Replacing Planking

by Robin Brook
(Norfolk UK)

Hello,
I have recently bought a 20 foot Norfolk Broads yacht as a restoration project.

Probably six or seven planks on either side need replacing for may be up to 8 feet.

Having stripped the paint off, it is clear that over the years, a mixture of mahogany and presumably pine planks have been used.....so what are the pros and cons of using mahogany or pine planking?....anyone any thoughts...

Thanks

Robin

Comments

Mixed Planking
by: Mike

Hi Robin,

It isn’t that common to use a mix of timbers on the planking but it has been done before.

Some boats have been built with one timber below the waterline and another above.

In your case I would suggest that you try to replace like for like.

However, replacing any mahogany could prove to be expensive, Iroko is a reasonable alternitive.

If you are thinking of using a substitute timber, remember that different timbers take up and shrink at different rates.

So, it’s probably best to use one timber type for the full length of a plank, from stem to stern.

Remember also that different timbers weigh differently.

So you need to think about balancing the weight of one hull side with the other.

There is an old boat builder’s adage “Use pine where you can and oak where you must.”

For oak you can substitute mahogany.

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