Refurbishment of a Ness Yawl

[Sandy Roy]

I am refurbishing a Ness Yawl (built from Iain Oughtred’s plans but with some modifications). I’ve bought Oughtred’s ‘Clinker Plywood Boatbuilding Manual’ and his biography ‘A Life in Wooden Boats’. The former is useful and the latter interesting as it provides plenty photos of various rigging options. Most of the work I’m doing is straightforward however the mast set up concerns me. I need to cut off about 20cm from the bottom due to rot, the rest is sound. I intend increasing the short post that serves as the mast step by 20cm to compensate and wonder if this will cause problems? Also, to my surprise the current mast step is not on the centreline, it sits to port, adjacent to the centreboard housing. Should I stay with this (as I have the sails) or should I relocate it to centre? Advice welcome on getting this classic boat back to sea!

[Peerie Maa]

Hi, welcome to the forum.
Can you provide pictures, as they will help us give you better answers?

How is she rigged for the mast to be so far aft? Is there a tabernacle on top of your mast pillar?

[Sandy Roy]

Thank you for the rapid reply. There is one mast, main sail and jib. No mizzen, I attach photos including the mast step post that I will replace with extra 20cm to compensate for shortening the mast. Also any tips on reassembly/ re-rigging of the hollow mast welcome, is epoxy flexible enough for the job or is there a better glue?

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[johngsandusky]

Welcome aboard!
I don't think that having the mast a little off center will make a noticeable difference in sailing. You might consider scarfing a repair onto the mast heel rather than modifying the step. Good luck, keep us posted.

[Peerie Maa]

I still cannot see how that rig would work with the mast so far aft.
This is where it is supposed to be.


The only boats of that genre with the mast so far aft were the Shetland models with a dipping lug.

[Sandy Roy]

Thank you Nick, I am reassured by your comments and will work on this. I really need to lay out the sails and mast and do some measuring! I would prefer a traditional and easy to sail rig for relaxed sailing and day touring, not racing.

[Peerie Maa]

Thank you for the rapid reply. There is one mast, main sail and jib. No mizzen, I attach photos including the mast step post that I will replace with extra 20cm to compensate for shortening the mast. Also any tips on reassembly/ re-rigging of the hollow mast welcome, is epoxy flexible enough for the job or is there a better glue?

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B T W your gunwale is crippled. You can see the unfairness right at the edge of the image.

[pvg]

Looks like lots of "modifications"... including the "offset" mast and its fore/aft location. My inclination would be to try to approximate Oughtred's design rather than restore the "modified" version. Oughtred's credentials as a designer are well documented... ;-)

[Hugh MacD]

Sounds like you really need to do some measuring on the rig and sails to see just what you have there, as stated in #6. That mast step location is really suspect. Hopefully you can figure out a way to depict those measurements for folks here to look at, and it might be worth a call to Mr. Oughtred to see what he thinks as well. I understand he's quite supportive, but his time may be limited.

[Brian Palmer]

Maybe that "mast step" is just a post to hold up a frame for a storage cover?

[Yeadon]

Buy a set of the Ness Yawl plans. Totally worth it as you work on the boat over the years.

[Michael_Owen]

+1 on the plans. Iain's drawings are beautiful and quite affordable. Then, if you decide to, you could be a bit ruthless removing anything that seems suspect.Then start re-building from the hull up. It won't take long, and should prove very fun/rewarding!

The Ness Yawl is so svelte and lovely that you really want to correct any unfair areas, so you will be satisfied with the result.

Good luck, and please keep sharing your progress!

Mike

[Hugh MacD]

Maybe that "mast step" is just a post to hold up a frame for a storage cover?

I thought that, too, 'til I spotted the chainplates alongside. Really curious what the rig looks like!

[Sandy Roy]

Thank you to all for the advice, I've got plenty to think about. Having done a bit more research I reckon I have an old Wayfarer wooden mast, boom and sails and that is why this Ness yawl has been modified. I will buy some plans to confirm best mast options and post progress in due course. Great project for cold rainy days in the north of Scotland, must be ready for summer!

[Sandy Roy]

The Ness Yawl project has progressed and I'm expecting to launch soon to check out with oars (and a side-mounted outboard) I intend to use for short fishing trips. Photos attached.

I'm also planning to sail so now looking for advice on the rigging. I have moved the mast step from the position discussed earlier to where Oughtred's plans suggest it should be (I found this detail in his biography). The mast I have looks far too long but I believe has been used successfully with a mainsail and jib. I reckon a lug sail would suit my purposes better (easy sailing trips and fishing). Advice welcome, thank you.70585167100__E77250F9-1DCE-4FBB-9F99-C1121FCCA41E.jpgIMG_1266.jpgIMG_1288.jpg

[Peerie Maa]

Over long is not a problem if you have parrels on the yard.
Try her out and as you learn her ways you will be better able to decide what, if anything, needs to be changed.
Did you sort out the problem with the gunwale OK?

The way the shrouds are set up on that mast looks as though it will have a track or luff grove for a bermudan mainsail, is that the case?

[Sandy Roy]

Thank you for the advice Nick. Yes, I sorted the gunwale with clamps and plenty epoxy and it looks OK now. I also installed the outboard mount (Edson Marine's expensive but nicely made rig), and a second set of rowlocks at the centre thwart.

I bought 10' oars and they are perfect for the forward thwart but a touch short for the centre seat.

I will try the sail rig as the previous owner intended but then intend to change to a forward mounted lug rig (I have copied the original step but have not yet secured it to the mast). I'm not keen on the 'off centre' mast step I described earlier and would prefer to set up a mizzen in due course. Yes, the mast has a luff groove and one of the mainsails seems meant to run in it (although I have glued the mast halves together again and yet to test the clearance in the groove). When I bought the boat I received 5 sails, 2 jibs and 2 mains (Bermudan) and a lug sail. Photos attached. Later today I will lay out the mast, yard and boom so you can examine the entire outfit. Meanwhile I'm launching tomorrow to test the hull, my new oars and engine. Sailing will wait until I've got the rigging right!. My aim is to end up with a boat that is safe and ideal for fishing and exploring coastal waters. Optimum sailing performance is less important.

More later and thank you again for advising.
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[Sandy Roy]

To continue... here are some photos of the sailing rig, I'm unsure of the yard, is it designed to be used for a balanced lug or a gaff main? The photos show the sails I will to use and need to decide which main. There were two others included, Bermuda main and jib but not in good condition (same size as those shown).

I hope I've made a wise decision moving the mast step forward as shown, it is more in keeping with iain Oughtred's design and those shown in the two books I bought (his Boat Building Manual and biography). Pleased to hear that Nick reckons the long mast will not be a problem. Final question, must the mast step (see photo) be permanently fixed, glue and screws, to the mast foot (as the original was) or should I simply secure it with a couple of bolts through the wood sides? I am presuming that the wire stays take most of the forces.
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[Sandy Roy]

The mast measures 20' 7" and the step post I have made adds 20" (same length as original that I copied)