[Doug Day]

Richard, Doug Day here. I run the Sweet Chariot Music Festival (for boats) on Swan’s Island, near Brooklin.  I was recently given a 12′ Whitehall.  I was delighted when it proved rowable and didn’t take on water at the dock and rowing it around Rockport harbor.  When I received it (or possibly after my tarp allowed some rain water in and froze) three or four ribs showed almost half-an-inch about mid-ships, Gap, I mean between planks and ribs.
I tried using the Whitehall as a dinghy for VALENCIA, S&S, 40′ sloop, from Rockport to Swan’s Island.  Moderate chop, the Whitehall took on water, about 4″, not threatening, but obviously, I think, coming in from seams.

I’d love to use the boat as a dinghy.  What should I do to “beef up” the seams.  I’m astounded in the construction how light it is and how few fasteners are used from ribs to planks.  The 15′ Whitehall I see in the Wooden Boat Show (nearby, in St. George, ME) seems to have more rivets.  Any advice on understanding the planking and fastening and esp. the lifting of these three or four ribs, I’d be grateful.  Doug Day, Rockport/Swan’s Island. OH, and I should mention: stored now in my unheated by not cold, cement-floored basement, the gaps in the ribs are much less pronounced, almost unnoticeable.  I’m not a stranger to small wooden boats, having maintained a Moriches Bay sloop, PETREL for 40 years, so I know lots of parts move around, depending.  But I wonder if the fix requires re-steaming those four ribs entirely or?

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