'61 Penn Yan, flood the bilge?

[autogun]

OK, everyone thinks I finally lost my mind...I just bought wooden boat. It's a '61 Penn Yan possibly a 'Niagara'. Looks like it had a restoration a while back, the registration stickers on the hull are from '99. Seems that I remember someone years ago saying that the bilge of a wooden boat should be flooded periodicallyto keep it tight...My question is, if it hasn't been in the water in over 10 years, should I flood the bilge and let it set for a while, or just put her in and keep an eye on the leaks? I will of course have a new bilge pump before launching. Any advice will be greatly appreciated, Thanks.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: '61 Penn Yan, flood the bilge?

those are great old boats. I thinkI'd ask around in a wooden boat forum or restoration area; you don't want to do it wrong. I'm familiar with swelling smaller boats but I wouldn't risk my advice on that one!

 

[Ned L]

Re: '61 Penn Yan, flood the bilge?

Nice little runabout. Pen Yans are plywood lapstrake, so they will swell up a bit, but not a whole lot when you put her back in the water (will take 3 - 4 days to tighten up). Yes, you can put some water in her bilge to help swell things up before putting her in the water. I'd go with maybe 1" - 2" two to three days before you want to use her. Not much more as that is a lot of weight. You shouldn't really keep water in the bilge long term (weeks - months on end) as fresh water is what will allow decay (rot) to take place.

 

[Jhudds]

Re: '61 Penn Yan, flood the bilge?

Go to www.pennyanbbs.com
search the threads or post about your question.

From my understanding it is not necessary to flood the bilge on PY boats they were constructed in way that did not require this to be done. I believe there is a tread discussing this same issue on the boards there.

 

[Bondo]

Re: '61 Penn Yan, flood the bilge?

View attachment 158547OK, everyone thinks I finally lost my mind...I just bought wooden boat. It's a '61 Penn Yan possibly a 'Niagara'. Looks like it had a restoration a while back, the registration stickers on the hull are from '99. Seems that I remember someone years ago saying that the bilge of a wooden boat should be flooded periodicallyto keep it tight...My question is, if it hasn't been in the water in over 10 years, should I flood the bilge and let it set for a while, or just put her in and keep an eye on the leaks? I will of course have a new bilge pump before launching. Any advice will be greatly appreciated, Thanks.

Ayuh,... If it's good, 'n dry now,... Hit it with val-oil, Before ya soak it in water,...

It'll swell abit, 'n preserve it as well...

 

[JimS123]

Re: '61 Penn Yan, flood the bilge?

I'm a Lyman guy, so my experience with Pen Yans is a bit limited. However, from what I know of that era (the 1960's) most lapstrake boats were assembled with 5200 between the planks, so they are quite watertite as long as there is no dry rot. If there is any issue at all, it would be between the planks and the transom.

My neighbor has a 1952 cedar strip PY that is factory canvas covered and it doesn't leak a drop. Different construction though.

If it were me I'd just dunk her and look for a puddle.....LOL. If you only intend to go out for the day, you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[JimS123]

Re: '61 Penn Yan, flood the bilge?

Ayuh,... If it's good, 'n dry now,... Hit it with val-oil, Before ya soak it in water,...

It'll swell abit, 'n preserve it as well...

Never heard that term. Could you expound a bit?

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: '61 Penn Yan, flood the bilge?

Yes, you lost your mind. BUT - in a very nice way. She looks good. I'm not a wood boat guy, but I sure do appreciate them. Any details about the lady; power, size, more pics? She's gonna be a fun one.