Wooden Boat Fittings JournalHardware, craft, and upkeep for timber boats
Field guide for timber boats

Make every fitting earn its place

Clear, practical articles on choosing, installing, and maintaining hardware for wooden hulls and classic rigs.

Start readingTools, terminology, and decision-making you can use in the workshop and on the water.
Browse topicsFittingsMaintenanceMaterialsShop Notes

Latest from Wooden Boat Fittings Journal

New stories across Fittings, Maintenance, Materials.

Materials2026-09-21

Guidelines for Painting Wooden Boats

Master the art of painting wooden boats. Improve aesthetics and protection with effective techniques and materials.

Hannah Mercer6 min

Editorial pillars

Three tracks that keep posts useful, searchable, and consistent.

Decision guides

Choose the right fitting

Sizing, loads, placement, and what to avoid on timber.

Fast, defensible picks
Learn more
Workshop methods

Install it to last

Bedding, backing, sealing, and preventing fastener failure.

Fewer leaks and loosening
Learn more
Seasonal upkeep

Maintain and troubleshoot

Inspection routines, galvanic risks, and repair-first fixes.

Longer service intervals
Learn more

This site focuses on the small parts that decide whether a wooden boat feels trustworthy: fasteners, cleats, blocks, hinges, latches, and the ways they meet timber over time.

What we cover

Selection guides for common fittings, compatibility notes for different timbers, and realistic advice on corrosion, movement, bedding compounds, and load paths.

How we write

Plain language, measured recommendations, and repeatable checks. We prioritize longevity, serviceability, and repairs you can do without specialized equipment.

Who it’s for

Owners, restorers, and builders working on dinghies, launches, and small yachts who want fewer surprises and better results from everyday hardware choices.

Notes from the bench

Monthly takeaways: one fitting deep-dive, one maintenance checklist, and one material note.

No noise, no hype, just practical guidance you can use.
“On a wooden boat, hardware isn’t just hardware. It’s the interface between movement, water, and time. Get that interface right and everything else gets easier.”
Hannah MercerEditor
Materials2026-09-21

Guidelines for Painting Wooden Boats

Master the art of painting wooden boats. Improve aesthetics and protection with effective techniques and materials.

Hannah Mercer6 min
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