Fitting a new plank on a traditional wooden lapstrake (clinker) built small boat.. Replacing below the water line planks may seem like a daunting task for the amateur. affiliate links the strakes i replaces on mignonne were the first i had ever done on my own, yet now she is back in the water and the wood has 'taken up' she is water tight and sound.. Only have to take out one plank. more than likely you will have to take outt the screws on the top and lower planks. only the screws closest to the plank you are replacing. don't torch the boat unless you really don't have the money or time..
When you replace a plank the first thing you have to do is remove the plank you intend to replace. i start this process by sanding the paint off the old plank to find where all the fasteners that hold the plank to the boat’s frames are located. since tortuga is an old boat (78 years), the planks have been refastened several times.. To replace a boat floor, remove all items on the floor, take out the old floor, and use it to cut plywood for the replacement flooring. coat the new floor pieces with epoxy, and attach them in place.. A boat floor is not meant to have nails in it and doing so weakens the structure. it also creates spaces where water can get deeper into the boat, the floor, and other areas. even a gap as small as a nail head can wreak havoc on an otherwise healthy boat so when replacing flooring, avoid nailing altogether..
