Lesson 1Fastening options and guidelines: silicon bronze, copper, stainless steel fasteners, roves, clinching, and modern screw systemsOutlines fastening choices for wooden boats like silicon bronze, copper, stainless steel. Covers roves, clinching, screw types, corrosion risks, sizing, fitting methods, and checks for renewal.
Silicon bronze screws and bolts selectionCopper nails, roves, and clinch fasteningStainless steel use and corrosion concernsSizing, pilot holes, and driving methodsFastener inspection and replacement plansLesson 2Adhesives, epoxies, and consolidants: penetrating epoxies, laminating epoxy systems, moisture-tolerant adhesives and limitationsExamines marine glues, epoxies, consolidants for repairs. Discusses penetrating epoxies, laminating systems, moisture-resistant types, prep work, clamping, limits with traditional planking.
Adhesive types used in wooden boat repairPenetrating epoxies for degraded timberLaminating epoxies and thickened mixesMoisture‑tolerant adhesives and primersLimitations with traditional hull designsLesson 3Timber preservation: preservatives, fungicides, and methods for treating new and existing timberExplains timber decay processes and protection via preservatives, fungicides for new and in-use wood. Includes brush, dip, injection methods, safety, eco-rules, inspection for durability.
Identifying fungal and insect timber decayOil‑borne and water‑borne wood preservativesFungicides and biocides for marine timberApplication methods: brush, dip, and injectionSafety, PPE, and environmental complianceLesson 4Selection of timbers: properties and uses of oak, Douglas fir, teak, mahogany, western red cedar, and laminated alternativesReviews boatbuilding timbers like oak, Douglas fir, teak, mahogany, western red cedar, laminated options. Compares strength, rot resistance, ease of work, best uses in frames, planking, spars.
Mechanical and durability properties of oakDouglas fir for spars, decks, and structureTeak and mahogany for trim and plankingWestern red cedar for light plankingLaminated timber and engineered optionsLesson 5Hand and power tools for a small yard: saws, planes, chisels, grinders, grinders with wood discs, routersLists key hand and power tools for small yards, selection, setup, safe use. Stresses precise cutting, shaping, fairing of planks, frames, plus sharpening, storage routines.
Hand saws, planes, and chisels for joineryPortable circular, jig, and track saw useGrinders and wood shaping discs on hullsRouters for rebates, scarfs, and joineryTool maintenance, sharpening, and storageLesson 6Surface coatings and antifouling: primers, varnishes, microporous paints, and UV considerations for deck surfacesDescribes primers, varnishes, microporous paints for hulls, decks, antifouling options. Covers UV effects, layer buildup, adhesion, prep, maintenance for brightwork, working finishes.
Primer types and surface preparation stepsVarnish systems and brightwork schedulesMicroporous and traditional paint systemsAntifouling types and application methodsUV exposure, chalking, and recoating plansLesson 7Specialised marine tools: caulking irons, seam rakes, plank clamps, extraction tools, drift pinsIntroduces specialist tools for wooden boat repair like caulking irons, seam rakes, clamps, extractors, drift pins. Covers handling, maintenance, safe yard storage.
Types and uses of caulking ironsSeam rakes and reefing tools in practicePlank clamps and temporary fasteningsFastener pullers and extraction toolsDrift pins, drivers, and care routinesLesson 8Sealants and caulking materials: traditional cotton/caulking and modern polysulfide, butyl, and polyurethane alternativesCompares traditional cotton, oakum caulking with modern polysulfide, butyl, polyurethane sealants. Explains joint prep, coating compatibility, application, curing, leak fixes.
Cotton and oakum for plank seam caulkingPolysulfide, butyl, and polyurethane sealantsJoint design, backing, and bond linesApplication tools, techniques, and cure timesLeak diagnosis and caulking repairsLesson 9Materials for temporary supports and shoring: cribbing, jack posts, and blocking best practicesDetails materials, methods for temporary supports, cribbing, jack posts, blocking. Focuses on load paths, ground stability, checks, safe access during hauling, shoring, levelling.
Selecting cribbing and blocking materialsLaying out keel blocks and bilge standsUsing jack posts and screw pads safelyMonitoring movement and re‑shoring stepsAccess, ladders, and work‑area safety
