epoxy will work on plywood but is heavy. I would still consider Armada, paint/thinner mix mentioned above, marine penetrol, or boat sauce(1 cup each of Turp, Tar, and Boiled Linseed, & 1 oz Jap Drier).
 
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