Modern materials, such as epoxies, are not miracle products and cannot be used with inferior woods. When epoxies are used, workers must apply professional levels of craft and work with them appropriately. If you encapsulate a piece, you cannot then turn around and pierce the encapsulation with a fastener that allows water to enter. Modern materials do not take the place of rigorous on-going maintenance programs. All vessels need continuing maintenance to stay alive.
Provision needs to be made, even with modern materials, for repair and replacement.
It can be very helpful if certain assemblies can be disassembled for non-destructive repair and replacement. Acknowledgements First, my hat is off to Andrew Hendricks, who has remained stalwart in keeping this ship alive and operating in the face of daunting obstacles. Second, I would like to thank Gougeon Brothers, Inc. and especially J.R. Watson and his team of engineers for providing advice and assistance above and beyond the call of duty during this past year. Third, I would like to thank the volunteer crew of the Half Moon , not just for contributing their time and labor, but for providing much creative intellectual energy and enthusiasm and just plain enjoyment on land and sea. Any historic vessels traveling in the lower Hudson will find King Marine to be a most accommodating haven.