In the absence of anything to report in respect of actual progress this week, I thought that I would spend a little time looking at the various stripping methods that we have employed and how they worked.
First, lets talk about the topsides of the yacht.
Nitromos
The lazy mans approach and pretty useless. Touched the top coat of paint but that was about it. Messy and horrible to use, I can't say that I would recommend it. It's OK for varnish in my experience but lousy in this application.
Heat Gun & Scraper
Heat gun was definitely the way to go. The key seem to be the type of scraper to use. Overall the winner for met at least had to be the two handed type of scraper. I found that by heating patches approximately 10cm in length along the planks, I could make fairly quick progress. I would estimate around two days overall to do a fair job of removing topside paints.
Not so easy the anti fouling. Bren and I took different approaches and I favour Brenden's way. His approach appeared to basically centre around using a hammer and chisel and steadily chipping away by cutting into the anti foul approximately 1cm or so behind the edge line. Mixed with a few other hammer and chisel methods, he seemed to get marginally faster results.
I took the awful method which was to use a heat gun and one of the single handed flexible scrapers. The smell of burning anti foul is dreadful and it really needs a very good mask to do it. I found the method fairly slow.
Whilst Bren's method gets it off fairly fast, it doesn't leave the overall finish quite as good as the heat gun method although, a bit of time with the sander will quickly even things out.
Tried both a fairly powerful belt and mini-mouse/detail type sander. Unless you are very skilled with the belt sander as a tool I would say it is perhaps a bit vicious. The mini mouse is certainly less productive but does produce a reliable and decent quality of finish.
Sunday, 5 October 2008
Saturday, 4 October 2008
Slow Restoration Progress this week!
Unfortunately, we haven't got very far this week, various distractions mean that both of us haven't found any time to work on Z28.
As I have the kids this weekend and with the cold northerly blowing, I doubt I can keep them amused at the boatyard for too long either!
Thoughts do turn to the rudder. Z28's has seen better days with splits around fitting points. What can also be observed is that the existing rudder is warped a little. Z17 does have a good looking rudder on it... Will have to ask the class! Otherwise, not too difficult a job to build one.
As stripping progress carries on, I have noticed quite a big split in one of the port-side below waterline planks. Is this serious.. Will have to await Ken the Restorer's visit for his opinion. Again, this looks like damaged caused by water getting in between an epoxy finish and the wood itself. Perhaps some lessons to be garnered here in respect of the use of epoxy!
On the interior of Z28, I have noticed that there appears to be a slight split (around 4 inches) in one of the frames (starboard / forward). We haven't removed any of the paint yet so cannot tell how serious it may be (optimistically, it may only be paint splitting). When I get back to the boat, this will be one of the first jobs, to investigate what we are looking at here.
A local fisherman will be lending me a 'prop puller' next week to attempt to get the tiller fixing off the rudder shaft.
As I have the kids this weekend and with the cold northerly blowing, I doubt I can keep them amused at the boatyard for too long either!
Thoughts do turn to the rudder. Z28's has seen better days with splits around fitting points. What can also be observed is that the existing rudder is warped a little. Z17 does have a good looking rudder on it... Will have to ask the class! Otherwise, not too difficult a job to build one.
As stripping progress carries on, I have noticed quite a big split in one of the port-side below waterline planks. Is this serious.. Will have to await Ken the Restorer's visit for his opinion. Again, this looks like damaged caused by water getting in between an epoxy finish and the wood itself. Perhaps some lessons to be garnered here in respect of the use of epoxy!
On the interior of Z28, I have noticed that there appears to be a slight split (around 4 inches) in one of the frames (starboard / forward). We haven't removed any of the paint yet so cannot tell how serious it may be (optimistically, it may only be paint splitting). When I get back to the boat, this will be one of the first jobs, to investigate what we are looking at here.
A local fisherman will be lending me a 'prop puller' next week to attempt to get the tiller fixing off the rudder shaft.
Tuesday, 30 September 2008
Are you interested in the Portsmouth Victory
Maybe, this blog is whetting your appetite to spend the winter restoring one of the Portsmouth Victory's. Certainly next season has much to promise with the class celebrating its 75th birthday.
A special weekend 6-7th June 2009 for the Victory and other Alfred Westmancott desings in the Solent. Racing will take place in the Eastern Solent with evening entertainment as well.
Hosted by the Royal Naval Club, Royal Albert Yacht Club and the Victory Class association.
A special weekend 6-7th June 2009 for the Victory and other Alfred Westmancott desings in the Solent. Racing will take place in the Eastern Solent with evening entertainment as well.
Hosted by the Royal Naval Club, Royal Albert Yacht Club and the Victory Class association.
Saturday, 27 September 2008
Tiller, Stemhead Fitting and Rudder
The good news is that with some minor alterations to the stemhead, the fitting is going to work.
We still can't get the tiller fitting off the rudder shaft. Heat, WD40, and a hammer. It just won't come off. I think all we can do is persist. It will give in the end!
I think the rudder itself is going to need to be replaced. There are some fairly significant creeping cracks on it. Not too difficult a job though.
A friend is currently cutting up an old 46' yacht. Going to go and have a look at his woodpile tomorrow. Must be some good stuff to salvage!
Still stripping planks! Have really seen nothing of too much concern as yet. Where one of the planks meets the transom on the starboard side, a fair amount of wood has been lost. Whether or not it needs replacing remains to be seen. I feel that a epoxy/wood flour repair should solve it without the need to resort to more serious action. I'll chat it through with Ken when he comes down to see us.
We still can't get the tiller fitting off the rudder shaft. Heat, WD40, and a hammer. It just won't come off. I think all we can do is persist. It will give in the end!
I think the rudder itself is going to need to be replaced. There are some fairly significant creeping cracks on it. Not too difficult a job though.
A friend is currently cutting up an old 46' yacht. Going to go and have a look at his woodpile tomorrow. Must be some good stuff to salvage!
Still stripping planks! Have really seen nothing of too much concern as yet. Where one of the planks meets the transom on the starboard side, a fair amount of wood has been lost. Whether or not it needs replacing remains to be seen. I feel that a epoxy/wood flour repair should solve it without the need to resort to more serious action. I'll chat it through with Ken when he comes down to see us.
No Wind, No Sailing. But we have a stemhead fitting.
Went to meet Nigel at 12:30 today. Unfortunately, a lack of wind left little point in going sailing today. What a shame with otherwise such glorious weather.
We have removed the stemhead fitting from Z17. The bolts holding it on have corroded making it quite tricky to remove. We got there in the end though with some judicious use of hammer and chisel!
Got to feel sorry for Portsmouth Victory Z17 as her destiny seemed doomed. It is most defnitely a serious project to restore her. Water is coming out of her almost like it would a sieve and it seems that a large number of the ribs will need to be replaced, probably planking as well. I'm sure she could be restored, but there is some effort and budget needed there!
Interested parties should contact the Portsmouth Victory Class Associaton.
Had a good look at the new grp Victory and it does look lovely. It is very authentic and the finish looks great. So this is where the barometer is set for z28 then!
So off now to make the most of the nice weather and get a bit more paint stripping in! Steadily, we getting to project milestone number 1!
We have removed the stemhead fitting from Z17. The bolts holding it on have corroded making it quite tricky to remove. We got there in the end though with some judicious use of hammer and chisel!
Got to feel sorry for Portsmouth Victory Z17 as her destiny seemed doomed. It is most defnitely a serious project to restore her. Water is coming out of her almost like it would a sieve and it seems that a large number of the ribs will need to be replaced, probably planking as well. I'm sure she could be restored, but there is some effort and budget needed there!
Interested parties should contact the Portsmouth Victory Class Associaton.
Had a good look at the new grp Victory and it does look lovely. It is very authentic and the finish looks great. So this is where the barometer is set for z28 then!
So off now to make the most of the nice weather and get a bit more paint stripping in! Steadily, we getting to project milestone number 1!
Portsmouth Victory Restoration - Paint Strip - Almost there!
A good afternoon working on the boat yesterday and I'm pleased to say that I think another day's work will see Portsmouth Victory Z28 stripped. What is clear is that when the paint is initially stripped, things look a bit rough. But once the sander has been applied to the boat, things are coming up looking pretty good.
Of course we've still got the interior of the boat to do, but this paint does come off much easier than the exterior paint. The antifoul in particular is horrible to remove, turning into a sludgy, pungent mess.
I think the idea now is to finish off the exterior, strip back the ribs and then get Ken our friendly local boat restorer down for a look.
The good news is that this afternoon, we're going racing on a Portsmouth Victory. Nigel is taking us out on his nice new GRP Portsmouth Victory. Shame there isn't too much wind about! Bren is getting a tad nervous as he hasn't raced before... He thought we were going out for a potter!
Thursday, 25 September 2008
Weather and Working Cover
The weather is turning notably chilly and I don't expect the high pressure to be around much longer so yesterday we made a start upon building a frame for a boat cover.
Using an old windsurfing mast, 3 bits of wood, a bit of rope and 3 screws, we have built a frame that will allow us to cover Portsmouth Victory, Z28 whilst being able to work on her at the same time.
We placed a piece of wood with wedges in the mast gate, attached a piece of wood to the rear of the cockpit and the windsurfing mast between them. All we need to do now is drape a tarpaulin over the top and we are covered!
Using an old windsurfing mast, 3 bits of wood, a bit of rope and 3 screws, we have built a frame that will allow us to cover Portsmouth Victory, Z28 whilst being able to work on her at the same time.
We placed a piece of wood with wedges in the mast gate, attached a piece of wood to the rear of the cockpit and the windsurfing mast between them. All we need to do now is drape a tarpaulin over the top and we are covered!
Tuesday, 23 September 2008
The Keel Step
The good news is that some of the wood is really beginning to dry out now. Whilst there remains one section that is quite wet, it does look as if even this will survive. Still some way to go here but fingers crossed.
Making more progress on stripping the underneath. Another full weekend and I think we'll be there! Bren's sign in particular is showing good progress.
Making more progress on stripping the underneath. Another full weekend and I think we'll be there! Bren's sign in particular is showing good progress.
Portsmouth Victory Construction Method - Clinker
There are three principle types of wooden boat construction. Clinker, Carvel and Plywood Stitch and Glue methods.
The Portsmouth Victory is constructed in the Clinker (lapstrake in N.America) method. This is where planks are layed on top of one another to produce something of a ribbed appearance.
Clinker boats have been around since at least the 7th century AD and were primarily used in Northern Europe. The Chinese also developed their own clinker construction method around 9thAD.
The keel, hog, stern, transom and so on are all built first to form a frame. Then, strip planking is 'steam bent' in a steam box (I'll write a post about these soon) to melt resins within the wood and enhance it's flexibility. Then the planking is attached to the frame whilst the wood remains hot. Each plank has a bevel joint between its neighbour. It is this joint and the pressure between the planks that keeps the boat waterproof. All is then held together with nail fastenings and (these days), a modern sealent is driven between the planks to improve waterproofing.
Clinker is regarded as a light and flexible method of construction. It is also very seaworthy, giving boats a natural flexibility in rough seas and under load.
Although some late 19th century ships were large, it is generally regarded that there is an uppersize limit to effective Clinker construction methods and this is probably around 30ft in length.
The Portsmouth Victory is constructed in the Clinker (lapstrake in N.America) method. This is where planks are layed on top of one another to produce something of a ribbed appearance.
Clinker boats have been around since at least the 7th century AD and were primarily used in Northern Europe. The Chinese also developed their own clinker construction method around 9thAD.
The keel, hog, stern, transom and so on are all built first to form a frame. Then, strip planking is 'steam bent' in a steam box (I'll write a post about these soon) to melt resins within the wood and enhance it's flexibility. Then the planking is attached to the frame whilst the wood remains hot. Each plank has a bevel joint between its neighbour. It is this joint and the pressure between the planks that keeps the boat waterproof. All is then held together with nail fastenings and (these days), a modern sealent is driven between the planks to improve waterproofing.
Clinker is regarded as a light and flexible method of construction. It is also very seaworthy, giving boats a natural flexibility in rough seas and under load.
Although some late 19th century ships were large, it is generally regarded that there is an uppersize limit to effective Clinker construction methods and this is probably around 30ft in length.
Monday, 22 September 2008
Victory Class Association
A little bit about the Portsmouth Victory Class.
The class association (http://www.victoryclass.org.uk/) organises one of the most active racing calendars in the Solent and with some notable helms within the class, racing is competitive. With three series races each week, it's own class in Cowes Week, the Victory class offers the opportunity for highly competitive racing.
The class appears to strike a great balance between maintaining the tradition of a historic classic sailing yacht and in meeting the success criteria for the future of the class and the demands of the current market.
The class has recently launched a new GRP version of the boat for those that want low maintenance, competitive sailing. It looks great and is almost indistinguishable from the older wooden boats. From examination of the sailing results, it would also appear that the GRP model has no significant performance advantage over the older wooden boats.
2009 is a big year for the Portsmouth Victory Class. It is celebrating 75 years. Cowes Week will surely be special and events are planned. See the class association website for further information.
The class association (http://www.victoryclass.org.uk/) organises one of the most active racing calendars in the Solent and with some notable helms within the class, racing is competitive. With three series races each week, it's own class in Cowes Week, the Victory class offers the opportunity for highly competitive racing.
The class appears to strike a great balance between maintaining the tradition of a historic classic sailing yacht and in meeting the success criteria for the future of the class and the demands of the current market.
The class has recently launched a new GRP version of the boat for those that want low maintenance, competitive sailing. It looks great and is almost indistinguishable from the older wooden boats. From examination of the sailing results, it would also appear that the GRP model has no significant performance advantage over the older wooden boats.
2009 is a big year for the Portsmouth Victory Class. It is celebrating 75 years. Cowes Week will surely be special and events are planned. See the class association website for further information.
Stemhead
Initial concerns about the stemhead are over now. It seems that wood has been glued around the stemhead and it is this that has degraded, not the stemhead itself. Good news!
I still keep swinging this way and that in terms of whether or not to epoxy the boat. I think that I do favour at least an epoxy soak to help preserve the wood. However, I'm still not clear about the notion of epoxying the whole boat with a skin. When I look at the potential damage that has been caused around the keel foot by water (and a lot of fresh water at that), the long term future of the boat is potentially threatened by epoxy. I would at least like to see this boat reach a 100. It's only another 27 years!
Tonight, I'm going to strip back some of the ribs in the interior of the boat to see what they look like.... Still avoiding removing the antifoul on my (port) side of the boat then!
I still keep swinging this way and that in terms of whether or not to epoxy the boat. I think that I do favour at least an epoxy soak to help preserve the wood. However, I'm still not clear about the notion of epoxying the whole boat with a skin. When I look at the potential damage that has been caused around the keel foot by water (and a lot of fresh water at that), the long term future of the boat is potentially threatened by epoxy. I would at least like to see this boat reach a 100. It's only another 27 years!
Tonight, I'm going to strip back some of the ribs in the interior of the boat to see what they look like.... Still avoiding removing the antifoul on my (port) side of the boat then!
More pictures of Portsmouth Victory
Pictures of Portmsouth Victory Boat Restoration.
1. Some test stripping inside the hull. Looks like we'll be able to bring some of this to varnish.
2. Pictures of top plank join to stemhead fitting. Notice some pinking to nail heads. It remains to be seen whether this is superficial or reflects the overall condition of the nails.
3. Rudder Port side, pre strip.
4. Scarf joint on starboard side of hull.
5. Wet Keel foot area. Some corrosion can be seen around iron fitting.
Pictures of Portsmouth Victory, Z28
Top Left Illustrates overall stripping progress as of Friday. To the right, a view of the boats planks on port side. Next is an image of the tiller (with tiller removed). There is some work to do to get the remaining stock part of the tiller off. Next is the transom which has now been stripped backed further to reveal a lovely wood, which I would say is English Elm?The last picture is the aft wooden area of the keel before the rudder. This image does not show the fore foot area of the keel where there is some concern about the wetness of the wood.
Sunday, 21 September 2008
Zoe, Toucan and the Transom
There is a loose tradition within the class that the boats are named either after a bird or with a name containing the letter 'z'. Whilst trying to entertain the kids and strip paint for a couple of hours this weekend, I suggested that my kids come up with a name. We would work on a list and when ready to launch, we'll choose a name from the list. My boy aged only 4 came up with the name Toucan. My daughter, 7 came up with the name Zoe. I hate to say it, but I can almost see a Toucan colour scheme.
Got a bit more work done on the transom today. The wood is looking really nice. Unfortunately, a couple of splits and a few rough edges here and there probably mean that the transom must be painted back to black.
The rail that goes across the top of the transom is going to have to go. It has degraded too much, has splits and is really beyond reasonable repair now. Luckily I know of a boat that is being cut up with plenty of mahgony and teak on board!
Bren, a painter by trade maintains that a gloss finish is only ever as good as the finish of the material you are painting onto. So it does at least look like we'll be able to get a great looking transom on which to paint the name that my kids eventually decide upon! Bren seems pretty keen on Toucan but maybe the paint fumes are getting to him!
Bren is making good progress below the waterline on the starboard side of the hull.
This week we'll mostly be making the most of the remaining light evenings and should with luck be almost there in stripping the exterior of Z28 or Zoe, or Toucan....
Friday, 19 September 2008
More epoxy removed and we've almost got the tiller off!
Managed to remove more of the epoxy around the keel area. Z28 now has a natural drain hole!
The wood is quite wet in an area either side of the keel step. A steady leak can be noticed, water that is coming in from the inside of the boat and it s around this area that the wood is most noticeably sodden. So it seems that water getting into the boat has over the years seeped through inside the epoxy coating that I have now removed and, epoxy being epoxy has held the water in.
The big question is for how long has the water been there and what state will the wood be in when it dries.There is a hole that runs about 5mm deep on the starboard side of the keelstep. This wood area is definitely rotten.
However, the damage is limited, there is an iron plate just ahead of the keel and this has suffered some degredation from the water, whether or not this needs repacing or not I'm not sure.
What I need to check is the drawings to see if any keelbolts run through into this area. If the do then I feel their integrity will need checking.
Most of the other wood below the waterline continues to look fine and certainly, so far the planks pretty much get away with it.
Bren has been focused on getting the tiller off the boat so that it can be worked on in the shed at home when we don't fancy going down to the yard. This hasn't been easy and has required WD40, a rather large grip, a hammer, a chisel and the heat gun. Eventually, he managed to get the nut released. All in all 3 days of WD40 soap, chipping away at rust and loosening things up. Still haven't quite got the tiller off though!
Had a quick peek at the rudder today and it seems that it may have delaminated a little on its port side althogh I can't quite tell through the thickness of antifoul. Will have a closer look at this at the weekend.
So a small amount of progress this week restoring Portsmouth Victory Z28 is a work in progress!
The wood is quite wet in an area either side of the keel step. A steady leak can be noticed, water that is coming in from the inside of the boat and it s around this area that the wood is most noticeably sodden. So it seems that water getting into the boat has over the years seeped through inside the epoxy coating that I have now removed and, epoxy being epoxy has held the water in.
The big question is for how long has the water been there and what state will the wood be in when it dries.There is a hole that runs about 5mm deep on the starboard side of the keelstep. This wood area is definitely rotten.
However, the damage is limited, there is an iron plate just ahead of the keel and this has suffered some degredation from the water, whether or not this needs repacing or not I'm not sure.
What I need to check is the drawings to see if any keelbolts run through into this area. If the do then I feel their integrity will need checking.
Most of the other wood below the waterline continues to look fine and certainly, so far the planks pretty much get away with it.
Bren has been focused on getting the tiller off the boat so that it can be worked on in the shed at home when we don't fancy going down to the yard. This hasn't been easy and has required WD40, a rather large grip, a hammer, a chisel and the heat gun. Eventually, he managed to get the nut released. All in all 3 days of WD40 soap, chipping away at rust and loosening things up. Still haven't quite got the tiller off though!
Had a quick peek at the rudder today and it seems that it may have delaminated a little on its port side althogh I can't quite tell through the thickness of antifoul. Will have a closer look at this at the weekend.
So a small amount of progress this week restoring Portsmouth Victory Z28 is a work in progress!
Monday, 15 September 2008
Fine Weather and Paint Removal
For once this summer, the weather has been great. Perfect for stripping Z28. Using heat gun and various scrapers, we have had a succesful weekend stripping her of paint.
We have now removed exterior paint to the waterline on both sides of the hull, revealing the planks. Generally speaking, things are not in too bad a condition. Certainly some of the copper fastenings are failing and these can be easily recognised through the 'pure pink' colour of some of the fastenings. The planks aren't too bad generally speaking. There is some very light softning of the wood around the bottoms of the waterline plank. However, this is to be expected as this is the area that takes the pounding from the water, knocks as well as the the damaging impact of UV.
The stemhead is going to need some work and old, damaged / rotten wood will need to be removed and new wood laminated in.
The keel on the boat has been epoxy coated in the past. On close inspection this epoxy coating looks somewhat deformed and has cracked. So yesterday evening, concluding that the epoxy will need re-doing, I began to bring the epoxy off the hull.
Everything was very wet around the keel step area. I am glad that I have found this earlier on. What remains to be seen is whether or not the wood is still sound. Presently, it is very wet and can be easily penetrated. It is a case of wait and see while it dries out a little. Thank god for the good weather at the moment!
I've also started looking at the leak at the bow and feel fairly confident that an easy repair in this area can be affected. I'll post some pictures of this.
Scraping back test areas on some of the planks below the waterline and most seem to be in fairly good condition which is good news. The bad news is that the hard bit comes now. Removing the anti-fouling. This is a fairly time consuming process but the good news is that once it is done, the exterior will be stripped.
Brendan has started stripping the interior and as might be expected, the paint does come off in here somewhat more easily than the exterior.
We have now removed exterior paint to the waterline on both sides of the hull, revealing the planks. Generally speaking, things are not in too bad a condition. Certainly some of the copper fastenings are failing and these can be easily recognised through the 'pure pink' colour of some of the fastenings. The planks aren't too bad generally speaking. There is some very light softning of the wood around the bottoms of the waterline plank. However, this is to be expected as this is the area that takes the pounding from the water, knocks as well as the the damaging impact of UV.
The stemhead is going to need some work and old, damaged / rotten wood will need to be removed and new wood laminated in.
The keel on the boat has been epoxy coated in the past. On close inspection this epoxy coating looks somewhat deformed and has cracked. So yesterday evening, concluding that the epoxy will need re-doing, I began to bring the epoxy off the hull.
Everything was very wet around the keel step area. I am glad that I have found this earlier on. What remains to be seen is whether or not the wood is still sound. Presently, it is very wet and can be easily penetrated. It is a case of wait and see while it dries out a little. Thank god for the good weather at the moment!
I've also started looking at the leak at the bow and feel fairly confident that an easy repair in this area can be affected. I'll post some pictures of this.
Scraping back test areas on some of the planks below the waterline and most seem to be in fairly good condition which is good news. The bad news is that the hard bit comes now. Removing the anti-fouling. This is a fairly time consuming process but the good news is that once it is done, the exterior will be stripped.
Brendan has started stripping the interior and as might be expected, the paint does come off in here somewhat more easily than the exterior.
Wednesday, 10 September 2008
Portsmouth Victory Z28 Pre-Restoration Pictures
Here you can see Z28 sat in her cradle and being launched to identify any areas of significant leaks. The picture below illustrates the main leak in the bow area. The staining from copper fittings is evident across the bow area. To the left of the centreline is where a continuous trickle of water comes through. I'll get more pictures this evening of some of the exterior hull areas.
Tuesday, 9 September 2008
Arrival On Hayling
Well, Z28 arrived on Hayling yesterday being towed in by Nigel. Unfortuntely, I was too ill to see her arrive but Bren went down to see her.
Nigel turned up around 4:00. She was craned into position in the boatyard and chocked. Bren handed over the signed agreement for sale. One of the conditions of sale were that the previous owner and the class are to have first refusal should we decide to sell her. All very reasonable, this being a historic boats means that there is a certain duty of care around owning one.
I was OK to go and see her for a while yesterday. Already Bren was at work, removing some of the boats fixings. I took a look around at the leaky bow area and have seen the problem. Once we have all the paint off, we'll be able to take a proper look at it and see what the solution needs to be.
Popped down to Ken Brown Boatyard in Portsmouth topay the craneage bill. £65. A very decent fee. Last boat that I had craned (admidtedly, a 46' Cat), the cost was £700!
This week, the major objectve for me at least is to construct a cover for her, to protect her from this near constant terrible British weather.
Tomorrow should be drier so I wil spend a bit more time looking at her then and hunting around the boat yard for materials to make an A-Frame out of!
Nigel turned up around 4:00. She was craned into position in the boatyard and chocked. Bren handed over the signed agreement for sale. One of the conditions of sale were that the previous owner and the class are to have first refusal should we decide to sell her. All very reasonable, this being a historic boats means that there is a certain duty of care around owning one.
I was OK to go and see her for a while yesterday. Already Bren was at work, removing some of the boats fixings. I took a look around at the leaky bow area and have seen the problem. Once we have all the paint off, we'll be able to take a proper look at it and see what the solution needs to be.
Popped down to Ken Brown Boatyard in Portsmouth topay the craneage bill. £65. A very decent fee. Last boat that I had craned (admidtedly, a 46' Cat), the cost was £700!
This week, the major objectve for me at least is to construct a cover for her, to protect her from this near constant terrible British weather.
Tomorrow should be drier so I wil spend a bit more time looking at her then and hunting around the boat yard for materials to make an A-Frame out of!
Saturday, 6 September 2008
Away to her care home
Have had a good week today. The advantage of living in an area like Hayling, is that it has quite a few boatyards. A trip down to the pub reveals plenty of experienced professional hands that know about wooden boats. All roads seem to lead to one man, Ken. He has worked on many classic large yachts and seems to be highly regarded by those who we have spoken with. If we get into difficulties, it seems that Ken is our man locally!
Met up with Nigel again today to get the boat ready for towing to Wilsons Boatyard on Hayling.
As Portsmouth Victory, Z28 has been ashore for two or three years Nigel very sensibly suggested that as we were using the crane anyway, it would be worthwhile putting her in the water to spot any leaks. A very good idea as it means that before starting work on her, we know which areas we need to focus on.
There is nothing too alarming. A leak, akin to a very slow running tap around 2-3ft aft of the bow area and a very slow leak around the rudder housing. The areas around the keel seemed integrous.
The fore-leak doesn't look insurmountable and closer inspection to the under water exterior areas of the boat revealed that the rubbing strip along the bow has worked loose. Only stripping her back fully will reveal the actual damage, but I shouldn't imagine that this is going to be too big a job!
As for the rudder housing, we'll get the rudder out and have a look, but I suspect that this one can potentially be resolved pretty quickly with expoy and / or epoxy filler.
The class association has very greatfully offered a mast, a bow /stem stainless roller for a very reasonable sum. Thanks very much!
So, exciting times. Z28 will arrive by road on Hayling on Monday and will leave (hopefully) in Spring 2009 by sail.
Met up with Nigel again today to get the boat ready for towing to Wilsons Boatyard on Hayling.
As Portsmouth Victory, Z28 has been ashore for two or three years Nigel very sensibly suggested that as we were using the crane anyway, it would be worthwhile putting her in the water to spot any leaks. A very good idea as it means that before starting work on her, we know which areas we need to focus on.
There is nothing too alarming. A leak, akin to a very slow running tap around 2-3ft aft of the bow area and a very slow leak around the rudder housing. The areas around the keel seemed integrous.
The fore-leak doesn't look insurmountable and closer inspection to the under water exterior areas of the boat revealed that the rubbing strip along the bow has worked loose. Only stripping her back fully will reveal the actual damage, but I shouldn't imagine that this is going to be too big a job!
As for the rudder housing, we'll get the rudder out and have a look, but I suspect that this one can potentially be resolved pretty quickly with expoy and / or epoxy filler.
The class association has very greatfully offered a mast, a bow /stem stainless roller for a very reasonable sum. Thanks very much!
So, exciting times. Z28 will arrive by road on Hayling on Monday and will leave (hopefully) in Spring 2009 by sail.
Monday, 1 September 2008
Making Arrangements
Went to see Wilsons Boatyard, Hayling Island today. Had a chat with the lady there who confirmed that there wouldn't be a problem putting the boat in there. As it is only 5 minutes walk from the house, that means we'll be able to dedicate plenty of effort towards the boat.
Got back and gave Nigel a call to confirm arrangements and that he was happy for us to go ahead with the boat. He is and we are making arrangements to move the boat to Hayling on Monday next week. Nigel has also offered to take us out for a sale on his own new GRP version of the boat. There is something to look forward to!
Finding out about lapstrake / clinker construction method has been the first thing, and on the face of it, it doesn't look to tricky! What is trickier is getting through the endless internet debate abou the right materials to be using. In particular, I am looking at options to epoxy the boat to maximise her watertightness and length of service for the wood on board the boat.
Our stated goal is now to have the boat back together at the latest for Cowes Week and the classes 75th anniversary next year, so we better get cracking!
Got back and gave Nigel a call to confirm arrangements and that he was happy for us to go ahead with the boat. He is and we are making arrangements to move the boat to Hayling on Monday next week. Nigel has also offered to take us out for a sale on his own new GRP version of the boat. There is something to look forward to!
Finding out about lapstrake / clinker construction method has been the first thing, and on the face of it, it doesn't look to tricky! What is trickier is getting through the endless internet debate abou the right materials to be using. In particular, I am looking at options to epoxy the boat to maximise her watertightness and length of service for the wood on board the boat.
Our stated goal is now to have the boat back together at the latest for Cowes Week and the classes 75th anniversary next year, so we better get cracking!
Sunday, 31 August 2008
Restoring Z28, a 1936 Portsmouth Victory
Well, we've done it now! Friday lunchtime, I was doing a bit of internet surfing whereupon I happened upon an advert for a classic keelboat, known as The Portsmouth Victory.
Without mast or sails, hull only, the yacht formerly known as Woozle is for sale for a £1.
For some time, I have lusted after this particular class of boat. I can recall how as a young yacht skipper on board modern plastic boats, I would regularly be entering or leaving Portsmouth Harbour, watching these pretty boats and wishing that I was on one.
Now the opportunity has arisen to get involved with the boat and the class. I send off a quick email to the advertiser and within an hour, Nigel returns the mail. I promise to call him Saturday morning when I have had an opportunity to discuss it with partner in crime, Brendan.
So, 5 o'clock, Saturday afternoon and we are off to Old Portsmouth to view the boat. We meet Nigel outside the Portsmouth Victory Class yard through a maze of narrow streets to view the boat. As the gates open, the boat comes into view. My jaw drops. Out of the water those classic lines are gorgeous. Closer inspection reveals that she is a little ship in need of a fair amount of work. She's in sound condition, and in need of fittings, spars and a little TLC. It will pay to get work done on her now. That's OK, we need a winter project.
Clambering up into the deep cockpit, the lines from the helming position immediately grab me. The stout stem built to take Solent Chop and the graceful transom. I love the features like the stamson post, and the furniture in the cockpit. It all represents a quality of workmanship rarely seen today.
Nigel kindly offers to take us out on the water to view some other Victory's afloat at their moorings in Haslar. These boats look lovely. ..
...so we agree to take the boat on. It is the class 75th birthday next year. Wouldn't it be nice if Z28 could be sailing again for that!
We head home enjoying a beer or two and discussing the boat, dreaming of weekends out with the kids, with friends and other family. Cowes Week 2009. Z28 returns.
So Wilsons boatyard Monday morning to see if they have a spot for Z28
We need to speak with Wilsons boat yard and today I'm going to work on a restoration plan for the boat.
Without mast or sails, hull only, the yacht formerly known as Woozle is for sale for a £1.
For some time, I have lusted after this particular class of boat. I can recall how as a young yacht skipper on board modern plastic boats, I would regularly be entering or leaving Portsmouth Harbour, watching these pretty boats and wishing that I was on one.
Now the opportunity has arisen to get involved with the boat and the class. I send off a quick email to the advertiser and within an hour, Nigel returns the mail. I promise to call him Saturday morning when I have had an opportunity to discuss it with partner in crime, Brendan.
So, 5 o'clock, Saturday afternoon and we are off to Old Portsmouth to view the boat. We meet Nigel outside the Portsmouth Victory Class yard through a maze of narrow streets to view the boat. As the gates open, the boat comes into view. My jaw drops. Out of the water those classic lines are gorgeous. Closer inspection reveals that she is a little ship in need of a fair amount of work. She's in sound condition, and in need of fittings, spars and a little TLC. It will pay to get work done on her now. That's OK, we need a winter project.
Clambering up into the deep cockpit, the lines from the helming position immediately grab me. The stout stem built to take Solent Chop and the graceful transom. I love the features like the stamson post, and the furniture in the cockpit. It all represents a quality of workmanship rarely seen today.
Nigel kindly offers to take us out on the water to view some other Victory's afloat at their moorings in Haslar. These boats look lovely. ..
...so we agree to take the boat on. It is the class 75th birthday next year. Wouldn't it be nice if Z28 could be sailing again for that!
We head home enjoying a beer or two and discussing the boat, dreaming of weekends out with the kids, with friends and other family. Cowes Week 2009. Z28 returns.
So Wilsons boatyard Monday morning to see if they have a spot for Z28
We need to speak with Wilsons boat yard and today I'm going to work on a restoration plan for the boat.
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