Preview: Caulking a Wooden Boat Part 1, Tools and Basics
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May 3, 2013
Email this Video to a FriendGeno Scalzo is a master caulker out of Owls Head, Maine. He has over 30 years experience caulking wooden boats, and he’s taken the time to help us demystify the process and purpose of caulking properly. Here in the first video of the series, we are with Geno as he works on caulking the deck of the Jacob Pike, a very impressive 83′ sardine carrier that is undergoing some repair. Chances are that your boat is smaller than the Jacob Pike, and so it’s important to adjust the technique and force you use with your own caulking endeavor. Stay tuned for more from this series and enjoy!
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6 Responses So Far to “Caulking a Wooden Boat Part 1, Tools and Basics”
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Daniel Gonneau says:
Watched all four videos, excellent…
Joe Berini says:
Thanks Geno. I have a Grand Banks woodie that needs recaulking. This first video is great! Looking forward to more.
Jerry Rose says:
Many years ago I worked as a caulker on the aging fishing fleet of Gloucester Mass. Many of the vessels I worked on were old banks schooner converted to stern draggers and were planked with 3 inch oak planking. There were many cases where we used oakum instead of cotton because of the large seam that was created by many re-caulking jobs. Perhaps Geno could address the use of oakum in planking? I’m not even sure it can be purchased these days and I wonder if cotton could be used on large seams in big wooden boats?
Erik Sayce says:
Hi Jerry,
Thanks for the question, we have a lot of info on oakum coming your way in the next videos in the series. Oakum is still used today and is available from Jamestown Distributors. I bought some a few years back not knowing what a “large seam” was and quickly figured out that I hadn’t a use for it on my small plank on frame boat. Stay tuned!
David Tew says:
I hesitate to mention it but I do wonder if the inexperienced crew members of Bounty had even this much knowledge of caulking basics when they caulked the hull in her last yard period.
Doug Crews says:
Thank you and especially Geno for this rare look into true craftsmanship. Looking forward to the rest of this series.