Building Grace: My First Weld, How is the Hull After Six Years?

Grace is a homemade sailing rowboat of my own design, built from Sapele and 1/4" birch ply.

After six seasons of sailing, not only was it time to refresh the eurathane coat on the hull, but I really wanted to see especially down the centerline whether there were any problems.

On boats like this, the smallest pinhole can quickly expand, and the birch ply is quick to rot.

So, with the help of some friends we got the boat upside down in the shop to see how things had held up, and to refinish the eurathane on the outside of the hull.

Also, at the end of last year the fenders had cracked on the trailer; with the help of some friends this was the excuse to finally try my hand at some welding.

With those projects complete, Grace is ready for the 2024 sailing season!

Part of the series Designing and Building the Sailboat Grace by Doug Rudy