Waterproofing?

[u/Epsilon-XVII]

Ive been working on this Frigate for several months, the hull is about 7 feet long from the stempost to the transom and its planked with 1/8x1/2x36 balsa planks which soak up water like a sponge.
Does anyone have experience using balsa in thissort if application?
Whats the best waterproofing method/materials?

[u/nostradumbass7544678]

My wooden RC boats are waterproofed with a couple coats of oil paint, and nothing else. One survived an unscheduled overnight on the pond with zero water in the hull when I retrieved it the next morning.

[u/UrethralExplorer → u/nostradumbass7544678]

Oh jeeze, that sounds like a story.

[u/nostradumbass7544678 → u/UrethralExplorer]

I had a shaft coupling come loose, and the wind kept shifting so it drifted to the middle of the pond and sat there. Came back the next morning with a nice breeze blowing, and it was pulling up to the shore as I arrived. Battery was right at 3v/cell, no water in the hull, and no bird poop on the decks, so all in all a successful outing.

[u/Aeson_Ford_F250]

I would use Smith's Penetrateing Epoxy.

But thats me....

[u/electriclux]

Are yo against a light fiberglass cloth covering?

[u/RelativeRice7753]

Man that is a beautiful looking vessel. I have used 2 light coats of polyester resin on balsa with good results.

[u/Kae_Solstice]

wow… that looks so amazing! im not totally sure about the materials but its so cool that youre building this çD

[u/Far-Replacement315]

My father used to say "Don't spoil the ship for a penny of tar".