The frame has these inside the hull. They are all loose. Are they supposed to be tight, or are they set to be loose for flexibility?
If supposed to be tight, can I glue with the same stuff I am using to patch the crack? should I bring in a hammer and try and tap the nails?
Just have the one hole left to patch. All the cracks, I can see, are patched. Going to fiberglass the inside soon.
Hi Randy,
The structure is intended to be tight and stiff. Most all of the elements were originally both glued and nailed with a small brad: keel prop (the diagonal element between keel and gun'l), deck carlin (the heavier horizontal element spanning laterally between gun'ls and supporting the longitudinal deck stringer), spreader (the lighter horizontal that doesn't touch the deck stringer), etc.
So the glue has failed and the brads are all that's left. Yes, reglue with epoxy and re-set the brads. It may be not be possible to properly wet-out the joint, but do the best you can. With with glue on the joint wiggle it if you can, to entice the liquid into the crevice. When you're satisfied that glue has entered the joint, then re-set the brad; I find a slip-joint pliers works well. On a recent restoration I did this but also added small fillets (1/8" radius) of thickened epoxy to every joint -- a tedious yet rewarding task.
Before you begin repairing the joints be sure the boat is straight and has no twist; the sheer should be straight and flat.
I'm working on a cedar single right now, too, one that George Pocock built in 1972. Still the original owner! I'm repairing a hole in the hull and a bunch of small cracks, then fresh varnish. I have a tent around the boat that I heat to about 65 degrees; the 45 degree ambient in the shop is just a bit too chilly for glue and varnish. I often think of you working in Fletcher's cold shop.