Restoration of the Croatian Traditional Wooden Boat "Gajeta"

Challenges

At the very beginning, we faced the challenge of creating a detailed restoration plan. The visible damages were just the tip of the iceberg, and the true extent of the damage became clear only after we removed the exterior planking and the main deck. This meant that neither the final budget nor the restoration deadlines could be precisely determined in advance.

Finding Materials and Craftsmen

The next major challenge was finding quality wood to replace the worn and damaged parts of the boat. Given that wooden shipbuilding in our area has been almost completely neglected, it was exceptionally difficult to find craftsmen capable of carrying out the planned works without altering the original form of the gajeta.

Restoration Planning

It was critical to carefully plan the order of replacing structural elements to prevent the hull from collapsing. This delicate task required a high level of precision and attention to detail.

Technologies Used

Throughout the restoration, we utilized modern gluing and laminating technologies. The application of these technologies required additional education and adaptation to the latest trends in wooden shipbuilding. The process identified “weak points” in the ship’s structure, which were then enhanced and reinforced with adequate design solutions and modern wood joining technology. Every piece of wood was thoroughly inspected and adequately impregnated before installation, which required daily involvement in the project and careful planning of every step.