Now I get to start on the actual boat by removing all the plugs to get to the screws.
This procedure is done by using an ice pick and lots of patience…there’s about 5000 to 6000 screws in a boat.
Typically, I remove all the plugs down one side before I start removing planks.
This is a 26 foot boat and that’s a lot of plugs.
Back when these were built they used a brass screw. About 60% to 75% of them are either broke or break off in removal due to electrolysis from the water. Doesn’t make the task easy.
Here I’m removing the planking all the way down to the waterline. Before I remove the planks, I number them. If I don’t reuse them, I can use them for patterns.
At this point, I start to review the integrity of each board looking for any dry rot damage or splits in the structure on the side.
Just when you get one side all done, yep, you walk to the other side and start all over again. Lots of fun.
Amazing what you have to go through on these boats! Good job, JT!