Eastsider update - wood help needed.

[ampersat]

I installed the inside rails and standoffs on the drifter this weekend. With another good weekend to work on it, she'll be mostly ready for the water again. Overall, it went well, mostly.

One of the rails developed a crack as it was being bent. I can't say that bending the wood in 40 degree temps was a good idea but looking at where it cracked, I don't know that doing it in warmer weather would've made any difference. It was just a bad grain in the wood. Thankfully, it's right where a standoff is installed so it's got some support and backing. However, it compromised the varnish and is taking on water.

As I was installing the inner rails I also got a good look at the previously installed outer rails. There are spots where the varnish cracked as the wood was being bent and they've taken on some water too. Not too bad, just some staining. After all, that's why I picked white oak in the first place - rot resistance.

So, the question is, do I try to sand and varnish now, trapping the moisture that's already there but preventing more from soaking in or do I wait for the warm, dry days of summer to do the touch up work? I have no dry storage for the boat. I doubt that putting on my polytarp cover would help much either. That just serves to trap the moisture in the boat and promote mildew.

[Grantspastor]

If you can't keep it dry, I think I'd probably just wait for hot weather and sand it out. I have white oak on my wooden drift boat too, and it is a challenge to keep those dark stain spots from developing.

[snit]

Yep, wait till summer. That's what we always did on our Eastsider. Finally got tired of fussing with the wood and we painted it with a industrial grey epoxy. That sealed her for 15 years.