My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/ It's not about the money but living isn't free... Here are some ways you can support this channel. Buy some merch: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com/shop/ Support these videos with monthly or annual pledges at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding Or make a one time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nomadboatbuilding

Learn how to extend a wooden spar using a proper 20:1 scarf joint and West System 105/205 epoxy. In this step-by-step boatbuilding and woodworking tutorial, Mark from Nomad Boatbuilding shows how to laminate, prep, clamp, and glue a long structural scarf for a mast, yard, or boom extension. Perfect for wooden boat repair, spar restoration, or anyone wanting cleaner, stronger epoxy joints. Get West System products here: https://www.westsystem.com/ My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Here are some ways you can support this channel. Buy some merch: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com/shop/ Support these videos with monthly or annual pledges at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding Or make a one time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nomadboatbuilding 00:00 – Intro & Project Overview Mark introduces the spar extension project and explains why this small job offers a valuable woodworking lesson. 00:37 – Why This Spar Needs Extending Discussion of the customer’s boat, new sails, and the need for a longer yard. 01:07 – Scarf Ratios Explained (12:1 vs 20:1 for Spars) Why spars need a longer 20:1 scarf for strength. 01:54 – Examining the Original Spar Construction Laminations, voids, and why a solid extension piece is acceptable. 02:33 – Choosing and Preparing Stock for the Extension Selecting Douglas fir, adjusting thickness, and prepping veneer strips. 03:40 – Cutting a 12:1 Scarf on the Veneer Strips Scarfing veneers to increase thickness as needed. 04:20 – Surface Prep Before Epoxy Sanding, marking orientation, and preparing pieces for glue-up. 05:02 – Mixing West System 105/205 Epoxy How much epoxy is needed and Mark’s “1 pump per square foot” method. 06:25 – Proper Epoxy Mixing Technique Mixing times, pump priming, and avoiding bad ratios. 07:30 – Wetting Out Porous Douglas Fir Why you pre-coat both surfaces and allow time for absorption. 08:55 – Letting Epoxy Soak & Preventing Glue Starvation Managing resin absorption in tight-grained Douglas fir. 09:45 – Veneer Glue-Up & Clamping Strategy Using the bench as a caul, managing squeeze-out, and clamp spacing. 11:40 – Tips for Controlling Slippery Epoxy Laminations Clamp pressure, avoiding shifts, and selecting proper clamps. 12:40 – Cleaning Up Epoxy Squeeze-Out Table saw trick using a temporary fence to remove cured excess. 13:28 – Building a 20:1 Scarfing Sled Constructing a simple, accurate sled for long tapers on a tablesaw. 15:42 – Dialing in Scarf Accuracy Shimming, recutting, and using sharp blades for clean results. 16:55 – Cutting the 20:1 Scarf on the Extension Piece Using the sled for a consistent feather edge. 17:40 – Preparing for Final Spar Glue-Up Aligning the new stock, marking ends, and ensuring proper overhang. 18:55 – Wetting Out the Joint (Two-Part Bonding) Applying unthickened epoxy and allowing it to tack. 20:10 – Thickening Epoxy with Colloidal Silica Creating a structural glue mixture with the right consistency. 21:00 – Applying Epoxy & Final Glue Spread Using a toothed spreader to ensure full contact and no trapped air. 21:48 – Setting the Joint & Preventing Slippage Anchoring ends, sighting alignment, and using cauls properly. 23:10 – Clamp-Up & Evaluating Squeeze-Out Ensuring a full bond without starving the joint. 24:20 – Epoxy Cleanup & Curing Advice Wiping excess, avoiding disturbing the glue line, and cure times. 25:50 – Choosing the Right Hardener (205, 206, 207, 209) Temperature considerations and Mark’s preferred setups. 27:02 – Why Repair Instead of Building a New Spar? Cost, materials, labor efficiency, and customer expectations. 28:40 – Alternatives to Long Scarfs (Bird’s Mouth & Finger Joints) How to shorten scarf length without reducing structural ratio. 30:10 – When to Use a Nib Scarf Why nibs work on rub rails but not spars. 31:00 – Final Results & Finished Scarf Inspecting the feather edge and the clean glue line. 31:40 – Closing Thoughts & Tips Recap of the method, benefits of simple jigs, and using quality epoxy.

My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/ It's not about the money but living isn't free... Here are some ways you can support this channel. Buy some merch: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com/shop/ Support these videos with monthly or annual pledges at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding Or make a one time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nomadboatbuilding

My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/ It's not about the money but living isn't free... Here are some ways you can support this channel. Buy some merch: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com/shop/ Support these videos with monthly or annual pledges at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding Or make a one time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nomadboatbuilding

Join Mark from Nomad Boatbuilding on a journey to the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, Denmark — a world-class center for maritime archaeology and traditional shipbuilding. In this video, Mark explores the museum’s five original 11th-century Viking ships, unearthed from Skuldelev Fjord, and dives into the fascinating world of experimental archaeology — where modern craftsmen use Viking-era tools and methods to rediscover lost boatbuilding skills. Meet Søren Nielsen, one of the museum’s expert shipwrights, as he demonstrates the art of shaping oak timbers with a Viking bearded axe and shares insights into the challenges and philosophies behind traditional wooden boat construction. Along the way, Mark reflects on the enduring beauty of simple, functional design and the living legacy of maritime craft preserved at Roskilde. My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/ It's not about the money but living isn't free... Here are some ways you can support this channel. Buy some merch: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com/shop/ Support these videos with monthly or annual pledges at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding Or make a one time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nomadboatbuilding

Howdy folks — Mark here from Nomad Boatbuilding! Today I’m tackling one of the hardest jobs in wooden boatbuilding: fiberglassing a glued-lapstrake hull. Using WEST SYSTEM epoxy, fiberglass tape, and peel ply, I test a new approach to strengthen the bottom of a lapstrake boat destined for rocky beaches and mooring wear. You’ll see how I: Apply fiberglass tape plank by plank Use peel ply for a smoother, faster finish Mix, roll, and trim epoxy cleanly Learn a few lessons along the way (including a late-night mistake!) It’s all about problem-solving and experimenting to make traditional boatbuilding stronger and more efficient. ⚓ Like, Subscribe & Comment if you enjoy wooden boats and epoxy work! #Boatbuilding #Lapstrake #WoodenBoats #Epoxy #Fiberglass #NomadBoatbuilding #WestSystem #MaritimeCraftsmanship #DIYBoatbuilding

Howdy folks — Mark here from Nomad Boatbuilding. Wooden boatbuilders are often called craftsmen, artists, or engineers — but most days, I feel more like a problem solver. In this video, I tackle a tricky challenge: fiberglassing a glued-lapstrake wooden hull using WEST SYSTEM epoxy products. Lapstrake planking has deep ridges and overlaps that make traditional fiberglassing nearly impossible. My solution? Applying fiberglass tape to each plank individually and finishing it with peel ply (release fabric) to speed up the process and improve the finish. Along the way, I share: ⚓ How to use WEST SYSTEM 105 Resin and 207 Hardener for glassing ⚓ Why fiberglass tape beats cloth for lapstrake hulls ⚓ The benefits of peel ply for smooth, sand-ready finishes ⚓ Tips for mixing, applying, and trimming epoxy cleanly ⚓ Lessons learned the hard way (like forgetting to trim before full cure 😅) This method made the job faster, cleaner, and more durable — perfect for boats that live on a mooring or get hauled up on rocky beaches. If you enjoy traditional boatbuilding, epoxy work, and creative problem-solving in the shop, you’ll love this one. 💡 WEST SYSTEM Epoxy Resources 👉https://www.westsystem.com/ for manuals, selection guides, and tech support. ⚙️ SUPPORT THE CHANNEL 👍 Like • 💬 Comment • 🔔 Subscribe • 💙 Join me on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding #Boatbuilding #WoodenBoats #Fiberglassing #Lapstrake #Epoxy #WestSystem #NomadBoatbuilding #BoatRestoration #Woodworking #Sailing #MaritimeCraftsmanship #DIYBoatbuilding

Howdy folks — Mark here from Nomad Boatbuilding! In today’s video, I’m in Copenhagen, Denmark, spending the day inside the last and only traditional sailmaking workshop still operating in the city — A. Hansen Sailmakers, founded back in 1934. Join me as I meet Frida, one of Denmark’s few remaining traditional sailmakers, who graciously lets me step behind the sewing machine to help craft a new square-rigged sail for a tall ship. Together we talk about: The 91-year history of this tiny yet legendary workshop The craft of hand-sewn sails and the tools that make it possible Working with Duradon sailcloth, traditional ropes, and vintage machines The challenges of handling massive sails in a workshop the size of a small kitchen Preserving maritime craftsmanship in the modern age This visit is a rare glimpse into a vanishing world of handmade sails, ropework, and Danish maritime heritage — all kept alive by passion, skill, and tradition. If you love traditional boatbuilding, wooden boats, or old-world crafts, you’ll love this one. ⚓️ Watch till the end to see how I (sort of) manage to sew a straight line on Freda’s machine without making a mess of her sail! 💡 SUPPORT THE CHANNEL If you’d like to support the work I do and help keep these craft traditions alive, you can: 👉 Give this video a thumbs up 👍 👉 Subscribe to the channel & turn on notifications 🔔 👉 Join me over on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding 👉 Or send a Super Thanks under the video! 🧵 CHAPTERS 0:00 Introduction — Visiting Copenhagen’s last sailmaker 1:10 Inside the Selma Hensen sail loft 3:45 Sewing a 6x12m square sail 7:00 Talking tools, canvas, and stitching 12:40 Ropework and the “crown cringle” 18:00 Traditional materials — flax, synthetic rope, and beeswax 24:30 Trying my hand at sail sewing 30:00 Reflections on preserving maritime craft ⚓️ HASHTAGS #Boatbuilding #Sailmaking #TraditionalCraftsmanship #MaritimeHeritage #Copenhagen #Denmark #WoodenBoats #Sailing #Craftsmanship #NomadBoatbuilding #Handmade #Sailmaker #TallShip #TraditionalSkills #SailingCulture My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/

Here’s a fun little Colin Archer pilot boat scaled down to day sailor size. This boat belongs to my good friend in Denmark, Mikkel Pagh of @SmallBoatSchool My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/ It's not about the money but living isn't free... Buy some merch: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com/shop/ Support these videos with monthly or annual pledges at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding Or make a one time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nomadboatbuilding

Join boatbuilder Mark Reuten at Nomad Boatbuilding as we take on one of the trickiest repairs for a traditional lapstrake dinghy: replacing and scarfing in a fractured garboard plank. This video is the third of a three-part series focused on bringing this traditional dinghy back to life. Watch the other videos here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnOoJJKdbR4Lk9QaAMWkjBHCzF1Nto2Um&si=m72QgA4loWVJxsnS In this episode, you’ll see the full process: Steam bending new planking into shape Creating a long scarf joint for a seamless repair Using WEST SYSTEM Epoxy to secure and fair the plank Tips for fitting, beveling, clamping, and avoiding common mistakes This small acorn dinghy, originally built at the Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre in British Columbia, had extensive damage on both garboard planks. On the port side, we installed a Dutchman to fix a crack; on the starboard side, we replaced nearly three-quarters of the plank. Whether you’re interested in traditional wooden boat repair, lapstrake construction, or just love watching hands-on craftsmanship, this video shows practical techniques, lessons learned, and honest challenges faced during the repair. 👉 If you enjoy these projects and want to support the channel, consider joining me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding 👉 Learn more about WEST SYSTEM Epoxy here: https://www.westsystem.com Thanks for watching, and stay tuned for more wooden boatbuilding tutorials! #Boatbuilding #WoodenBoatRepair #Lapstrake #DinghyRepair #NomadBoatbuilding #Woodworking #SteamBending #EpoxyRepair #TraditionalBoatbuilding #WestSystemEpoxy My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/ Buy some merch: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com/shop/ You can also support these videos with a one time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nomadboatbuilding

This is Part 2 of a short series on repairing a small dinghy built at the Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre in BC Canada. You can see the first part of this repair here: Small Boat, Big Problem - Part 1- Repair a badly damaged lapstrake garboard plank https://youtu.be/xqqeUy3os74 We also did a different type of repair to the other side which you can see here: Repairing cracks in lapstrake planks with West System Epoxy https://youtu.be/jCRSG5LSsZg You can see other examples of our work on our website: Http:/www.nomadboatbuilding.com Buy some merch: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com/shop/ Support these videos with monthly or annual pledges at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding Or make a one time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nomadboatbuilding

In this episode, I’m tackling a repair on an Acorn dinghy built at the Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre. Like many traditional lapstrake boats, this one developed cracks in the planking after sitting in dry storage. Using a mix of traditional repair techniques and West System epoxy, I’ll show you how to deal with cracked or checked planks without having to replace entire strakes. Whether you’re restoring a dinghy, skiff, or any traditionally-built wooden boat, these techniques will help you confidently approach plank crack repairs. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:28 Assess the damage 03:20 Plan the repair 05:19 Plan-A. Make a pattern 11:33 Routing for the shiplap joint 19:45 Plan-B 25:09 outro My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/ It's not about the money but living isn't free... Here are some ways you can support this channel. Buy some merch: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com/shop/ Support these videos with monthly or annual pledges at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding Or make a one time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nomadboatbuilding

Course registration: http:/www.smallboatschool.com

🔧 Repairing Cracked Lapstrake Planks with Epoxy | Traditional Wooden Boat Repair In this episode of Nomad Boatbuilding, Mark Reuten tackles cracks in a traditionally-built Acorn dinghy using time-tested techniques paired with West System epoxy. This classic wooden boat, once built at the Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre, suffered sun damage during dry storage—leading to several split and cracked lapstrake planks. Mark walks through a careful repair using Dutchmen (splines), epoxy filling, and heat-assisted saturation for tight hairline cracks. With a blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern epoxy methods, this is an excellent deep dive into wooden boat repair for anyone restoring or maintaining traditional planked hulls. ▶️ In this video, you’ll learn: When and how to use splines to reinforce cracked planks How to flood-checks with unthickened epoxy Tips for using heat to thin epoxy without weakening it How to stop cracks from spreading When to choose spline vs. fill-and-seal techniques Smart clamping and jigging techniques for awkward repairs Why grain orientation and end-grain saturation matter This video is the first of a two-part series focused on bringing this traditional dinghy back to life. Stay tuned for Part 2! 🎥 Watch more videos on traditional boatbuilding: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnOoJJKdbR4Lk9QaAMWkjBHCzF1Nto2Um&si=g1004uIALSvgEzpV 🛠 Sponsored by: https://www.westsystem.com My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/ It's not about the money but living isn't free... Here are some ways you can support this channel. Buy some merch: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com/shop/ Support these videos with monthly or annual pledges at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding Or make a one time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nomadboatbuilding Chapters: 00:00 Intro 02:06 Roll the hull and plan the repair 06:46 Making the router template 08:36 Using the router template 10:00 Double sided tape tip 13:44 Cutting the dutchman slot 14:21 Inspect the progress 18:18 Make and fit the dutchman 20:07 Marking the length with a masking tape trick 23:59 Gluing the Dutchman 35:10 Fairing the dutchman 39:35 Outro #WoodenBoatRepair #Lapstrake #WestSystemEpoxy #TraditionalBoatbuilding #EpoxyRepair #BoatRestoration #NomadBoatbuilding #AcornDinghy #WoodworkingTips #SplineRepair #DutchmanFix #BoatRepairSeries #CedarBoat #HeatGunEpoxy #LapstrakeRepair #CowichanBay #EpoxyHowTo #MaritimeRestoration #WoodenDinghy #DIYBoatRepair

My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/ It's not about the money but living isn't free... Here are some ways you can support this channel. Buy some merch: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com/shop/ Support these videos with monthly or annual pledges at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding Or make a one time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nomadboatbuilding

My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/ It's not about the money but living isn't free... Here are some ways you can support this channel. Buy some merch: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com/shop/ Support these videos with monthly or annual pledges at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding Or make a one time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nomadboatbuilding

0My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/ It's not about the money but living isn't free... Here are some ways you can support this channe

In this second part of our keel repair series, I’m fixing a mistake I made on a small wooden boat I built about a year ago. The keel—originally glued on with West System 105/205 epoxy—started to fail under constant submersion, and now it’s time to do it right. In this video, I share the full repair process, lessons learned from the failure, and demonstrate how to use G/flex epoxy, West System 105/205, and mechanical fasteners to reinstall the keel—this time with confidence. Whether you're working with Purpleheart, sepili mahogany, or any oily hardwood, this episode is packed with real-world epoxy bonding tips and hard-earned wisdom. 📌 What you’ll learn: * Why the original epoxy bond failed * The difference between G/flex and 105/205 systems * Why oily woods like Purpleheart need special treatment * How to prepare wood surfaces for optimal epoxy adhesion * Scarf joint improvements, clamping pressure advice, and fastener strategies * Mixing epoxy by weight vs. volume—and why it matters * Pro cleaning/prep techniques (including what rags not to use!) ▶️ If you missed Part 1 where I removed the keel without damaging the hull, watch it here: https://youtu.be/YO1L_EdIe3k 🛠️ This episode is sponsored by West System Epoxies. Huge thanks to their tech team for their help and for making rock-solid adhesives that boatbuilders can count on. West System Epoxy Info – https://www.westsystem.com/ 👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell if you're learning from these builds. Your support keeps this channel afloat. 🔗 Relevant Links: Part 1 of This Repair – https://youtu.be/YO1L_EdIe3k Scarf Joint Tutorial – https://youtu.be/Cp8oihaWwnY My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/ It's not about the money but living isn't free... Here are some ways you can support this channel. Buy some merch: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com/shop/ Support these videos with monthly or annual pledges at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding Or make a one time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nomadboatbuilding

My website: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadboatbuilding/ It's not about the money but living isn't free... Here are some ways you can support this channel. Buy some merch: https://www.nomadboatbuilding.com/shop/ Support these videos with monthly or annual pledges at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadboatbuilding Or make a one time donation: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nomadboatbuilding