As a boat enthusiast, you might have come across the debate on whether wooden boats need to be stored in the water as opposed to on dry land. The idea is that when wooden boats are kept in the water, their hulls remain saturated with water, which helps to prevent the planks from drying out, shrinking, or cracking. However, this theory is not entirely accurate.
Although it is true that some wooden boats were built to withstand being immersed in water, most wooden boats were not. In fact, wooden boats need to be removed from the water regularly as part of their maintenance routine. Leaving a wooden boat in the water for extended periods of time can lead to serious problems, like rotting or swelling of the wood, which can make the boat unsafe to use. Additionally, pests like termites and marine worms are known to infest wooden boats that are left in the water for too long.
So, if you own a wooden boat, it is recommended that you store it out of the water when you are not using it. However, if you do store it in the water, you will need to take extra precautions to ensure its longevity. For starters, you will need to inspect the hull regularly for signs of damage, like cracks, rot, or delamination. You will also need to ensure that the boat’s bottom is properly coated with anti-fouling paint to prevent the growth of marine organisms like barnacles, which can cause further damage to the hull over time.
In addition to these routine maintenance tasks, you will also need to take extra precautions when launching and retrieving your wooden boat. This is because the stress of being lifted in and out of the water can cause the hull to warp or crack. To avoid this, make sure that the boat is well-supported and that the lifting straps are properly positioned before you begin the launch or retrieval process.
Although it may seem counterintuitive, wooden boats are not built to be kept in the water for extended periods of time. To keep your wooden boat safe and in good condition, it is recommended that you store it out of the water and follow a regular maintenance routine. By doing so, you can rest assured that your wooden boat will last for many years to come.