Top reasons to own a wooden boat
Miranda Delmar-Morgan reflects on why she has enjoyed owning a wooden boat so much, and a few of the things that might make GRP more appealing
PROS Pros
Wooden yachts are a bit different from most boats in a modern marina. Often, they are unique and so give the owner a real sense of pride in owning them. It is easy to fall in love with a wooden boat, as I did with Polar Bear Naturally warmer than glassfibre and better insulated from heat, cold and noise, wood creates a lovely environment below decks. Wooden boats are often quieter, have less condensation and provide a warm, homely feel, as well as having less glare from white surfaces on deck Second-hand wooden boats tend to be of older designs. They may be slower but often have a nice deep forefoot, making them more seakindly, less prone to slamming, and less likely to make people seasick. Of course, the same is true for traditionally shaped GRP yachts too. In the event of damage, small bumps are easily sanded, filled and repainted. Larger repairs need a degree of skill to complete, perhaps more so than an epoxy repair. Wood is naturally buoyant, though, and will want to stay on the surface if it all goes very wrong The idea of varnishing may put some people off wooden boats. In reality, a few judicious coats here and there during the season, or a more dedicated few days over the winter, is normally more than enough. Unlike gelcoat, paint doesn't get osmosis, can be refreshed as needed, and won’t wear out after excessive polishing There are still plenty of wooden boats around and they often represent extremely good value – you’ll get a lot for your money Traditionally, boats were built with clinker or carvel planking, but cold moulding, plywood and epoxy lamination are all modern alternatives. These are very strong and not prone to leaking. A wooden boat doesn’t have to be damp! The interior of a wooden boat can easily be updated, while a molded GRP interior is less adaptable and often dates a boat
CONS
If fresh water is allowed to remain in the bilges it can cause rot. Similarly, any damage to the surface of the wood needs to be sealed to prevent water ingress. Having said that, any glassfibre boat with a wood or foam core sandwich construction can be susceptible to rot and delamination. Keeping the boat ventilated and dry is important to protect the wood Timber boats are labour-intensive and costly to build. They need diligence for maintenance and higher skill level is required for carrying out repairs. Single-pack paint is less robust than gelcoat, though much easier to touch up