Catboat Conundrum

[Captain_M33]

Hello Folks...

I recently bought a Catboat Restoration PROJECT. Yes... yes, thank you for the condolences and congratulations... *GRIN*

I am preparing to take her off the trailer and block her up, and I'm wondering a few things. Should I approach this project Upside up or Upside down...? I'm not really sure of the best way to approach this, and I'm confused by the floortimber and frame situation in this boat as it seems the frames are NOT connected to the floortimbers... Does anyone have any thoughts...? Does this mean the boat was likely built on a mold and the frames bent to the mold and then planked to the frames...?

I'll try to link a picture to this message.

boat pics (http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/hwkey8/album?.dir=/399c)

Thanks...

~michael

[Lion]

Can't advise on this project but my own catboat project is being done right side up. However I don't have as much plank and deadwood work as you do.

Nice lines, what design?

Lion

[Bob Cleek]

I'd expect that your guess is correct. The boat was built on molds with steam bent frames and the floors installed later, together with the centerboard trunk. Tricky repair. Be careful before you pull it apart. Make sure it will hold together. The floors are so long, owing to the very shallow bottom, that they actually serve as intermediate frames. Thus, no need to fasten them to the steam bent frames. Everything just sort of overlaps, being connected by the plank. It's a sound method of construction, but remember, when you replace a floor, you will also be replacing a frame, so shape will be very important. Saving the original as a pattern is the way to go. Do 'em one at a time. If you need to replace the centerboard trunk, though, it'll get tricky.

As for up or down, I don't see how you could do it upside down. If you take too much plank off, she may fall apart, since the plank fastened to the floors is what is holding the frames in place, really.
Good luck!

[Cullen T.M. McGough]

Heheh, well now. What's worse, your back or your knees?

-Cullen

[Captain_M33]

GREAT!!! LOL My back or knees eh...? I think the last time I was asked that I ended up a father. *grin*

Lion, I don't know what design she is... I'm still trying to get to the bottom of that question. She was sold to me as a Fenwick Williams design, but I've completely debunked that idea. So, I'm not sure,and so far I've not come up with anything plausible. Anyone care to venture a guess???

Bob, Thanks for your info... I have been proceeding with utmost caution, because as you point out... she just looks like she'd go all to pieces if you pull one wrong plank... Like a big Wooden Boat Jenga... CRASH!!!

So.. now my question is... How does one proceed in this situation...? I think MOST if not ALL the Frames should be replaced... and a CONSIDERABLE amount of planking... at least ALL below the waterline needs to be replaced... but if the planks are being held by the frames and the frames are being held by the planks... What the "F"...? *grin*

Like I said.. Catboat Conunudrum...

thanks all...

[michigangeorge]

hey Michael, you might fire off those photos to Cannell, Paine & Page (www.cppyacht.com). They may have brokered her in the past. Any luck with Bill Peterson?

[Captain_M33]

George,

Yeah... Mr. Peterson was quite helpful. A very generous and sincere fellow... but, all he could determine is that she is NOT a Williams Design... So, I'm looking for answers elsewhere. I sure would like to figure out her history.

~michael