Pen Yan Hull Leaks

by George Montgomery
(Little Rock AR)

I have a 1955 16' Pen Yan Commander.

I took the hull down to the bare wood, 3 coats primer 3 coats bottom paint.

I've had it three years in which it has not been in water and I suspect it has not been wet for long before I got it.

Long story short, my guy re-did electrical steering and installed motor and controls.

Looks great.

Hull had no obvious problems when it was bare.

Pen Yan boats have a double hull with a layer of something called Striptite between, as I understand it is a rubber or plastic like water barrier.

Launched boat, boat sank.

Well not quiet but water came in at an alarming rate it would have sunk in a matter of hours.

I would soak it to expand wood but with the Striptite layer I'm not certain how that would work.

I am considering firrberglassing the hull

I am considering using a product called Glovit
Any ideas

Yes I know I should have put it in water before I started.

Comments for Pen Yan Hull Leaks

Click here to add your own comments

Jun 20, 2015
 Bite the Bullet
by: Michael

In theory the planks should eventually take up.

The idea of having a waterproof membrane between two layers was so that you didn’t have to keep the boat in the water, she could be trailered, hauled out, launched all without having to wait for the wood to swell.

'Glovit', as far as I know, is just a penetrating epoxy, in other words a thin epoxy that supposedly soaks in to the wood and seals it.

It isn’t going to help you in any way.

A 1955 16' Pen Yan Commander is worth repairing properly.

I suggest that you bite the bullet and remove the outer layer of bottom planks and then replace that flexible waterproof membrane.

Or you can give her the 5200 bottom treatment, replacing the outer planking with plywood.

And while you are at it you can check and if necessary repair or replace any suspect lower chine and lower transom planks, fastenings etc.
Jun 19, 2015
 Leaks
by: cal

Hull wood moves swells shrinks and roots bugs get into it and I can go on.

But do the basic, check stuffing box for grease then through hull fittings.

A friend of mine had been out on his boat for weeks in nice weather but one storm and there were water fulls in his boat.

Like I said its wood hull you must be aware of all man made holes first.

Paint does not keep out water.

A good pump, a good hull survey, witch you can pay for or do the step program hotrodstudie@hotmail.com

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Your Questions and Answers.

Want to add more photos?

Photo Uploader

If you are having problems uploading Photos or would like to add more click on this link for the Upload Form.