Why didn’t the wood rot or eventually absorb water and allow water to enter the boat?
In: 9
A few reasons.
First, wood is not the only product that comes from trees. Pines and evergreens also produce waterproofing agents like tar, pitch and turpentine. These are excellent at acting as water-repellent glue. When you pound fibres such as those from coconut husks or shredded cedar bark into the gaps between wooden planks and then add this, it’s a very strong seal that takes a tremendous amount of stress to break.
Second, wood is not really absorbent of water until it’s been exposed to it for a very long time, or bugs or fungi get at it. It takes a while for properly dried wood to become “waterlogged” and heavier than the surrounding water so that it sinks. So if you ‘season’ your wood by air-drying it prior to using it to form your vessel, it’s naturally waterproof for some time.
Third, there’s maintenance. Got a timber that looks like it’s starting to rot? Replace it. If below the water line and holding the water out, beach your craft so it’s not going to let in water while you tear it out.
Later on in marine history, there’s paint, which is excellent at protecting wood from direct exposure to water until it eventually flakes off.
Latest Answers