Restoring a 21' Fenwick Williams Catboat HELP!!

[Captain_M33]

I have recently aquired a 21' Fenwick Williams Catboat. I had been told that it only needed refastening... and a few planks. Of course, NOW that I have her home, and have inspected her fully... I believe she needs to be replanked and reframed. The Keel bolts DEFINATELY require replacement and I suspect that the Stem needs replacing along with the Deadwood. I'm just not sure of the best way to aproach this project.... Any Ideas...? Any advice...?

~michael

http://www.najlis.com/boat.html

[Garrett Lowell]

How bad is she? Hogged? I think some detailed pics would be in order, and then we may be able to get some folks like Dave Fleming and Scott Rosen and others to weigh in.

[Garrett Lowell]

These are a good start, but more, with more detail, would be better.

http://www.najlis.com/boat/mk_catboat1.jpg

http://www.najlis.com/boat/mk_catboat3.jpg

http://www.najlis.com/boat/mk_catboat2.jpg

[Dave Fleming]

How long out of the water? Fasteners what material? Planks what material?

Ya get the picture?

[Captain_M33]

At least three years out of the water... I would suspect a couple more. The fasteners are galvanized steel and they're SHOT. I'm told that the planks are Cedar over Oak frames. I think MOST of her original shape is still there... though it's definately time to get her shored up. I was told that the builder was JACKMAN... but it's not a name I recognize and my searches have turned up nothing. So... that's more of what I know. Thanks for any advice and info...

Cheers, ~michael

[Dave Fleming]

Ayup, time for some jack stands and sleepers for underneath the keel.
To be efficient and flexible about repairs you should get her off the trailer to apply the above.

Hope the fasteners have not caused to much 'rust burn' to the frames.

Mast off the hull and properly blocked up preferably under cover.

Hull off trailer and blocked up preferably under cover.

'nail sickness' ( just a generic term ) to describe bad fastners.

New fasteners will need to be sized to fit reamed and plugged fastener holes.

Once you get her setup then come back for further chapters on the repair/restoration process.

Don't know your skill level but if being close to a 'green pea' you might consider the series of books published by our host on repair specific parts. Some good winter reading in there for a novice and intermediate.

[michigangeorge]

I think you should quit while you're ahead and sell this project to someone more deserving- LIKE ME! Thats one pretty design!

[wyndham]

Start with some really simple and practical stuff. Like Dave says get her off the trailer and bunked up good under cover, preferably where you won't have to move her again until you are finished with the project so take your time and find a good spot.
Put the mast and boom and gaff away someplace safe where they wont sag and warp.
Take everything out of her and put it all away, EVERYTHING.
Pull off anyhting that doesn't need to be there, catalogue it and store it someplace safe, cleats, hardware, fittings, EVERYTHING. Make a list of everyhting you take off, tag everyhting and label the boxes, crates and buckets you put it all in. There is nothing more frustrating than having a bucket of fittings and not remebering where you got them from two or three years down the road.
Take lots and lots of pictures.
Now it's time to start working on her.
Now follow Daves advice.
Just my two cents..........

[Captain_M33]

Upside Down or Upside UP...? I had planned on doing this project with the boat on stands, and just refastening her where she sits... but in light of what I see now I'm thinking that may not be possible. I am more interested in doing a top-notch job and doing it right than I am in getting finished quickly or just getting by. This is my FIRST project of this kind, but I wouldn't consider myself Green or Naive. I understand the scope and breadth of what I've gotten myself into... I just want to make sure that I'm not on a wild goose chase here. Thanks for all the input... I'll get more pics up soon.
I'm not really clear about frame and floor timbers in this boat. From the looks of it the frames are not connected to ANYTHING at the Keel end. I know... I know... I'll take more pictures...
oh... one other thing... I intend to put an Inboard motor back in the boat as she was originally built... anyone have an opinion (LOL) about a good small Diesel inboard motor... ?
tongue.gif

Thanks all... ~m

[wyndham]

When I said take lots of pictures I mean for you for reference.
Yanmar.