project pathway carvel restoration

[terrymilligan]

hi all,
boat needs a bit of work done!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59321827@N06/
not sure of the type off boat but built in Harland and Wolff,mahogany on oak double sheeted. was hired by Royal Navy 1939 in 1941 was used as a barage balloon boat, then after as a training tender. lots more to find out.
i'm going to restore it ,but i need lots of advice.

things i know need work..
replace stringer section
replace rotten planking
replace rotten ribs (not sure what they are called
seems to be a sag in one side from rotten stringer (would bracing sort this out).
bottom of stem needs replaced
bottom of transom needs replaced
hows that for starters!

damage has been done where the silkaflex has bonded the seams together and the boards have shrunk.

i know it is going to be a long road to completing this project, but i plan to do it a one bit at a time,

i plan to strip all the paint of first, and then bracing the side that has sagged a little, then fixing the stringer followed by replacing the rotton boards.then treat with a wood preservative.

so everybody please feel free to criticize and correct but most important please give advice.

[BETTY-B]

Hmmmm.....First of all, welcome aboard terrymilligan.

I'd suggest doing pooploads of research. With lots of specific questions in the areas you are actually starting to work in(lots and lots of pictures). Figuring out a good temp shed that can last a couple years might not be a bad idea to get into first as well. You'll be happy you have a warm, dry place to work on her in a quick four months from now.

Good luck with all that!

DAN

[P.L.Lenihan]

Dan is right on the money terrymilligan,particularly regarding the setting up of a secure, dry, "temporary" ,shed/shop for the duration of your restoration.Time will fly faster than you ever thought possible. And yes, research your boats' history as much as possible and check out your local library for books regarding boat restoration. How far gone she is, the depth of your wallet and your ulimate expectations for her will all shape your approach as will a thorough survey,which will underline,in order, what needs replacing or repairing.Get you significant family members on your side for this project!

She is an interesting looking vessel with very bold features.Handsome, in a rugged sort of way, and certainly a fine challenge for anyone wishing to return her to her former glory.

Good luck with her, persevere and do post lots of pictures and ask precise questions; for no matter how plain you may find them, serious answers and options, from knowledgable folks, will be offered.


Cheers!


Peter

[terrymilligan]

thanks for the reply
i plan on keeping her outside untill i get all the botom paint off.
get her inside and the i'll try and sort that sag out.

having problems uploading pics no mater how small i make them it says i am 75above quota

[P.L.Lenihan]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5106/5648802790_58b6bb7c9d_b.jpg

[P.L.Lenihan]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5023/5687722956_2b219ddc48_b.jpg

[P.L.Lenihan]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5221/5687721156_8f4c3de5ef_b.jpg

[P.L.Lenihan]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5269/5687720370_17325c1652_b.jpg

[P.L.Lenihan]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5305/5687151285_a49ece04fd_b.jpg

[P.L.Lenihan]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5009/5642796010_93501a38d4_b.jpg

[P.L.Lenihan]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5069/5687146899_6a7e47e1c8_b.jpg

[P.L.Lenihan]

There ya go terrymilligan.Some nice photos for folks to size up and appreciate your project and maybe even recognize her. I like the way the forward trunk cabin curves around.


Cheers and good luck!


Peter

[terrymilligan]

thanks Peter

[terrymilligan]

care must be taken when burning off old bottom paint,the pathway caught fire today !!http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3038/5697359302_6d099b216b.jpg
cotton burns very easy, http://http://www.flickr.com/photos/59321827@N06/5697359302/in/photostream

[Peerie Maa]

She looks like a converted ships lifeboat. The top of the stem where the BoT numbers and capacity would have been carved has been sawn off and replaced, so there is now little chance of identifying her. Looking at the stern, she was originally just a rowing lifeboat rather than a mechanically propelled or motor lifeboat. Very good quality conversion from the outside, apart from the butchery to the steam head. That may have been a later botched repair.

[wizbang 13]

Are you committed to putting her back the way she once was, double planked? That would be about 3 times more work than building a new one.
She is a perfect candidate for a single layer strip planked hull. I would not be removing paint, I would be removing boards.

[ILikeRust]

boat needs a bit of work done!

Well, you've mastered understatement, so that's one thing taken care of!! :d

[terrymilligan]

She looks like a converted ships lifeboat. The top of the stem where the BoT numbers and capacity would have been carved has been sawn off and replaced, so there is now little chance of identifying her. Looking at the stern, she was originally just a rowing lifeboat rather than a mechanically propelled or motor lifeboat. Very good quality conversion from the outside, apart from the butchery to the steam head. That may have been a later botched repair.

yes i think you are on to somthing,you can see that there is two different types of mahogony in the hull and cabin. i followed that up with google and it seems that these convertions were quite popular at a time.
anybody any idea on the type of lifeboat time built type of thing.

[terrymilligan]

anybody got any advise for supporting the hull, it seems to have flattend out on one side just at the waterline ,if i support the keel and put adjustable supports down each side will it come back into shape.
how many supports should i use? any web links out there?

[P.L.Lenihan]

Is she still on that trailer Terry or have you got her blocked up off the ground? The keel looks to be perfectly dead flat(and parallel to the water line) along the bottom for most of it's length so I would begin by setting her up on a series of closely spaced timber blocks all perfectly leveled. Next, is there any place on board the boat,say like a centerboard box/case, or a counter top or even a settee upon which you may lay a spirit level.One of the aforementioned surfaces would normally be expected to be built with their tops perfectly level to the waterline.With one person inside to sight the spirit level, have another outside working with a small(5 tonne?) manual hydraulic jack and some smaller blocks and wedges to jack her up to perfectly level. Use stands like these;

http://www.ahoycaptain.com/shop/media/BoatStandsMotor.JPG


to support the hull from rolling over on her side.

Yes, she may and could be made to settle and regain her original shape.


Good luck with her and have you had the chance to check out your local library for any suitable text on boat building or boat restoration? They will contain a wealth of usefull information for you to peruse.


Cheers!


Peter

[wizbang 13]

yes i think you are on to somthing,you can see that there is two different types of mahogony in the hull and cabin. i followed that up with google and it seems that these convertions were quite popular at a time.
anybody any idea on the type of lifeboat time built type of thing.
It looks like teak on the top

[terrymilligan]

transporting your much loved boat!http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2304/5746812293_d7ced9a65d_b.jpg

[ILikeRust]

And evidently taking a little bit of native greenery with it!

[bahma]

I would have serious second thoughts about removing paint... it may be a long while before she is ready for paint once again... meanwhile there could be considerable shrinkage of the planking which would further complicate a very complex problem. I speak from experience having had mega shrinkage after enthusiastically removing paint during my recent rebuild.

I sure agree with writer above who recommends securely blocking her up on her keel and supporting the chines. Don't even think of leaving her on the trailer.

Best of British, old boy.

Norman
Man-o-War Cay
Bahamas

[terrymilligan]

is sapelle mahogany ok for planking with?.

[terrymilligan]

made some stands from old scafolding, the hull is starting to come into shape .could be doing with a few more.http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2118/5772969835_11090b0023_z.jpg

[terrymilligan]

beforehttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2659/5772957093_857f3715d3_z.jpg

[terrymilligan]

after
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2606/5773508968_b8a608f824_z.jpg

[terrymilligan]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3119/5772962151_289432489f_z.jpg



do i call these ribs or frames,plenty of these need replacing.

[Larks]

That looks like a rib there Terry.

Welcome to the forum mate!! I have to say that I love this boat, she has a wonderful shape and character and looks well worth saving. I'm looking forward to following your progress, you certainly have your work cut out for you - but then where would the fun be if you didn't??

[P.L.Lenihan]

made some stands from old scafolding, the hull is starting to come into shape .could be doing with a few more.http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2118/5772969835_11090b0023_z.jpg

Based on those hand made stands Terry, you're a very handy and capable chap and perfectly capable of tackling this restoration.

I can't say whether sapelle is suitable for your planking( it may be!) but if you already have a stash of it or can get your hands on a load of it for cheap, then I would be tempted to go with it.

Perhaps a seperate post,with the singular query regarding the suitability of sapelle mahogany, will garner excellent and acurate responses from those who,unlike myself, really know their woods. Specify the dimensions of your lumber if you already have.


Continued success!!!



Cheers!



Pete