Interior lapstrake painting

stefan · Post by **stefan** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 10:27 am

I'm a first time wood boat restorer and am obsessing a tad as my knowledge and experience are minimal. I've taken the interior walls of a '66 Cavalier Dory down to mostly bare wood. The lower boards and entire bilge have been infused with Abatron 2 part liquid epoxy followed by 2 part putty which when hardened can be sanded smooth. Over that I have sprayed Valspar oil sandable primer and then done some more smoothing with (don't laugh) Ready-Patch on the higher boards that won't get to much water exposure. I was planning on spraying another coat of sandable primer before painting the Bilge with a Pratt & Lambert heavy duty floor enamel matched to Classic Boat Connections gray (Chris Craft) color sample and spaying the boat interior walls with a high quality white. The exterior laps will be gloss red with white trim but I would enjoy a little less reflective shine on the interior walls. Anyone have an idea for a good satin sheen product that has good product durability?

Al Benton · Post by **Al Benton** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 4:06 pm

Stefan,
Pettit/Z-Spar and Interlux both make a marine enamel in white simi-gloss that may go well.

I'm not familiar with Dory. Is that a sailboat by chance? I noticed in your profile you are a sailboat enthusiast.

Al

Wood Commander · Post by **Wood Commander** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 11:01 pm

The 22' Cavalier Cutlass' and Dorys were a cool open- type boat. They were lapstrake but are still Cavalier Division boats. I think the Cutlass had a built up helm area with a small cabin forward, or was it the other way around? Anyway, they have great lines and are considered pretty seaworthy boats. They are one of the few plyood constructed boats that I have ever seen where the transom has some bow to it, and that really adds to the looks of the boat. There is actually a boatbuilder out here in Washington building a fiberglass version of these hulls. And I think that late in the game, CC was building them in fiberglass too.

I do cringe at the thought of having the bilge coated in epoxy. Maybe it will work out for you but generally a total covering in epoxy isn't such a good idea. When the wood moves, extremely small cracks develope and water can infuse and can't escape. Maybe I don't totally understand how you did your bilge and that problem will not develope. But when I hear that kind of thing it makes me nervous. was the wood stripped bare before epoxy coating? Were the frames out of the boat when the inner bilge ws coated or does the epoxy just lap up to the frames and cover up and over them too? I would imagine that you have put a lot of work into your boat and don't want to hear talk like that after all of your efforts. Please note that I'm not trying to knock what you did, just trying to put a word of caution out about what can happen in some situations. I hope that all goes well with your endeavor.

stefan · Post by **stefan** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 12:26 pm

Bret: Thanks for the info concerning the bottom of the old Dory. Your words are exactly what had I had thought about. The bottom had been fairly well deteriorated on the inside surface so I really wanted to shore up that surface, make it smooth, etc. I know the flex may cause cracks. I will cover the surface with primer and several coats of oil enamel and keep a close eye on it. I knew the chance I was taking so I am not surprised or upset by your pointing out the risk. This boat has no cabin and actually looks much nicer than the 'Cutless' Cavalier. I'll let you know how it turns out. You'll likely see a few more posts from me as there are a few items I need...transom bands, triangular bow cushion, perhaps a steering cable. Thanks! stefan

tom king · Post by **tom king** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 8:06 pm

I took a couple of pics one year at the Clayton show of a Dory. Actually, kinda fell in lust with this boat. Thought you might like the pics.

Al Benton · Post by **Al Benton** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 9:08 am

Thanks for posting those, Tom. It wouldn't take much to develop a passion, would it? The Dory is a great looking boat indeed. Best of luck to you, Stefan.

Al

Al Benton · Post by **Al Benton** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 3:54 pm

Stefan,

Is Abatron similar to CPES (Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer)? CPES soaks in to the wood before it cures, then remains flexible and won't crack. It serves as a great primer before applying a hard (trailerable) coat on the bottom plywood as well. It would probably work well on yours.

Brett, any comments? The bilge side is pretty well sealed with Abatron. Is it going too far to seal the bottom with CPES now? I'm thinking it won't matter. What do you think?

Tom, is there possibly a third pic in your collection that would show the helm (console) a little clearer?

Al

Interior lapstrake painting

Interior lapstrake painting

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