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Just aquired a Windmill 15.5' sailboat. Plywood, hull # 101. The bottom is rotted out, I have the original plans with drawings for the stations. My plan is to make the station frames, put them in while she's upright, turn everything over and peel the bottom layer and install new plywood. It actually seems fairly straightforeward to me but was wondering if anyone else had done something like this. I would like the hull to be in original form, I doubt I'll become a serious class racer but the hull # makes me want to make her exact. I was told this boat won quite a few races in the sixties. The hull was glassed on the outside. Should I use epoxy to rebuild or go with Recorcinal glue and make her original? Thanks.
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Similar Situation
I am working on restoring a 1956 Enterprise. Am in the process of replacing two bottom panels an reparing some rot on one of the side panels. I didn't bother with any mold stations as I figured the new panels would form to the rocker of the bottom while they were attached to the keel and chines. Only problem I had was finding plywood of the correct thickness. I actually had to purchase slightly thicker, and route a rabbet around the keel/chine landings so that its finished placement would be flush with the remaining panels. Slight irregularities will be faired in. I am just at the point of attaching the new panels, which I will use PL Premium and screws. Countersinks will be filled with Famowood.
Take a look at the photo's I have posted of the "work in process". Feel free to email me with questions.
Good luck, and enjoy the work/boat.
Mark
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I have done this very same job, with a Windmill that had been left outside for a few years. I replaced the bottom, keel, transom, daggerboard well, and thwarts; chines, side panels and decks were intact.
Tom Lathrop may be along to answer questions, but in the meantime, here's how I did it:
Flipped the boat over and cut off the bottom and transom, taking care not to mess with the chine pieces. This got a little tricky because it was glassed on one side. Then I stripped / sanded off all the paint. At this point the boat was just the sides and side decks, so I had to brace it open like a pair of big parentheses.
Then I basically followed the instructions in the blueprints and building book, setting up stations inside the boat, adding thwarts, keel, and bottom. It was a great moment when I flipped it over and it looked like a real boat.
There's a Yahoo Group on Windmills and they can probably direct you to the building book as well as lots of advice.
Mine is still faster than nearly any other boat its size ... except for other Windmills. It's not race-competitive but is still a handful to sail.
Have fun! You've got the beginnings of a great boat there.Comment
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Re: new bottom on Windmill?
Hi Seth
I just aquired a WindMll Sailboat. It looks like it is in pretty good shape but I need to refinish the hull as it came sanded down. I am looking for a blueprint and manual on the windmill. Do know where I can find these? Thanks, CharlieComment
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Re: new bottom on Windmill?
Hi Jay
I just aquired a WindMll Sailboat. It looks like it is in pretty good shape but I need to refinish the hull as it came sanded down. I am looking for a blueprint and manual on the windmill. Do know where I can find these? Thanks, CharlieComment
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Re: new bottom on Windmill?
Investing in a new bottom for your Windmill sailboat can breathe new life into its sailing capabilities. With careful consideration of the best materials and techniques, you'll not only enhance its speed and stability but also increase your overall enjoyment on the water.Comment
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Re: new bottom on Windmill?
Hi Grimmster, welcome aboard!
Search the internet, there is likely a Windmill association.Comment
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