OEX
12-22-2004, 12:54 PM
OK, I had a chance with a shipwright (Richard Fewtrell) to have a good look at Ben Bow. Richard says to rebuild/restore/recreate her he would charge about $50-60,000 for labor and $25,000 for materials. He would save as much as possible as long as it is worthy of it. What would be done is: new keel, planking, frames, deck beams, deck (Douglas fir (or?) with canvas or dinel and glass), cabin, cockpit, rudder etc---fastenings would be bronze with planking of cedar (or ?) and frames of oak. The result would be that Ben Bow would be as good as new without an interior, sails, or an engine. he old rig, hardware, some dead wood, stern post, ballast---as much old as can be and what the owner wants within reason and safety. It would cost about $2000 to strengthen her and move her to the shop in East Haddam CT. Clearly full details, etc would need to be worked out more closely.
So Ben Bow in new condition for about $75,000 and the owner could install the engine and build the interior since the original plans would come with the boat. These numbers are not a true quote of course---they would flux 15% either way as any restoration would.
To build this boat new from the plans-- I have numbers in and around the $240,000 from good shipwrights/boat builders in New England. This is fully complete with engine, interior, sails, etc. Nothing fancy bellow nor crazy priced woods---just good classic boat construction. The old hardware would go into the new boat as long as there is a guarantee it goes into Ben Bow without changes to the plans.
so if you are interested let me know and I will do my best to help move her, and keep tabs on the work. If Mr. Fewtrell was to do it I can keep a close eye on the work---take progress photos, etc. If Gannon and Benjamin were to it would be a bit more difficult. Mr. Fewtrell estimates he could start June 05 and finish by May 06. Gannon and Benjamin (or anyone else) have not yet been asked explicitly although they are familiar and interested in the project. ---I could call them if someone is interested.
This post is not an invitation to talk about costs and prices (post a new topic if you have the need), but instead an attempt to give a general idea on what can be done here if you DO NOT do the work yourself. Please do not turn this into a dispute about money and/or new vs. replication vs. restoration. I trust both versions above can be done VERY well and better than I could do it. I have seen the work of both mentioned builders and many others I consulted, and would give them my boat anytime---if I had the $ :D
Cheers, Bruce
bioelf@mindspring.com
WBRF
WBRF (http://www.woodenboatrescue.org)
As usual----Get out there and find the boats and save the boats!!
So Ben Bow in new condition for about $75,000 and the owner could install the engine and build the interior since the original plans would come with the boat. These numbers are not a true quote of course---they would flux 15% either way as any restoration would.
To build this boat new from the plans-- I have numbers in and around the $240,000 from good shipwrights/boat builders in New England. This is fully complete with engine, interior, sails, etc. Nothing fancy bellow nor crazy priced woods---just good classic boat construction. The old hardware would go into the new boat as long as there is a guarantee it goes into Ben Bow without changes to the plans.
so if you are interested let me know and I will do my best to help move her, and keep tabs on the work. If Mr. Fewtrell was to do it I can keep a close eye on the work---take progress photos, etc. If Gannon and Benjamin were to it would be a bit more difficult. Mr. Fewtrell estimates he could start June 05 and finish by May 06. Gannon and Benjamin (or anyone else) have not yet been asked explicitly although they are familiar and interested in the project. ---I could call them if someone is interested.
This post is not an invitation to talk about costs and prices (post a new topic if you have the need), but instead an attempt to give a general idea on what can be done here if you DO NOT do the work yourself. Please do not turn this into a dispute about money and/or new vs. replication vs. restoration. I trust both versions above can be done VERY well and better than I could do it. I have seen the work of both mentioned builders and many others I consulted, and would give them my boat anytime---if I had the $ :D
Cheers, Bruce
bioelf@mindspring.com
WBRF
WBRF (http://www.woodenboatrescue.org)
As usual----Get out there and find the boats and save the boats!!