The Micky Finn

[Cullen T.M. McGough]

Hi All,

For the last 9 months I have been working on a re-build project in my spare time. I came into possession of a 30' 1937 McIntosh sloop the "MICKY FINN". It is currently sitting in the back yard of the the shop I work at (Paul Rollins, in York Maine), and I muck about back there at the end of each day.

The boat is pretty far gone- frames shot, iron fastened, rotten stem, but I've been hammering away at it because it's a lovely piece of history and heck, it beats the hell out of watching t.v.

Because I'm a glutton for punishment, I've started a blog to detail progress on the project. As Bud was long-time contributor to WB magazine, I'm sure he has many fans out there- as such the best I can hope to do on this one is "not screw up to badly".

But come on by, comments, suggestions, praise and derision are all welcome in equal measure.

http://themickyfinn.blogspot.com/

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

:cool:

[L.W. Baxter]

An impressive undertaking, by moonlight... will enjoy watching your progress.

--Lee

[Spissgatter W-9]

Yes it does beat TV and a lot other things besides. My boat was in a similar shape. Only original wood remaining is the sheer clamp, top 30" of frames, mast and boom. The previous owner did a fabulous job in his ten years of effort. He passed the baton on to me in 2001. I expect to have her in the water in time for the Victoria Boat Show.

Persistence is omnipotent. Keep at it and you will have recovered a fine piece of history or left a fine legacy someone can be proud to carry on. I look forward to following your progress
geo :D

[Ken Hutchins]

Wow, looks good. smile.gif Working for Paul, what a great way to learn wooden boat building/repair. ;)

[Scott Rosen]

Thank you. I'm looking forward to following your progress.

[ROWE BOATS]

What a great boat is the Mickey Finn. If I'm not mistaken Bud built her for $800.00 Say hi to Paul from Ellis Rowe.

[Concordia..41]

Great blog 'er commentary. Keep it coming!

- M

[Hwyl]

Good luck. I'll drop by to say hello, if I may. (I'm in Wells)

[Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )]

Ye Old-Timers will be appalled at the wasted oak at the end of the frames, sticking up. To which I say, just as in love and war, a man gripping a steaming hot oak stave covered in blistering oil will make swift, commanding decisions, with few regrets. Wonderful writing, That and the project your undertaking are the reason I come to the WBF. Thank you for sharing. Where in Amesburry did you go? Have you been to Lowell's ? My best friend just moved there from Newburyport.

I look forward to continued reading. I hope ye will be keeping "The Micky Finn" Irish Green when your at the painting portion :D :D

[J. Dillon]

Looking fwd. to up coming posts. Did you check out how to post pix directly ? I think it can be found with the search prompt here. Several Formites give good instructioins on how to do it. ;)

Good luck :D

JD

[Paul Denison]

This is great! It's in the best tradition of the forum and a subject I most appreciate.

[Domesticated_Mr. Know It All]

Welcome to the forum Cullen. smile.gif
Best of luck on your project. :cool:

[Leon Steyns]

Great site, a pleasure to watch the beautiful pictures! And note the wonderful poetry:

The planking on the boat is still the original New England pine from 1937. Amazingly, the pine had not a speck of rot or worm. (Ye fancy-pants-obscure-tropical-fruitwood-planking snobs can ponder that one for a while.) If not for the iron plank fastenings, the boat would have lasted out the century mark.:D :D

Wonderful job, great blog! Thanks.
Good luck & fortune on your project.

Greets, Leon Steyns (reluctantly admitting to be one of those fancy-pants-obscure-tropical-fruitwood-planking snobs... smile.gif )

[Cullen T.M. McGough]

Ok, last post on this. I put a bunch more photos of the early re-building pictures (for those interested in such things.) Also, I put up a scan of Bud's "original" napkin sketch. From here on out it will be a simple day-to-day blog.

P.S. Stop me if you see me screwing up. ;)

P.P.S. Anyone know a cheap source of plate copper? I'd love to copper sheath but the only sources I know of are out of my budget.

[TimothyB]

I believe the excessive use of knees in the house are because the mast is stepped through the house.. just a note. smile.gif

Re: Copper sheet, have you tried looking around for 'Copper Roof Flashing'? It may be too thin for your purposes.. I do not know, but I have seen a marked price difference between 'roof flashing' and 'sheeting' even when they are the same weight. Is $7 per square ft at 16oz weight (per sq foot) a bad price? This stuff is .021 nominal thickness.

http://building-materials.aubuchonhardware.com/roofing_materials/roof_flashing/copper_flashing-107786.asp

The boat is gorgeous, and I wish you luck in restoring her!

[PeterSibley]

Good Luck Cullen !! smile.gif smile.gif
She's going to be lovely.There's a photo of her in fine form in WB as a part of an article on Bud McIntosh ,but you knew that ;) Can't remember which issue,but quite a few years back.Maybe 53 ?

[PeterSibley]

Cullen,your blog page won't show the left side 1" on my monitor...is that just me? I hope it is but I can't read the left 1" of text and the photos are cropped .

[Harry Miller]

Impressive in many ways. Thanks.

[abe]

Ok, last post on this. I put a bunch more photos of the early re-building pictures (for those interested in such things.) Yes Cullen, a few who hang around here are interested in such things and thanks for the blog.

abe