Tag: restoration

Launch day approaches for Mat Gravener’s Norfolk Broads half-decker Jamesia II

Norfolk Broads half-decker Jamesia II Norfolk Broads half-decker Jamesia II Norfolk Broads half-decker Jamesia II

Norfolk Broads half-decker Jamesia II Norfolk Broads half-decker Jamesia II Norfolk Broads half-decker Jamesia II

Norfolk Broads half-decker Jamesia II Norfolk Broads half-decker Jamesia II Norfolk Broads half-decker Jamesia II

 

Joe Farrow has kindly sent in an update of the progress Mat Gravener has made in restoring and repairing the Norfolk Broads half-decker Jamesia II. As usual, click on the photos above for bigger images.

For an earlier post about this boat, click here, and for a post about Mat’s earlier restoration of a Broads sailing cruiser, click here.

I gather Jamesia will be afloat and sailing in a week or two from now, and Joe has promised to take some photos for us.

Here’s Joe’s explanation of each shot, starting from the top left:

  • port side planks epoxy splined – the photo shows them being glued (the impromptu clamps holding them in place are to be removed once glue has set)
  • this plank on the starboard side was constructed of a number of different lengths, and Mat decided in the end to go for one full length piece. This shot shows the plank removed ready for the new plank
  • et voila! One new plank!
  • plank all scarfed together, and fastened in place.
  • the hull filled and faired, and given three coats of undercoat.
  • next to receive attention is the interior; hirers used to sleeping on board under this cuddy
  • Mat re-created the old bench seating using mainly reclaimed mahogany from an old river cruiser
  • he has also added a new locker, and the photo gives a general view of how the lino deck has cleaned up beautifully, and how the insides of the planks have been painted to match
  • finally, the cuddy roof has had three coats of paint – it’s the traditional deck construction of painted canvas over tongue and  groove planking

Many thanks Joe!

 

Joe Farrow asks about a fishing boat restoration at Southwold

Southwold fishing boat restoration photographed by Joe Farrow

Southwold fishing boat restoration photographed by Joe Farrow Southwold fishing boat restoration photographed by Joe Farrow Southwold fishing boat restoration photographed by Joe Farrow

Just when I was thinking we’ve been a little low on restoration projects lately, these photos and their accompanying enquiry arrived from Joe Farrow. They’re from the fascinating little harbour at Southwold, which today seems to me to be just the same as it was when I first visited as a kid with my father, four and a half decades ago.

Here’s what Joe says:

‘Hi Gavin,

‘Long time no speak! Today while walking down the harbour at Southwold I spotted something which I hope will interest you.

‘Basically, it’s an old fishing boat, which I suspect many years ago was a sailing vessel. She came out of the water, looking particularly sorry for herself some time ago now. It appears someone is gradually rebuilding her, in so much that they appear to have grafted in two new planks on the port side, and scarfed in new sections of the frames around the bulwarks.

‘I was fascinated, and wondered if anyone knew anymore about her, and so took lots of photos. If they are of use to you and your blog, please do use them!

‘Cheers, Joe’

With that elegant stern I think Joe may be right. Can anyone help him with the background of this boat please? If so, please email me at gmatkin@gmail.com or use the Comment button below.

For more posts relating to Southwold including the wonderful 19th century gentleman’s yacht Leila, click here.

And finally – if you have a story you’d like to share, do please let me know!

PS – Check the comments link below to read an informative comment on what’s happening with this boat, which turns out to be a bawley (for more posts mentioning bawleys, click here). Also, the photo below is one of the same craft some time ago.

Bawley at Southwold

 

 

 

 

Ian Baird restores a clinker-built Burnham on Sea motor launch

Yoma II Burnham on Sea Motor Boat Company clinker motor launch restoration

Yoma II Burnham on Sea Motor Boat Company clinker motor launch restoration Yoma II Burnham on Sea Motor Boat Company clinker motor launch restoration

Former Boat Building Academy student Ian Baird has begun working on his first professional project since graduating in December 2010.

If his name is familiar, it’s because he built the replica Dorset crab and lobster boat Witch of Weymouth featured in earlier intheboatshed.net articles (hot nailing the timbers, crab and lobster boat in the workshop) during his time at the BBA.

His latest project is a restoration of a 1961 clinker motor launch built by the Burnham on Sea Motor Boat Company. It has been extensively used by the owner’s family who purchased it newly built – however, after 50 years her bottom planks and centreline structure are in need of urgent repair.

When he first saw her, Ian says it was difficult to accurately assess the extent of the damage as she was glass-sheathed on the bottom of the hull and keel. However, the signs were that she was not in good shape.

When the sheathing was removed, she needed an entire new centreline structure, new garboards and three further planks either side and re-timbering throughout, as the old timbers fell out when the planks were removed.

‘I was left with a pair of gunwales and a selection of planks,’ says Ian.

‘The gaping hole and stumps of broken timbers gave her a bit of a “hag’s grin” look, but she’s coming together now nicely. The centreline structure has now been replaced and the garboards are now fixed so we are looking at an April launch.’

The restoration will be covered in full in a forthcoming Watercraft article later in the year.