MERLIN ROCKET FORUM

Topic : Drying our water logged wood

I am just starting to get my new merlin sorted out for this season. I have stripped the loose bits of varnish to expose the wet wood on the deck and gunwale. I think it would be a really good idea to get it dry before I try to patch up the varnish. I could be patient, apply gentle heat, blow on the area with a fan or even bag up the whole boat with a dehumidifier. What do normal people do?

David


Posted: 25/01/2010 11:58:18
By: David R
Gentle heat is best IMHO.


Posted: 25/01/2010 12:31:41
By: Midlander
Easy way: turn upside down, and put two 60 watt bulbs (lit!) underneath.


Posted: 25/01/2010 13:13:54
By: ChrisJ
Brett Dingwall told me how to do this is to seal the boat in plastic making it air-tight and put a dehumidiefer inside with a 100watt bulb in the bow tank to raise the temperature a little. He said it's no use heating up the boat, you need to lower the humidity to get the moisture out. I haven't tried this yet but plan to do a test on one of the kids Cadets.


Posted: 25/01/2010 15:46:51
By: Dave
correct about drying; lower the air humidity and the moisture in the wood trys to even it up. Warming will accelerate the process given the same or greater humidity differential. Not too quick though!

I chuck a few buckets of water into mine if it's been drying out in the garage too long otherwise it takes on water through whatever joints have opened up. Seals it up in no time!


Posted: 25/01/2010 16:04:06
By: John
Relative humidity - the warmer the air, the more moisture it will carry - warming the boat / area will surely help?


Posted: 25/01/2010 16:08:51
By: ;)
We used the plastic wrapping method successfully to take a few kgs of water out of a Phantom I was rebuilding at the time. Just make sure to unwrap and turn the sheeting over evry week or so to remove the water that has collected on it.


Posted: 25/01/2010 19:18:59
By: Andy Hay - 3626 Business as Usual

REPLY

To Reply, please join/renew membership.

Owners Association


Developed & Supported by YorkSoft Ltd

Contact

Merlin Rocket Owners Association
Secretary