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

[signalcharlie]

Interesting adventure, fun to see the nuts and bolts and innards of a classic. Signed up to be a Patron as well and sent money for a new grinder that has a working On/Off switch

Go Leo!

[peter radclyffe]

Well done

[Bernadette]

Bernadette, In the hull, possibly 80% of the planking, the beam shelves, and one bilge stringer. As to the keel, he has acquired purpleheart for keel replacement. We will likely see that nixt time, then he has to take a break for a while before being back at it.

yes i thought it must be quite extensive. what of the frames?
i was hoping he would replace the keel and i see this is so.

[Larks]

yes i thought it must be quite extensive. what of the frames?
i was hoping he would replace the keel and i see this is so.

If you watch through the “removing the deck” video you’ll see towards the end where he discusses the question of how much will be saved

[jackster]

Latest from Leo Goolden...

[wizbang 13]

I get tired just watching these now . It’ll be swell when she stops coming apart and starts going together.

[Rich Jones]

I can't imagine how he's going to get that big timber in place and in the boat. Like Wizbang, I get exhausted just watching the video. It's going to take him a lifetime to get that boat back in the water.

[Insolent]

Well best of luck to him. Nothing wrong with having big dreams. Go for it Leo!


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[jackster]

Leo SEEMS to be a bright guy, to me. So he must have some concept of the overwhelming scope of his project...
(Maybe best he doesn't? )
I'll probably be gone by the time he finishes! (70yo now) so it's out of my time-frame anyway.
Bruce, when you heal-up you could go help out!

[wizbang 13]

I 've been up there a few times. We met in the Caribbean. I gave him some lead and lent him some big clamps and my boat stands. I doubt I’ll be able to help him, the work he is doing is above my grade. I’m not actually a woodworker I’m a glueworker. I’m honest with myself about that.
Unless he decides to laminate the frames , which I talked to him about and I doubt he’ll do it, all I can do is offer support and beer.
Good beer.

[Mark0]

I don't think this is such a big task as some may think. In my opinion he has the most critical component of the project sorted - location. Living onsite with a full workshop speeds up everything. The hard part will be deciding when to move the boat back into the water. The temptation to see it floating may slow down the final finishing work. I've enjoyed watching his videos.
Mark

[jackster]

Well, it is an imprecise science at best to determine build time. speaking overall. You can certainly ballpark man(women)-hours and material costs. Or do a per-pound guess-ta-ment.
But at present this is a one-man operation for the most part. Other help, at this time, is part-time, nothing to schedule around, seems to me.
Even Leo currently needs to go away to work, both to replenish the coffers and "take a break" I would say. I know he has a Patreon thing set-up (https://www.patreon.com/sampsonboatco) but that seem to bring with it an expense of lots of time taking videos, editing and posting. More man-hours.
This is a longer term project "then many may think"... IMHO

[Canoeyawl]

I am reminded of the enthusiasm of youth.
Anything is possible.

[DeniseO30]

I don't think this is such a big task as some may think. In my opinion he has the most critical component of the project sorted - location. Living onsite with a full workshop speeds up everything. The hard part will be deciding when to move the boat back into the water. The temptation to see it floating may slow down the final finishing work. I've enjoyed watching his videos.
Mark

I'm impressed at how young Leo is. Clearly he has the ability and the good sense to seek out advice and consult with others.

My question is, how can he afford to do a unaffordable impractical project!?

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[Mark0]

Hi Denise,
At this point it's pretty much just labour cost, and I'm sure he isn't paying himself. Having access to the shop, tooling and a place to live will keep the costs down. Really anything worthwhile doing is impractical
Mark

[Canoeyawl]

That boat is worth the effort, and I am pleased and enthusiastic for the project. Remember that Tally-Ho won the 1927 fastnet race in which almost all the other boats dropped out due to weather, including Jolie Brise!Albert Strange's work was exceptional, and in looking at his designs and the dates, you wonder if others were not copying his work.
Beken

[pcford]

I am reminded of the enthusiasm of youth.
Anything is possible.

Makes me exhausted just watching the video.

[wizbang 13]

Years ago I did some work on Foxy of Jost van Dykes boat. Now here is a guy had plenty of money buy he had most of the money raised through donations big and small.
Kenny Chesney gave him twenty grand fer instance. Near the end Volvo gave him a $20,000 diesel . One day a guy dropped off two max props!
I expect good things like this to happen to ... and for Leo . Both because of the Vessels pedigree and his personality. Look at the views he’s racking up on his excellent YouTube videos. There is coin potential there.

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

Wow, great boat, great thread.

[Bernadette]

Im pretty certain Leo will complete the job albeit with a lot of work ahead. I personally wish he would have put all his effort into a new build (to the same design as she is undoubtedly a great yacht for sure). New timber will be 'pound for pound' way in excess of the original retained timber, so why not build new? Its the question that always get asked.

Anyhow, the momentum will follow and as wizbang alludes to, there are and will be plenty of people about who will lend a hand finically or otherwise. She is too big a boat for one man to restore. Theres no question of that.

What I find intriguing though is the second part of Leo's assertion that he will …"have the boat as seaworthy as possible, in as good condition or better than when she was first built…". Undertaking a restoration is one thing but to claim to 'build better than new' whilst doing the restoration is contradictory.

Incidentally, what length is the boom?

[navydog]

…"have the boat as seaworthy as possible, in as good condition or better than when she was first built…". Undertaking a restoration is one thing but to claim to 'build better than new' whilst doing the restoration is contradictory.

Incidentally, what length is the boom?

Leo isn't making a contradictory statement. In the course of the rebuild Leo will use better modern materials for fastenings, and will see other things in the original construction that can be improved without making alterations that significantly alter the boat. Using purple heart for the keel was a big improvement over the old oak keel as a start.

[Thad]

The original keel is teak, but carrying considerable damage and significant checks.

[navydog]

Ok my mistake, but purple heart is stronger than teak and still an improvement.

[Canoeyawl]

I find it impressive that he is restoring the boat to the original plan and not the existing configuration, which was to accommodate a large engine for fishing service.

[Jay Greer]

Leo, to my mind, is very unique in his ability to plan ahead and get things done in a reasonable amount of time with excellent results. Over my own years in the boat building trade, I have seen a lot of dreamers take on restoration projects that have failed in their efforts leaving a half finished hulk that must then be disposed of! Leo does not fall into that category! I am truly and duly impressed with his abilities, workmanship and efficiency in planning that which must be done. He is very much like Wayne Ettle in that sense.
Jay

[Jay Greer]

The original keel is teak, but carrying considerable damage and significant checks.

Purple Heart is highly resistant to bending. It does have a tendency to check if not protected from the weather as it is porous of end grain. It is also a bit nasty to work due to its stringy hardness. But, it is very rot and insect resistant and well suited for the use Leo has chosen it for. The slivers sting like all get out and will fester if not quickly removed from the flesh! It is a bit like Apitong in that respect.
Jay

[bdbFC]

Hi Denise,
Having access to the shop, tooling and a place to live will keep the costs down.

I think this can't be overstated. What a great setup he has

[Canoeyawl]

I am sensitive to Purple heart dust and chips, a poison ivy like reaction on my skin.
Can't imagine what it may do in my lungs.

[Woxbox]

All I could think when I saw those timbers loaded was: "What did he have to pay for that?" I wouldn't be surprised if it was more than I'll spend on my next boat.

[DeniseO30]

All I could think when I saw those timbers loaded was: "What did he have to pay for that?" I wouldn't be surprised if it was more than I'll spend on my next boat.

I don't know but I think I smell old money, but he is kind of cute so I continue to watch!

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[Canoeyawl]

All I could think when I saw those timbers loaded was: "What did he have to pay for that?" I wouldn't be surprised if it was more than I'll spend on my next boat.

I thought about where and how it was harvested, and how many hands had to work hard for a pittance to get it where it was. Not much better use could be made of that tree though.

[jsjpd1]

At ~$10/bd ft, that keel ran about $6,000. Expensive but not totally outrageous. I’d certainly make sure I used every scrap like he’s doing.

[Rich Jones]

I am sensitive to Purple heart dust and chips, a poison ivy like reaction on my skin.
Can't imagine what it may do in my lungs.

My son and I put down a hardwood floor advertised as Brazilian something or other. Working indoors on a hot day, we were covered with sawdust but were fine. The minute we walked outside and were exposed to the sun, it was like our skin was lit on fire. Not a fun day. I wonder if it was purple heart.

[Woxbox]

It was probably "Brazilian Cherry" which has nothing to do with cherry. It's Jatoba and can indeed irritate. I react now to pretty much any aromatic wood I come in contact with.

[Canoeyawl]

The worst for me is "Pernambuco" (used for stringed instrument bows) I think it is prolonged exposure that causes a problem. You become sensitized to it.