Ben Wales has written with news of the progress of his restoration of the 18ft motor launch Mary.
The clinker built little boat was used by the smart Royal Lymington Yacht Club, and was also used in Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of the British Army from Dunkirk.
Ben reminds me that we’ve been following his project for four years now! Good for him – it’s great to see that his persistence is now so close to paying off.
Here’s what Ben says:
‘We had to take down the tent cover over the winter as it almost got destroyed by the storms in December and January.
‘While the main work was on hold we did a test engine line up, as I will need to make a new forward engine mount support bracket.
‘In March we set up the tent cover and began to lay the new solid timber forward deck in pitch pine – the planks are fitted tight and screwed down with A4 stainless screws finished with a dowel.
The deck will be sanded, caulked and varnished, and replaced with bronze deck fittings.
Work has now began on the aft deck; the steering blocks for the steering cables have been fitted and a fuel tank installed – this has to be done before the deck can be laid.
‘I hope to have a progress report later next month for you – and maybe Mary will be ready for a summer launch.
‘Regards, Ben’
Thanks Ben! It would be great to see Mary afloat and glistening with varnish in the coming weeks.