I've owned an old classic woodie, maintained another for years and repaired quite a few.
I agree with most of what the other's have said above.
I disagree that wood won't rot below the waterline in salt water. Simply not true. The wood will fail faster and more often from fresh water. But it does rot in salt water.
I also caution against Grand Banks woodies and Chris Craft woodies. In my opinion and after having worked on quite a few they are lightly built and not well built. ..................
I know this is an old post but I just have to say I think this may be the first time I have read someone saying the Grand Banks are not well built.
An interesting and timely resurrection of an old thread. Thanks mp.mplangley; said:I know this is an old post but ....
I've owned an old classic woodie, maintained another for years and repaired quite a few.
I agree with most of what the other's have said above.
I disagree that wood won't rot below the waterline in salt water. Simply not true. The wood will fail faster and more often from fresh water. But it does rot in salt water.
I also caution against Grand Banks woodies and Chris Craft woodies. In my opinion and after having worked on quite a few they are lightly built and not well built. Escpecially the Chris Crafts. Sure the joinery is beautiful, I'm talking about planking and framing. If you want a woodie take your time and learn the local boat building history. Lean which yards had a rep for good boat. Not just beautiful joinery, good solid, long lasting construction. The bones of the boat. Search out boats built by those yards, carvel planked, bronze fastened. Planks and frames as heavy as you can find. They're rare but they're out there.
In general avoid old wooden work boat conversions. They've mostly been "rode hard and put away wet".
As mentioned get a good wooden boat surveyor. A suggestion is find a good local well respected wood boat shipwright. There are very few left, and hire him to take a look and tell you what repairs the boat needs. Do not use the word survey, he'll run and hide. In a very short amount of time, far cheaper than a survey, you will know if the boat is worth surveying.
Unless you are fabulously wealthy bringing an old woodie back to life is a bank account killer. I learned that lesson personally the hard way.
If the boat is right for you and you are the right kind of boat owner there is nothing better than wood. Nothing. They have a beauty that fiberglass with wood joinery will never equal.
One final comment. If you want a varnished classic in all glorious beauty be prepared to spend a lot of time and money on the brightwork. It it's worth to you, then go ahead. I prefer painted finishes, easier to touch up and keep up.
I have had my GB woody coming up on two years from a PO that had her 40 years. Jerry Land
GB Alaskan 46 Hull #28 Jim & Linda
I was in Aubury's shop behind the store few years ago when he was framing one up . We have some friends that live in Treasure Cay . They know him so they talked him in to letting me in the shop . He said very little and I was asking a bunch a questions , you know because I am a half ass carpenter . I guess I asked one to many questions about the build and he never said another word .I knew it was time to leave . Very cool place that Man O' War Cay . I think his dinghies are around 12k . Beautiful boats .Joe Albury, Man O'War Cay, Abaco.
"Boat's for sale, when I roll it out onto the beach."
"Can I order one?"
"Nope, orders mean pressure."
Joe Albury, Man O'War Cay, Abaco.
"Boat's for sale, when I roll it out onto the beach."
"Can I order one?"
"Nope, orders mean pressure."
A man of few words indeed. Only reason he let me take his picture is because I told him I hand heard of him all the way on the west coast of Canada.He said very little....
The boat or the woman?I think I screwed up big time. That one was a keeper.
I had told Dave Gale at Island Marine I wanted to see an Albury sailing dinghy. He told me where to go but said I likely wouldn't get close. I did.Thanks. Sent this to a friend whose family has had a house on Man O'War for years.