Wooden Boat People

By McKenzieDriftBoat.com

replacing bottom of boat

hi i was wondering if anyone out there could tell me if i take the uhmw off the bottom will i have to replace the bottom? my first wood boat.

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by JAY STRUGNELL on October 24, 2015 at 9:10pm

Not necessarily, several other options available. Epoxy with graphite, sacrificial 1/4" plywood shoe, Coat-It on original bottom.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by marty whipple on October 25, 2015 at 10:12am

OK THANK YOU JAY. THE REASON I'M ASKING IS ON MY LAST DRIFT TRIP THE UHMW STARTED COMING OFF. WHO EVER PUT IT ON DID IN SECTIONS. NOT SURE OF CONDITION ON THE BOTTOM YET. SO GLAD I DON'T HAVE TO REDO THE WHOLE BOTTOM THANKS AGAIN

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on October 25, 2015 at 2:17pm

Upon total removal of the UHMW you may find limited damage or possibly elongated holes from pulled screws. A mixture of epoxy and an appropriate filler based upon which epoxy you are using may be sufficient to repair all damage. As Jay has suggested, there are several methods to replace the UHMW.

Pictures will help us help you.

Rick N

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by alan wernstrum on December 10, 2015 at 4:31pm

My only experience with UHMW proved to me that it will not bond with any adhesive. If you had it pulled from the bottom and have elongated holes you most likely will have rot in your bottom. In a previous post there was one who suggested graphite and epoxy for your "skid plate" and I would second that myself. When you screw your skid plate on it will be subject to elongated holes as well, even if it's 1/4 or 3/8 in. ply and if it was mine I'd spot the screws with epoxy around each screw as a backer to keep the skid plate on and not pull on the screws. I'm only familiar with larger hulls used in saltwater and most use the graphite/epoxy as a barrier from the cutwater back about a 1/3 of the hull for beaching. Kind of a PIA to eventually do over as one has to work on their back but it lasts quite a while and it allows families to get off and have a grilled steak and potato salad picnic. Trust me, even the salt guys have bottom hazards to worry about as well and on much bigger boats which relates to bigger repair costs. Nothing cheap about a boat and its maintenance.