5 Things We Bet You Don’t Know About Modern Wooden Boats
In a world where we’re surrounded by plastic, steel, and glass—some of it soulless—encountering something that’s finely crafted from wood can be arresting. Take wooden boats.
Something in the human spirit cries out for the boats of yore. Maybe it’s the shining mahogany, teak, and brass of the Gatsby era. Could be the massive caravels of the age of exploration. Perhaps your mind rustles up images of Viking longboats, ancient Roman triremes, or the traditional Chinese dhow. Boats such as these stir something ancient and unforgettable within our spirits.
Many people still possess a healthy interest in wooden boats today. In fact, a number of manufacturers still create these functional works of art. How many of these facts about modern wooden boats are you familiar with?
1. They’re Still Being Built
Wooden boats have been a part of the human experience for nearly as long as we’ve been humans. The oldest recovered boat is called the Pesse canoe, a dugout built out of Scots pine some 10,000 years ago. (It is very likely the original settlers of Australia and other Pacific islanders plied the waters of the Pacific on rafts as much as 50,000 years before that. We don’t, however, have any physical relics that pre-date the Pesse canoe.)
Obviously, the vast majority of boats on the market are built with fiberglass and other glass-reinforced plastic (GRP), resin, and composites. They are faster and easier to build and economies of scale keep prices down. Wooden boat builders are still plying their trade, though. They keep traditions alive while incorporating modern technology.
Judging by the number of companies building wooden boats—standardized models and fully custom commissioned boats—they are still popular.
2. Wooden Boat Builders Use a Variety of Materials and Methods
Oak, mahogany, Douglas fir, and cedar are traditional choices and still frequently the go-to option for boat builders. Why? They are strong, durable and stable. But even when builders use traditional wood, they find innovative ways to mesh tradition with technology. Modern techniques and materials such as plywood and laminated veneer lumber help give modern wooden boats strength ancient boats—even boats from last century—lacked. Plus, they reduce the environmental costs of harvesting lumber.
One example of a modern technique that nicely illustrates the marriage of tradition and cutting-edge methodology is “cold-molded construction.” Once cedar or fir planks are attached to the frame, opposing diagonal veneers of khaya (African mahogany) are laminated into place. Then, the whole thing is sheathed with multiple layers of epoxy. Thus, you get the strength and durability of modern techniques and the beauty of a rich mahogany surface.
3. Wooden Boats Are Surprisingly Durable
You might think that using fiberglass and composite material would be the best way to ensure a boat’s durability and long life. However, properly maintained wooden boats can last a long time and are almost infinitely repairable. Many people in the boating community say that wooden boats can last longer in the water than a fiberglass or composite boat. And they require less time out of the water.
Another surprising aspect of wooden boats’ durability is they have a smaller environmental impact than their fiberglass or GRP counterparts. Wooden boat builders attempt to limit their environmental impact in a few ways:
- They use sustainable harvesting techniques.
- They build boats that last longer.
- They don’t build them out of plastic.
According to some studies, wood is more sustainable than GRP. (None of this is to denigrate the safety of fiberglass boats. NMMA-certified boats are as safe as they’ve ever been.)
4. Wooden Boats Require Regular Maintenance
While wooden boats last a surprisingly long time in the water, you have to put in some work to keep them in top shape. You have to clean, seal, and paint them regularly to stave off rot and decay. And if rot does develop, treating it straightaway is a must.
Another tip wooden boat owners give is to keep your boat dry. This may seem counter-intuitive, as we’ve been speaking about how great these boats are at staying in the water. However, using a good boat cover to keep rain and moisture out when your boat’s not in use can help reduce the chances of rot and other damage. So can cleaning and drying out the bilge every time you use the boat.
5. Wooden Boats Are Timeless
These boats are truly works of art. While fashion may change—fiberglass boat designs are tweaked year after year—very few things beat the deep glow of wood or the simple, trim lines of a finely crafted wooden boat.
But in addition to just appreciating their beauty for the sake of aesthetics, wooden boats are timeless in the sense that their resale value is often much higher than that of their fiberglass cousins.
Conclusions
As long as you take good care of a wooden boat, owning one can be tremendously rewarding. Sailing on board a vessel that taps into the history of boating and feels more connected to tradition—not to mention their sheer beauty—can make wooden boat ownership an unequaled experience.
Kurt Brighton