Fixing Deck Leak on a 120 Year Old Wooden Boat (traditional caulking)

[@GoingTheWholeHogg]

We have to say, we came on Bessie Ellen for the sailing and adventures to new places, but learning about the work that goes into maintaining this old girl has proved fascinating! Caulking involves tapping oakum into the seam between the planks, then waterproofing it with a layer of molten coal pitch. We found the whole process quite satisfying to watch, and hope you enjoy learning about this traditional method of waterproofing a wooden boat too. Cheers! Kim & Del

[@k.s.1871]

The Old Ways are the Best Ways !

[@GoingTheWholeHogg]

Definitely!

[@st-md4hf]

Oh wow. I remembered how three years ago i've been doing the same work, apart the pitch part, on big old wooden house and video provoked such a good feeling suddenly... Thank you for filming it for us and respect for the people saving old things and methods. Actually, i like all your videos, but these vids about old ship life and manteinance so comforting, i just cant keep silence anymore

[@GoingTheWholeHogg]

What an interesting comparison between the method used on both house and boat… really glad this video gave you such a good feeling and thanks for getting in touch to let us know 😃

[@davidbamford4721]

I love using the old kettle to pour the pitch into the seam! That is a stroke of genius! I wish that I had thought of that. Old kettles are easily found in opportunity shops.

[@GoingTheWholeHogg]

It’s a fantastic tool, and it looks great too 😃

[@Lecram066]

I love your boat, she is a beauty! I like these kind of videos. I would like more videos about the maintenance of wooden boats.

[@GoingTheWholeHogg]

Happy to hear it! There will certainly be more to follow 🙂

[@tKishkin]

So excited for the new video! Thank you Kim & Del

[@GoingTheWholeHogg]

Thanks Tim! Hope you enjoy it, we found it so interesting to learn about this traditional craft.

[@tKishkin]

​@@GoingTheWholeHogg Totally enjoyed it! I was amazed how it was possible to to turn one chore into an entertaining 30 min film. Nikki is such an amazing person

[@GoingTheWholeHogg]

She is indeed!

[@schoonermidsummer6995]

Nicely done ❤

[@GoingTheWholeHogg]

Thanks a lot 😃

[@schoonermidsummer6995]

Would you fancy wee wander to Kenya, when you guys slow down for a northern winter ? We could use some of your wisdom to solve some rigging puzzles. I’d love to introduce you to some brilliant people who has help us with deck timber. Perhaps you could benefit from it down the road. Also if you have good hands about who wouldn’t mind some warmer weather and slush on their skin, we could use few good souls. Best Midsummer

[@davidbamford4721]

I would love to make some caulking irons with handles which stick out of the side, to save on the caulker’s hands.

[@GoingTheWholeHogg]

That sounds like a great idea 👍

[@walterbordett2023]

Have you tried holding the caulking iron with a pair of locking pliers? We call them vise grips. I think you may call them mole grips . Gets your hand far away from the striking end of the iron.

[@davidbamford4721]

I wonder which ship she was working on in Australia at the beginning of her career at sea? I totally relate to her difficulty with movement, as I am 84 and have a similar difficulty. Caulking is slow but in its own way, satisfying, as the seam is rendered tight.

[@GoingTheWholeHogg]

It was Anna Rosa Nikki was working on. The boat is now at Douarnenez Port Museum. It was certainly very satisfying for us to watch her in action.

[@grendel1960a]

also why you wet mop the decks every day, to keep the deck planks swelled up and leak free.

[@UguysRnuts]

Using "traditional" blue masking tape.