Restoration of a 1939 Richardson

[Tom Freeman]

Thanks for posting the link to your CYA directory Alan. This is randomly timely since I am being fairly aggressively recruited to take over maintenance of the North American CYA database and membership roster. We have a very simple mailing list database with very limited information about the boats and their history. I'd be interested in a chat about how you keep the boat history and images for your directory.

[snow(Alan H)]

No problem Tom, I work with my friend & fellow CYA member Chris Miller on the register. Chris is a professional photographer & the guru that puts the register together, I play art director & general dogs body on the project. I'll sit down with Chris & put together an 'ABC' how to, for you.

Cheers Alan

[chuckt]

Glad to see y'all are enjoying Peacefull.


I see Alan mentioned a way to be informed by email of new posts by particular members. How does one do that? (Postnote: I figured it out--use subscribded thread and select email notification for notice)

[ben2go]

Easy peasy.Chicken is greasy.

[Tom Freeman]

We had a great weekend with the Classic Yacht Association at the Poulsbo Classic Boat Show. I posted my photos from the weekend here. There were about 30 boats in attendance. As you might guess from some of the detail shots, I'm giving some thought to a few small projects including adding an anchor roller, VHF radio, cockpit ceiling treatment, dash-mounted compass and replacing the cowl vents with the original pair. The great thing about having so many classics in one place is the inspiration.

[snow(Alan H)]

As always great photos Tom, thx for sharing Cheers Alan

[Lew Barrett]

Rawhiti is amazing, just gorgeous. I hate to make even a small criticism but it's hard not to note unfortunate public location of the head, beautiful though the cover is. Is there another one on her by chance?

[snow(Alan H)]

Lew
We Kiwi's are extroverts - I think Peter the owner wants to be at one with Rawhiti at all times

Cheers Alan

ps there is only one head.

[Tom Freeman]

Tied up at Jensen Motorboat Company late today for what we expect to be a routine haul out. We'll address a couple of minor mechanical issues, repack the stuffing box, paint the bottom and be out of there soon with any luck.

[Tom Freeman]

Day one scorecard on the haul out: New prop shaft, cutless bearing and a new dripless shaft seal. Should be able to shoot some photos tomorrow evening.

[snow(Alan H)]

Tom
When I get an advice saying 'new posting from Tom Freeman' I get excited because there are always pix - this is the 2nd without pix. You will be on report soon............
Alan

[Tom Freeman]

I'll take the camera to the yard tomorrow evening and then again this weekend when we get down and dirty and repaint her bottom.

[P.L.Lenihan]

Check this out - http://www.classicyacht.org.nz/class...011/index.html

What a delightful way to blow a couple of hours off here at work!That just blew me away Alan and a brilliant piece of work it is too, documenting in colour such wonderful craft from your side of the planet.

Nice to see PEACEFUL being used well too Tom! She does look like a swim platform and boarding ladder miay be useful adjuncts to her, judging from some of the photos you took at the Poulsbo Classic Boat Show.

Your restoration " insanity" is an inspiration to me!!


Cheers!


Peter

[Cogeniac]

This picture is PRICELESS!!!

If anyone doubts the true dedication it takes to restore an old boat, this should do it. AND.... she is still smiling!!

[Lew Barrett]

Are you hauled at the usual location? Which dripless did you go with?

[Tom Freeman]

We are, Lew. I'm headed over there in an hour or so to check in on progress. I hope they picked up the PPS unit, but we didn't discuss it explicitly. I've been meaning to send you a note and ask which one you went with and if you are still happy with the decision.

[Tom Freeman]

Scott, that picture was shot after a day of sanding primer in the salon overhead. That is perhaps my favorite resto photo.

[chuckt]

Yes, tell us about the dripless. I had quite a frustrating time adjusting my packing nuts. I was tempted to replace them this Winter with dripless. I think I saw some in the Jamestown catalog for around $200 each.

Lovely photos from the boat show--what nice neighbors you have. Emma-Kate is rather lonely on Lake Murray S.C.--she the only classic cruiser on the Lake.

[Tom Freeman]

We paid a visit to Jensen Motorboat Company last night to see Peaceful on the hard. Somehow she looks bigger to me when she is out of the water. Maybe it is a "tip of the iceberg" thing.



The guys had already pulled the old prop shaft, rudder and strut. One scary deal is that apparently the strut was only being held in place by one badly corroded screw. The other ones were completely shot. I imagine that we narrowly missed some real problems by catching that in time. Not sure how we missed it with the last haul out and survey.



We talked a bit about the dripless shaft seal. The mechanic that was working on our boat had already left for the day, but Peter said that they only ever install one type - the carbon fiber/stainless steel bearing face version, so I'm pretty sure that they are picking up a PSS unit.

We also spent an hour or so patterning our swim step. We went back and forth quite a bit about how deep to make it and finally settled on 20". That width seems pretty usable without looking like a back porch. What do you think? Is it too wide?



We still need to find a set of brackets. Peter is scouring Dunato's Second Wave and also trying to find out who has the molds for the set that is popular out here on boats of this vintage featuring the sillouhette of a naked woman on the diagonal brace. I'd be jazzed if we can come up with a set of those. So far, it has been a pretty routine haul-out. I hope I didn't just curse myself.

[Garret]

Nope - not too wide.

So - you want the brackets to match your truck's mudflaps?

[Tom Freeman]

Something like that, but a little less buxom in the backside. There is a set in the yard right now on "Shearwater." I'll shoot a photo this weekend if she is still around.

[snow(Alan H)]

Hi Tom

Given that u r looking for brackets I assume its going to be permanently 'down' & not hinged. If this is the case, a more squared off at the sides eg less arch, is more practical. You have uniform area to step onto rather than a reducing area. Ok for you guys but guests can get it wrong. Below are a few pix to show how its normally done in NZ.
Like most things in life a bit longer is better, you want to be able t sit there & lean back without the fear of sliding into the water.

Cheers Alan

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[chas]

I like what you are doing, Tom. My eye wants another inch or two depth at the centerline and I would fair the corners right in to the transom, but that is one man's opinion only and we all have them here, LOL. Best of luck with the brackets. / Jim

[Tom Freeman]

I realize from the comments that I didn't explain the swim step template photos very well. The step will get mounted at the same level as the splash rail and not at the level that it is pictured. The width is the same as the outside edges of the splash rails, and the final step will probably have the same stainless rub rail around the perimeter. We continued the sweep of the hull/splash rail to determine the outboard lines of the step. I like that approach, and will have a hard time being talked out of it. We'll have some cut-outs in the step that will probably mimic the shape of the windows at the helm. Still need to draw those once we figure out the bracket placement. It will be fixed and not hinged.

[chuckt]

I agree. Not too wide. Your bracket doesn't have to go all the way to the edge of the platform either IMHO. I mounted mine below a piece of wood I epoxied perpendicular to the platform. Not having to find a bracket that extends all the way to the edge makes finding some salvaged brackets much easier
.

[Tom Freeman]

We found the molds today for those naked lady brackets. Apparently they have 2 sizes. Waiting on a quote to cast a set.

[Tom Freeman]

We got the bottom painted yesterday and used some sawdust to absorb a lot of the grease in the bilge. We'll come back over that today with a warm water, Dove soap and TSP solution. I also pulled both bilge pumps and cleaned the floats and impellers. Here is Jessica rolling on the bottom paint. This is one of my least favorite jobs, but it went pretty quick.



The strut got rebedded and through bolted and new prop shaft and zincs got installed late this week. The PSS shaft seal is dry fit, but not compressed. I'll grab a photo of that late today.



Here are the deco brackets for the swim platform that we are trying to find. Waiting on a quote to have set cast. If you know of any lying around, drop me a note. They were pretty popular out here in the 40s and 50s.



Finishing touches on the bottom paint. Today we are going to clean the bilge, rub out some spots on the topsides and polish some hardware.

[Garret]

While the brackets are fun, when will they be seen? If under the swim platform (& the platform is close to the water) seems to me that the only time anyone will see 'em is when the boat is hauled....

Inquiring minds.....

[Tom Freeman]

The brackets won't be particularly visible. It's more of a fun little secret thing than anything practical. And don't underestimate how much time these boats spend hauled out.

[Garret]

With a boat that will have been out 3 years next month, I don't underestimate that!

Fun is a very good reason - thanks for 'splainin'.

[shade of knucklehead]

Something with your pattern looks off, but it might be an illusion. It should be the same width all the way across the boat. That way it continues the line of the stern. I normally do the same thing you did, continue the line of the side back onto the swim platform and then make a curve. The curve you have looks nice. I don't like boxy corners.

As far as the width, I like to make it 1/3 of the distance from the top of the platform to the top of the stern. That's the number I start with, then I adjust it as necessary. If the stern has a lot of rake I add some to make it comfortable to stand on.

There is a swim platform at work that I made and then the owner put some latches on it to hold his dinghy. Bad Idea. What a freaking trip hazard!

So far all the swim platforms we have made have been made out of teak strips with teak spacers in between. Here is a pic.

[snow(Alan H)]

Thats nice - the 1/2 round on the edge is a good finishing touch.

[shade of knucklehead]

Yeah, the brass is there to strengthen the edge. Another one I made for another boat had the same treatment and the guy backed into a piling. The only thing that broke was the last strip.

[Tom Freeman]

Something with your pattern looks off, but it might be an illusion. It should be the same width all the way across the boat. That way it continues the line of the stern. I normally do the same thing you did, continue the line of the side back onto the swim platform and then make a curve. The curve you have looks nice. I don't like boxy corners.

As far as the width, I like to make it 1/3 of the distance from the top of the platform to the top of the stern. That's the number I start with, then I adjust it as necessary. If the stern has a lot of rake I add some to make it comfortable to stand on.

Thanks for the comments and ideas. I think the angle of the prior photos was playing tricks on us. The width of the platform is 20" all the way across, and follows the curve of the transom. I was able to grab a better photo today. We'll only be 29" from the top of the platform to the aft deck, so the 1/3 ratio would leave us a little narrower than would be practical.



The transom only rakes about 5" from the deck to the level of the splash rail, so we won't be giving up much working room as a result.

We are discussing what wood to use. Teak has a lot of appeal for obvious reasons. But since I'm planning to varnish the platform, I'm leaning toward Sapele.

[Tom Freeman]

We got the bilge cleaned today and finished polishing some hardware and touching up some chips in the bootstripe. I think we will re-splash by Tuesday at the latest unless we can get those brackets cast quickly. Here is a shot of the shaft seal dry fit. It hasn't been compressed and tightened yet.



I don't think I've ever posted a shot of the engine, so here is a little something for all of the gearheads on here. Original Graymarine 6-51.



I used a version the approach outlined on another thread to get a lot of grease out from under the engine. Yesterday we sprinkled saw dust under the engine and rubbed it around in all of the areas we could reach and then vacuumed it back out. Today, I poured in warm water with some Dawn detergent and TSP, and then scrubbed where I could reach with a soft brush and then followed with a series of oil absorb pads. I made a flexible stick (think paint stirrer) with a hole in one end that I could thread half of an oil absorb pad through to scrub under the engine. This was pretty effective in that it picked up the grease while leaving my soap solution behind to keep working. After wet vacuuming the greasy soap solution out, I followed with 2 rinses of clean warm water and wet vacced those out as well. I was pretty happy with the result given the amount of crud that was under the engine when I started.

While I was sloshing around in the bilge, Jessica did some touch up painting and polished some shiny bits.



Looks much nicer now.



I mentioned this in an earlier post, but the three bolts at the bottom were what was attaching the prop and rudder strut to the keel. Scary. We dodged a bullet there.

[snow(Alan H)]

Tom
Was down at my club today (Devonport Yacht Club) & spotted these on a launch, not as sexy as your two ladies but better than two 'planks'.
Cheers Alan

[shade of knucklehead]

I figured it was the photo causing an illusion. Pattern looks good to me. The 1/3 thing is just the starting point. I have never seen a set of those brackets with the woman, what I would give to have one for my collection though...

[Tom Freeman]

Peaceful is back in the water. I thought I would motor her back to the marina tomorrow, but as we are still dealing with some leaking around the exhaust manifold. We're going to get Peter Orton to take a closer look early next week. In the meantime, I picked up this Plath bow roller on Ebay. It's gorgeous, but I'm worried that it might be a little big for our boat. I need to take it down to the boat and see it in context.

[snow(Alan H)]

Unless its a very big table - it appears fine size wise + yes it is a thing of beauty

[P.L.Lenihan]

Bow roller looks very sweet Tom but if it just isn't right for you and you are not 110% totally happy with it, just send it out my way and I'll see it gets a decent burial.............

Good to here PEACEFUL is back in the water. My boat came out yesterday....boohoo...


Cheers!


Peter

[Tom Freeman]

Peter, I've been keeping an eye on your thread, but I'm not smart enough to follow the roll calculation business, so I probably missed the news about your haul-out. I hope it is just a regular winter thing and not something unplanned.

[P.L.Lenihan]

No worries Tom, it is all part of an annual winter ritual here and anywhere else the water changes from a liquid to a solid. But what am I talking about....you folks can boat year round.....you wouldn't understand.....count yourself lucky......and say a silent prayer for an early thaw for the rest of us.....if you aren't too busy cruising around aboard PEACEFUL.....did I mention how lucky you were......I did eh?.....well it's the truth!

I shouldn't complain though.I've hit a jack-pot of sorts with Mr.Roberts offering to run some analysis for my boat to generate a performance profile of this design, as built.Exciting stuff and just what will be needed to survive the long haul through winter. I may have a few projects though, to keep me and Simon from losing our minds...I mean "touch".

I look forward to seeing pictures of PEACEFUL motoring about over the winter holidays and other random winter moments on the water. I did say you were lucky,right....?


Cheers!

Peter

[Cogeniac]

Peter;
Between storms, boating here in the bay area is rather nice in the winter... Rode 50 mile son by bicycle yesterday through the western hills and out to the ocean under blue skies and an unusually warm sun! I love October!

[Tom Freeman]

We had great fun tonight at the Jensen Motorboat Company holiday open house. This is one of the times when we get a chance to reflect on how many remarkable people we have met as a result of looking after an old wooden boat. Scott (Cogeniac) you may want to come up for one of these events. Good to see you again, pcford.

[chuckt]

I've missed some updates. I love those brackets. Reminds me of 'hidden Mickeys" which Disney fans will understand.

Diggin the shaft seals too.

How are your epoxy filled seams doing? I am going to redo some of mine. The ones I did with regular epoxy have bulged the planks slightly in places. I'm going to go back and redo those areas with GFlex. The places where I used Gflex appear to have allowed for expansion and contraction.

[mtvector]

Hi Tom,

I have what might be a really silly question. Is it a common thing to have a haul out facility that let's you work on your own boat? I'm jealous, as I have never seen any where down here that lets you do that.

One other question. I noticed in one of the photos that you have a tall director's style chair as your helms seat. Does it work well? I'm concerned about stability, particularly falling over backwards.

Your boat is looking great! I really enjoy reading the updates. My next project is swapping out the distributor for an electronic one and putting a thermostat on the engine. I run my boat quite a bit down here in the winter, and it never really gets up to temperature so I am constantly fowling spark plugs. I ordered both the electronic distributor and thermostat kit from Van Ness Engineering in NJ.

-Arthur

[Cogeniac]

Hi Tom,

I have what might be a really silly question. Is it a common thing to have a haul out facility that let's you work on your own boat? I'm jealous, as I have never seen any where down here that lets you do that.

One other question. I noticed in one of the photos that you have a tall director's style chair as your helms seat. Does it work well? I'm concerned about stability, particularly falling over backwards.

Your boat is looking great! I really enjoy reading the updates. My next project is swapping out the distributor for an electronic one and putting a thermostat on the engine. I run my boat quite a bit down here in the winter, and it never really gets up to temperature so I am constantly fowling spark plugs. I ordered both the electronic distributor and thermostat kit from Van Ness Engineering in NJ.

-Arthur

Where is "down here"?

In the SF bay area there are lots of places that let you do your own work...

S

[mtvector]

Just north of Atlanta, GA.

[Tom Freeman]

Hey guys, Nice to hear from everyone. Arthur, there are lots of different types of facilities up here ranging from full-service outfits like Jensen to spots where you can just haul a boat out and block it up in the middle of a big paved lot and do what is needed. We haven't worked with anyone other than Jensen, so my direct experience is limited. What I understand is that policies regarding working on your own boat vary from yard to yard and even from customer to customer. I think the key is to go talk to the yard manager in advance and find someone whose approach and personality suits yours. We talked to a handful of outfits before selecting Jensen and ruled out a few very good ones simply because we were less comfortable with personalities and communication style. So ask a lot of questions in advance.

The directors chair at the helm is a trade-off. When we hit waves or wakes, it gets a little dicey. I find myself grabbing the edge of the cabin side once in a while or standing to drive. We did think about putting in a folding helm seat and I even have one down in the garage. The nice thing about the directors chair is that when we are eating or entertaining on the boat, I can turn it around and face the guests sitting in the cockpit while still being high enough to have a 360 view and keep a lookout. We do a lot of drift-dining on Lake Union, so this is particularly nice and the biggest reason why I haven't put in a fixed seat. If I did most of my boat driving on Puget Sound, I would definitely want something more solid.

Chuck, the epoxied seams are still holding up well. We gave the topsides a good once-over when we hauled out, and we have some minor cracking of paint at the seams, but nothing worse than your would normally expect on a 3 year old paint job. We won't know if the cracks are at treated or untreated seams until we sand and repaint again. I still wonder if we did the right thing, but experience so far hasn't given me any regrets.

[Tom Freeman]

My next project is swapping out the distributor for an electronic one and putting a thermostat on the engine. I run my boat quite a bit down here in the winter, and it never really gets up to temperature so I am constantly fowling spark plugs. I ordered both the electronic distributor and thermostat kit from Van Ness Engineering in NJ.

We swapped out our points for a Pertronix unit two years ago, and it has worked a charm. Very happy with that decision. I'm interested on your experience with the thermostat. Ever since we have owned the boat, the sensor for our temperature gauge has been near the exhaust outlet at a bend in some re-plumbed copper tubing. At that spot, the engine temp never got above 110. We had the mechanic at the yard drill and tap a plug in the block and relocate the sensor to the block. We now seem to get more accurate temperature readings. We also had him rebuild the manual temperature control valve. I haven't had much time to run the boat yet, but what I'm finding is that the boat runs in the 120-130 range at full power, but then the temp spikes alarmingly when I drop to idle and take the boat out of gear. My sense is that the geared water pump isn't moving sufficient water at low RPM. They did dissassemble the pump to inspect it, so I am going to push more grease into it and continue to fiddle with the manual valve to see if I can get to a happy medium. I'm not sure what set-up you have, so your experience may be quite different.