Worm Shoe???

by Larry

I need to replace the worm shoe on mu cruiser, but what is the purpose of a wormshoe in the first place?

If it is to protect the keel from burrowing worms, then why not use something that worms don't eat on the first place...say a layer of Trex, the plastic deck materieal sold at many lumberyards for outdoor decks and patios?

It won't rot, or split and is completely waterproof.

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Worm Shoe???

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Jun 14, 2012

Shoo away the worms
by: Mike

Hi Larry,

Charles is right, they were initially used when wood was the only suitable material available.

But they were separated from the wood they were designed to protect with a layer of pitch, felt, or any other gunge that the worms couldn’t eat.

And I agree with you, something that those pesky worms wouldn’t eat would be a better solution.

My own boat has a great lump of a cast iron ballast keel running full length, no wood protruding below to get damaged on grounding, so no need for a wormshoe.

The worms are most likely to get into the wood where it is damaged thus exposing end grain.

So anything that will protect the wood from scrapes or scratches will make it harder for them to get in, it won’t stop them but you don’t want to be holding the restaurant door open.

Jun 11, 2012

WORM SHOE
by: CHARLES GATCHELL

THE "WORM SHOE" WAS CREATED WHEN ALL BOATS WERE BUILT OUT OF WOOD.

THERE WERE NO SYNTHETIC PRODUCTS TO SOLVE THE ISSUE.

WHETHER IS REALLY EVER WORKED OR NOT, I DON'T KNOW, BUT MOST WOODEN BOATS SOUTH OF NEW YORK CITY HAD THEM.

IF YOU ARE USING A WOODEN BOAT IN WARMER, WORM INFESTED AREAS, TAKE STEPS TO COMBAT THESE BUGGERS !!!!

HAPPY YACHTING !!!!!

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