Film of Nick Smith and pals timbering out the steam launch Puffin

Nick Smith and friends timbering out a clinker built hull - in this case for the steam launch Puffin

This piece of YouTube film shows how Nick Smith and his colleagues timber out a clinker built hull using green oak steamed in a steam chest in Nick’s workshop.

It looks like damned hard work to me, but no-one can say the result isn’t worth the effort.

The only other thing I’ll say is that I edited this down from some film Nick sent over – and this will be the last time I’ll use Windows Live Movie Maker. It froze and crashed so many times I couldn’t count them, the only thing that got the software working each time was to go into the task manager and close it down that way. It quite spoiled my day – but hey, now we can all see how the professionals do this kind of thing (timber out a boat, I mean, not edit a YouTube clip!).

Nick comes from Devon, learned boatbuilding the traditional way and specialises in new builds in clinker and carvel for sail, motor and rowing power from 8ft to 28ft with a special emphasis on West Country style and design, and also takes on repairs and refits from 25ft to 50ft. These days he’s based in Hampshire, and can be contacted by email at nick_smith_boatbuilder@yahoo.com and by phone on 07786 693370.

Humber sloop Spider T gets a new riveted panel – and passes inspection

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Riveting Spider T panel

Spider T new plate riveting Spider T new plate riveting Spider T new plate riveting Humber sloop

Mal Nicholson has just had had Humber sloop Spider T in dry dock for two months, during which and colleagues replaced a 14ft plate in her port side using old fashioned riveting techniques.

‘I have had all the special equipment made, produced test pieces and then trained a team of five men to carry out the work,’ he says. ‘The results were first class results and have passed the marine surveyors inspection.’

Well done fellas! Click on the links to see video of the process from inside and from outside Spider T’s hull.

For more posts relating to the Humber sloop Spider T, click here.