One insane englishman trying to rebuild the 1910 gaff cutter Tally Ho, in WA. (VIDEO)

[SampsonBoatCo]

Hi everyone,
There has been some discussion about the Albert Strange gaff cutter Tally Ho on the WoodenBoat forum over the years, and I thought I would start a thread to let you guys know what is going on with her in the latest chapter in her life.

Basically, I bought her for one dollar a couple of months ago. I have moved her by truck up to the olympic peninsular in WA, and I'm going to fully rebuild her and then sail her back to the UK.... Phew. Just writing that sentence exhausted me.

Anyway, you can read about how and why I bought Tally Ho right here - http://sampsonboat.co.uk/tally-ho-will-sail-again/

And Ive been making videos about the process. In the latest video I actually get to work on the boat, pulling the Garboards off. Watch it here - http://sampsonboat.co.uk/6-the-rebuild-begins/

There are also a load of other videos on my YouTube channel, which show how I decided to buy the boat, how I moved here up here, and how I built a shed over the boat and set up the workshop.

Please let me know if you have any advice or ideas, and I'm happy to answer any questions.
Thanks!
- Leo Sampson Goolden
(Sampson Boat Co)

[Jay Greer]

Hello Leo, I was once asked to survey your boat by the widow of the former owner but was unable to fit it into my schedule. I am very happy to see that you have taken over the job for the restoration of "Talley Ho". This is a project that would scare off most would be restorers. You are, in my opinion, the right guy to do the job! She needed a person of skill, knowledge and perseverance and it is my believe that you are that person!
Thank you for what you are doing for "Talley Ho"!
Jay Greer

[PeterSibley]

More strength to your arm Leo, I've seen your posts elsewhere .

[Dody]

Awesome project Leo, good luck to you and keep us updated please!

PS: they haven't called me insane yet - well, not openly LOL - but I did get introduced one day very proudly with the words "and this is our completely crazy and mad neighbour we've been telling you about all these months" which was meant concerning the re-build I'm doing !

[jsjpd1]

Welcome to the forum Leo! I've been enjoying watching your progress over on your website. Keep up the good work.

[wizbang 13]

Hey mon,
Thanks for joining the forum.
They call me Wizbang here... (name of one of my boats).
we are planning on coming by around thanksgiving, if you are in sequin.
bruce woodwind

[seawardadventures]

I stopped by to visit this crazy Englishman and clap eyes on Tally Ho for myself. Leo may be not quite sane which puts him in good company on this forum. Who among us does not see a neglected classic and have the urge to correct the situation. The job of transporting the boat, building a shelter over her and making a good start right at the garboard level shows courage and motivation. The boat is as fine an assembly of curvilinear geometry as I've ever seen. Her condition is well into the profoundly in need of restoration category but The possibilities are worth the effort. In a world full of decay a fundamentally strong structure is worth preserving and rebuilding.

[SampsonBoatCo]

Hey mon,
Thanks for joining the forum.
They call me Wizbang here... (name of one of my boats).
we are planning on coming by around thanksgiving, if you are in sequin.
bruce woodwind

Hullo Bruce, seein you all over the interweb these days I will probably be here, please do come by!

[Don Scott]

Leo,

I take my hat off to you. To say that I am impressed would be a massive understatement. Where do you get all that will power and determination from? That is one marathon task you have taken on there but, having watched your videos there is no doubt that Tally Ho has fallen into the right and capable hands. Good luck with the project and I will be following it all the way.

[Larks]

Welcome to the forum Leo - I’m gobsmacked......... and rather jealous: 'jealous of your drive, courage and determination in taking such a daunting but amazing project on. I’m also jealous of your workshop and the equipment that you have access to, how on earth did you manage to arrange that? I can see that there are some very generous people in Sequim, it must indeed be a lovely place to stay with those kind of people around you.

Hats off to you mate!

I love your videos and have just had a pleasant time working through them and am very much looking forward now to the next instalment.

I’m also jealous of your timber stash - was that accumulated with the boat or have you managed to accumulate it in your short time there? You’re certainly very organised and seem to get things moving quickly.

[skuthorp]

Good article on the restoration of another Albert Strange, Charmina in August Classic Boat (no. 350)

[Ian McColgin]

You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din. Finastkind.

[isla]

That's an awesome project Leo. Even the 600 mile haul to her new location is an impressive feat. I wish you the very best of luck with it and will watch your progress with interest.

[waltwood]

This is a great project and i am amazed at what you can do by yourself. Thanks for posting and keep us up to date.

[Rich Jones]

I'll be watching with great interest!

[noyb72]

Will be following with great interest. Thank you for saving her.
Ron

[pcford]

Leo,

I was down in Brookings on a job a few years ago and I saw Tally Ho down in the boatyard. Best of luck to you. Looks like you have a great setup in Sequim. I may pay you a visit in the future. Good luck!! best/pcf

[jackster]

The latest video...

[Rich Jones]

Yikes! Dealing with building inspectors, especially after you've built something without a permit, can be a real pain. Sometimes they're nice as long as you cooperate and have a professional set of plans, or they can be real nasty if you have an attitude.
In this case, it looks like a well built shed, but does it comply with set-back requirements, height requirements, etc?
Hope that all ends well.

[Larks]

Nice work on the concrete removal Leo and good luck with the building inspector mate

[Phil Y]

Big job. Good luck.

[Slacko]

Good luck with the inspector!
The neighbours complaint was probably about the jackhammer as much as the structure.

[Don Scott]

Yes, I agree with you, Slacko. It might be a good diplomatic move to approach the complainant (if approachable) and having a friendly chat. That way you can be sure of finding out what is the true nature of the complaint, which is very important. There are many ways to skin a cat and it may be a wise move to offer some form of compromise which might include some restriction on working hours or days, etc. It will do you no harm to try and smoke the peace pipe. It may be the difference between carrying on the project or, HEAVEN FORBID, its abandonment.


Whatever you do, don't make waves. The inspector and the disgruntled neighbour (like all of us) are human and must surely appreciate the marvellous commitment that you have made and come to some agreeable deal that ensures the future of this boat.


I wish you the very best of luck in your endeavour...you deserve it. TALLY HO !

[marujo.sortudo]

Ugh. Looks like a well-built shed to me, but building codes, etc. may say something else. Wish you the best. Love the videos you're putting together and will continue to follow with great interest. Love the second solution for concrete removal, too. Clever and worth keeping in memory.

[BBSebens]

My word, you are certifiably mad! In the best way.

You certainly came to the right part of the country, there is a plethora of wonderful wooden boat nuts in the Puget Sound area.

If you come up against one particularly large project, try arranging a work party! I suspect there's a few folks who wouldn't mind pitching in a few hours labor for a good cause.

[Daniel Noyes]

West Coast need permits and building inspectors for a temporary structure? what is the roof, is it a tarpaulin?... hmmm around here we can just put up a temporary car port/ boat shed / green house... etc steel pipe/wooden frame and tarp structure no problem... as long as it is "temporary"

[jackster]

Latest YOUTUBE installment...

[Larks]

Mate, that’s a massive undertaking lifting her off the lead like that, well done (no wonder your hair sometimes looks like you’ve been plugged into 1200V ), it makes my concerns about lifting my piddling 28’er off her lead pale into insignificance - but gives me a whole lot more confidence in doing it.

[andrewpatrol]

Certainly got my attention, especially when it took on a tilt
And he doesn’t seem to think anything of it.
needs a new descriptive word inserted between “One” and “insane” but i cant write it here!

[Dody]

Awsome, thank you for sharing this with us, really an inspiration! For quite a while now I was breaking my head how in the world I can attack this on Tonga when I get there. Much clearer to me now!

[Whameller]

it makes my concerns about lifting my piddling 28’er off her lead pale into insignificance - but gives me a whole lot more confidence in doing it.

Same for me with my little 22' 4 Tonner. Thanks for sharing this and keep up the good work !

[nedL]

Just a curiosity, is there an advantage to lifting the boat up off the ballast as opposed to lowering the ballast out from under the boat?

[PeterSibley]

Forgive me if you have already said, but what material are the keel bolts ?

[nedL]

Forgive me if you have already said, but what material are the keel bolts ?

I believe he mentioned bronze,.....which would also be about the only thing that could still look so good at that age.

[Wagemaker]

There are very few people in this world with both vision and drive. I have been lucky to know some of them.

My hats off to you, your project, and progress!

WgMkr