Fibre glassing a wooden boat

by John Lannigan
(Ipswich UK)

I am in the process of buying a 1957 wooden boat which does require some planking renewal above the waterline and less work below the waterline.

My question is concerning the practice of fibre glassing the hull to protect and extend its life.

I've asked this before elsewhere in non wooden boat groups and had a mixed response.

The boat has been out of water for over 3 years and will require re-caulking generally.

I wanted to re-enforce this with a thin layer of fibre glass, but some of the responses I've had tell me this is bad news as it traps the water in.

So which way do I go?