Cresset

[Don Kurylko]

Look at what I came across – the original Cresset designed by the Urry Brothers and built by George Askew in 1929. (See Roger Taylor’s Good Boats, page 15.) She looks to be in sad shape, but still might be a worthwhile rescue project for somebody with a sympathy for old classics and a pocket full of cash (ha!). I wonder if Tad or Stephen knows anything about her current situation. Moored at Lasqueti Island, British Columbia.

I’m not affiliated with the brokers in any way, but here is a link to the site for more details if anyone is interested: http://www.pacificboatbrokers.com/details.asp?File_Number=SW2074

[Jay Greer]

My God! That boat belonged to an aquaintence who brought the boat south to Newport beach from San Francisco back in 1970. The sails were so blown out that going to weather was impossible. The boat had the original interior at that time and was a feast for the eyes. I remember nickel plated pumbing and a folding porcelan and mahogony sink fixture in the head.
Jay

[rbgarr]

I remember nickel plated pumbing and a folding porcelan and mahogony sink fixture in the head.
Jay

I love those things. So simple and handy.

[johnw]

Still beautiful, but she looks sad now.

[Wiley Baggins]

Wow, I had serious secondary lust for that boat when I had thoughts of a big boat. I say secondary as I had already chosen the design of the "retirement or earlier" boat. I've since put those (big boat) notions to bed, but I remember the shape of CRESSET from Taylor's book fondly.

[PeterSibley]

One of my favorites , sad to see her looking like that ...and iron fastened into the bargain .

[Bill Mercer]

Wow, I also loved her in 'Good Boats'. Is there any way they could get thirty grand Canadian for her in that shape? I mean, she does look like she's more or less kept her shape, but dealing with all that iron and delignified wood. . . It would be either a labor of love or a love of labor, probably both.

[johngsandusky]

Wasn't there a thread by someone who bought her to fix her up?

[Rukk]

I wouldnt worry too much about Cresset's future, a good friend of mine is currently in negotiations with the owner to aquire her. The restoration will take place in Silva bay, Gabriola Island beside my Angleman ketch and Tad Roberts' Cogge ketch, also of Urry brothers fame. It's going to be fun to work on her

James

[Jay Greer]

I wouldnt worry too much about Cresset's future, a good friend of mine is currently in negotiations with the owner to aquire her. The restoration will take place in Silva bay, Gabriola Island beside my Angleman ketch and Tad Roberts' Cogge ketch, also of Urry brothers fame. It's going to be fun to work on her

James

Good to hear. "Cresset" is a boat worth saving!
Jay

[Don Kurylko]

One of my all time favourites too! I’m delighted to hear that she may yet have a second chance. I hope your friend will post photos and details of her restoration here on the Forum Rukk. See if you can put the bug in his ear to do so. How great will that be to see Cresset and Tad’s Cogge and Stephen’s Carlotta all fixed up and sailing together? Wow!

[TR]

Don,
Yes, we've been watching out for Cresset for some time now. As long as we remain wacked-out dreamers optimism runs high. She is (AFAIK) the Cogge's only "living" relative, but also a significant historic Westcoast Canadian yacht.

I think Douglas and Wavell will be "some pleased" to see the two boats tied together. I'll be there with my camera.

All the best, Tad

[Stephen]

Funny, I was speaking with Carlotta's previous owner about the Cresset just this week. He was telling me of how surprisingly fast that boat is.
She has beautiful lines - that long overhang is incredible. Very cool that two Urry brothers boats will be together. That is fantastic news to hear she is going to Silva Bay for her repairs.

How great will that be to see Cresset and Tad’s Cogge and Stephen’s Carlotta all fixed up and sailing together? Wow!

I look forward to that day!

[Flying Orca]

Tad, James, and "friend" - all I can say is, way to go!

(Now I really have to convince the skipper to get to Silva Bay next summer...)

[Bill Mercer]

So how does one deal with all the iron in a vessel like this? The pictures of the structure didn't look too hairy, but there's got to be some deterioration from electrolysis and rust, judging by all the streaks. There have to be galvanized drifts buried deep in her timbers which by now are thinking about swelling up and bursting the surrounding backbone members. How much has to come apart to deal with this? And if the iron is not yet going, is it usual to leave it in and just refasten with more galvanized stuff? Adding bronze seems like a recipe for disaster, especially with electronic gear no doubt being added to the yacht over the years.

[Jay Greer]

There is a product known as Devcon-Z that works very well for stopping rust.
It is 92% pure zinc. A quart weighs about ten pounds. Once the rust has been cleaned off by sand blasting, rotery wire brush or scraping. The primer can be painted on and then sealed over with epoxy or epoxy and micro balloons.
http://snsvo3.seekandsource.com/apex...l/vopage3.html
Jay

[Rukk]

There is a product known as Devcon-Z that works very well for stopping rust.
It is 92% pure zinc. A quart weighs about ten pounds. Once the rust has been cleaned off by sand blasting, rotery wire brush or scraping. The primer can be painted on and then sealed over with epoxy or epoxy and micro balloons.
http://snsvo3.seekandsource.com/apex...l/vopage3.html
Jay

Now, don't get me wrong, thats some good stuff alright, but I'm curious as to how this solves a clench-nailed situation. All you can really get at is the head of the nail after you pop its plug, which becomes rather difficult to clean without completely destroying the hole, and even then your just painting a little cold galvie over the smallest surface of the problem. If you could pull the fasteners, effectively re-galvanize them and put them back in that would be different, but in this case would require replanking the boat. Mind explaining a little further?

Flying Orca - You better, or just come visit! I've always got a bunk for you my friend. You can learn to cook on wood

James

[Flying Orca]

You can learn to cook on wood

Mmmmm, wood-fired curry, and I think I have some good flatbread recipes for woodstoves. Gotta be easier than cooking on moss, and I've done that... and Coleman stoves at -35, too.

I'm hoping for a long cruise next summer.

[johnw]

Now, don't get me wrong, thats some good stuff alright, but I'm curious as to how this solves a clench-nailed situation. All you can really get at is the head of the nail after you pop its plug, which becomes rather difficult to clean without completely destroying the hole, and even then your just painting a little cold galvie over the smallest surface of the problem. If you could pull the fasteners, effectively re-galvanize them and put them back in that would be different, but in this case would require replanking the boat. Mind explaining a little further?

Flying Orca - You better, or just come visit! I've always got a bunk for you my friend. You can learn to cook on wood

James

Well, you could paint the topsides orange...

Like turning up the radio when the engine makes odd sounds.

[Bill Mercer]

There is a product known as Devcon-Z that works very well for stopping rust.
It is 92% pure zinc. A quart weighs about ten pounds. Once the rust has been cleaned off by sand blasting, rotery wire brush or scraping. The primer can be painted on and then sealed over with epoxy or epoxy and micro balloons.
http://snsvo3.seekandsource.com/apex...l/vopage3.html
Jay

But what about things like backbone timbers? There's got to be hundreds of pounds of 1929 iron holding her together, and things like this


make me think that more than painting over nail heads will be required. Probably lots of compromised wood. And all those lovely pieces of oak with their buried drifts like time bombs, waiting to rust and swell up.

[johnw]

this is why the oldest boats are often such good boats. No fool would go to the trouble of fixing a boat with this much wrong unless she was something special. And this one is.

[Jay Greer]

But what about things like backbone timbers? There's got to be hundreds of pounds of 1929 iron holding her together, and things like this


make me think that more than painting over nail heads will be required. Probably lots of compromised wood. And all those lovely pieces of oak with their buried drifts like time bombs, waiting to rust and swell up.

There is a point where things go beyond preventive maintenance. Then it is time for major surgery.
Jay

[TR]

No one undertakes this type of project because it's going to be easy or simple, or because it makes any financial sense. No one knows much about this particular boat and her overall condition until they've spent considerable time with her. You've got to pull some stuff apart, delve deep in the bilge, crawl into every nook, and stick nasty sharp pointy things in hundreds of cracks. Then you can start seriously arriving at a plan of work to be undertaken.

Yes the pictures look a bit hairy.....

1928 was a long time ago, she's held together nicely since then. Treated gently and given some love, she'll last a very long time yet. There are many ways to maintain a boat, the "put her in a shed and tear everything apart" method is only one. Traditional wooden boats lend themselves to having one piece replaced at a time, as money and materials become available. We have the materials and the manpower here in Silva Bay, all it takes is some time and dedication.

[Bill Mercer]

I'm not disputing that she's worth the effort--I think she is about the most beautiful cutter I've ever seen. I'm just thinking about what it would take. I suppose she's spent most of her life in cold water (England, BC), which ought to have slowed down any deterioration.

As I understand it, west coast workboats were iron fastened and lasted well, but they sometimes had softwood (doug fir) frames and timbers, I think, which I've read keeps the iron in better shape than oak.

[Bill Mercer]

Does anybody know what's happening with this boat now? Preferably with pictures!

I almost wanted to start a new thread for this, since the last reply on this one is me impugning the current structural integrity of the beast, but really, I love this boat! I just don't love rusty iron (or mild steel) in oak.

[Don Kurylko]

It is still listed for sale. I guess the deal fell through or is still under negotiation. I hope Stephen or Tad will update us.

[michigangeorge]

Cresset is indeed a lovely design which should be saved, but it seems to me that trying to "restore" that hull will be a waisted effort. I don't care what type of primer is used to stop the rust , there are just too many inaccessable places to get at all of it. Rust streaks are acceptable on a working vessel but Cresset is a Yacht and expected to look the part. A faster and ultimatly cheaper cure would be to strip her of everything salvageable and build a new hull - then you will have a vessel of value which will also be of interest to buyers in the future. To do less is for fools and dreamers! I know this because I was one :-(