Mariner is getting a long needed work over.
As can be appreciated, wooden boats need regular care and maintenance and Mariner hasn't been really pulled out to get the major stuff done on her that she needed to have.
Built in the late 50's she has never been really seen as a Saturday racer when Gordon Jones owned her, but recently under Gerry Drysdales hands she showed good legs on Wednesdays. This, plus a love of all wooden boats, was enough to convince Brian Cross that it was a good idea to buy her and sail her. The first summer season told him she was fast, but his habit of tightening everything up made her weep at the seams copiously. So only one way to go. A refit. Under Brian's care she is getting a re-enforced bulkhead under the mast and another at the front of the cockpit presenting two strong frames that will tighten the boat up and stop her from twisting under load. At the same time, the caulking has been removed below the water line and the space left open, replaced by a lot of two pack and timber. The shrouds are coming in and the chain plates will be linked onto the new bulkhead under the mast to carry the load. Probably a good look at the shrouds and possibly a new sail or two might be in order, but this is simply wishful thinking on my part.
These images will be updated as Jindarra's have been, so keep your eyes open every two weeks or so.
Built in the late 50's she has never been really seen as a Saturday racer when Gordon Jones owned her, but recently under Gerry Drysdales hands she showed good legs on Wednesdays. This, plus a love of all wooden boats, was enough to convince Brian Cross that it was a good idea to buy her and sail her. The first summer season told him she was fast, but his habit of tightening everything up made her weep at the seams copiously. So only one way to go. A refit. Under Brian's care she is getting a re-enforced bulkhead under the mast and another at the front of the cockpit presenting two strong frames that will tighten the boat up and stop her from twisting under load. At the same time, the caulking has been removed below the water line and the space left open, replaced by a lot of two pack and timber. The shrouds are coming in and the chain plates will be linked onto the new bulkhead under the mast to carry the load. Probably a good look at the shrouds and possibly a new sail or two might be in order, but this is simply wishful thinking on my part.
These images will be updated as Jindarra's have been, so keep your eyes open every two weeks or so.
It's now the 18th of May and the hull is back in the water with no water inside. The inside of the boat has been stripped bare and more images will come to light shortly to show you Brian and Judy's work on her. Especially the clean up.
Other modifications will appear as well. I've been told what they are, but I'll let the camera tell the story as the changes occur.
Brian and Judy kindly provided the next three images as I was cavorting around on the river. The boat ready to go, the trip back to the pen and then inside the hull looking forward. Note that Brian has cleaned up the interior big time and is busily coving around each rib. Forward of the mast will be considered a "wet" area for storage of sails etc. and between the mast (and bulkhead) and the cockpit will be a "living area" with seats and stowage cupboards.
The next three 24/26 were taken by Brian to show the coving work he has currently been doing in the bow and center sections in the middle of June. Sealing every rib in and making it almost a work of art, Well ok Brian.... it is a work of art.
7th of July. More work on the internals. Lockie has finished the shift of the chain plates and has put in the first bulkhead under the forepart of the cabin. A little judicious trimming will see the entry into what Brian terms the "wet area" defined and the mast step will be rebuilt and replaced. Then the aft bulk head will be put in place defining the entry point into the cabin. Take a look at the fine work that Brian has put into the boat... resealing each rib (coving and repairing the same where necessary). The internal hull has been rubbed back to the point that Lockie jokingly laughed and said, "just slap on the varnish mate". I don't think Brian took him seriously as the undercoat went on shortly afterwards and two more coats will follow.
Up goes the mast.
In time honoured tradition, the skippers and crew gathered around to get Brian's mast back up on Wednesday the 16th of July.
With forethought Lockie had suggested that Wednesday would be a good day to do it and sure enough the bodies appeared like magic when the time came. I was occupied by another task ( Tehaha had arrived at SoPYC ) and I arrived just in time to get these images as the mast went up. The new bulkhead in front of the cockpit has been put in and has yet to be finished and the mast support is in place as well and looks good in timber.
With forethought Lockie had suggested that Wednesday would be a good day to do it and sure enough the bodies appeared like magic when the time came. I was occupied by another task ( Tehaha had arrived at SoPYC ) and I arrived just in time to get these images as the mast went up. The new bulkhead in front of the cockpit has been put in and has yet to be finished and the mast support is in place as well and looks good in timber.
Under the covers 30th of July and the 5th of August
30th July
It's been raining on and off for the last few weeks and the work on Mariner is now under the original cover that Mariner wears.
The work is really going on in the cabin area now with the bow set up as a wet area for sails, ropes, bags and whatever. The bunks have to be dropped in, but the cupboards have been put in place and the surfaces in the boat are being given their final lick of filler before the paint goes on. Brian has taken pity on me and installed a fine tuner for the main, when we need that extra inch to tighten the leech up. She's still riding high in the bow and the addition of sails and ropes may bring the bow down a little, but it will be a case of get her going and see what we have to do on her. BC estimates at least 3 weeks before we know what to do with her and I'll be hoping we don't get a roaring SW before the boat is trimmed and ready for battle. The first 5 photos deal with what has been said so far.
5th August
The next set of photo's in the sequence show the details of the work that have been done with an excellent job done with the floor boards in the cabin using the old bunk boards from the boat. The bunks are now in and the slot has been cut for access into the wet area and the small "cupboards" built in to the rear part of the cabin for the storage of gear ( I wonder if one could be converted to a wine rack? ) Above that provision for the electrics has been made and I believe the boat is to be rewired as part of her transformation. The battery box forms part of the companion way step and I've been told that the battery charger will be moved forward to a safe spot in the bows with the power cable up forward as well, with the cable close to the hatch for convenience when plugging her in over night.
18th of August
The cabin is now very much in final stages, with the work completed and the electric's sorted out. I've put the images that Brian sent on to me today at the end of the images below.
It's been raining on and off for the last few weeks and the work on Mariner is now under the original cover that Mariner wears.
The work is really going on in the cabin area now with the bow set up as a wet area for sails, ropes, bags and whatever. The bunks have to be dropped in, but the cupboards have been put in place and the surfaces in the boat are being given their final lick of filler before the paint goes on. Brian has taken pity on me and installed a fine tuner for the main, when we need that extra inch to tighten the leech up. She's still riding high in the bow and the addition of sails and ropes may bring the bow down a little, but it will be a case of get her going and see what we have to do on her. BC estimates at least 3 weeks before we know what to do with her and I'll be hoping we don't get a roaring SW before the boat is trimmed and ready for battle. The first 5 photos deal with what has been said so far.
5th August
The next set of photo's in the sequence show the details of the work that have been done with an excellent job done with the floor boards in the cabin using the old bunk boards from the boat. The bunks are now in and the slot has been cut for access into the wet area and the small "cupboards" built in to the rear part of the cabin for the storage of gear ( I wonder if one could be converted to a wine rack? ) Above that provision for the electrics has been made and I believe the boat is to be rewired as part of her transformation. The battery box forms part of the companion way step and I've been told that the battery charger will be moved forward to a safe spot in the bows with the power cable up forward as well, with the cable close to the hatch for convenience when plugging her in over night.
18th of August
The cabin is now very much in final stages, with the work completed and the electric's sorted out. I've put the images that Brian sent on to me today at the end of the images below.
Doing the topsides. ( The deck gets a work over )
Its late October and after a prang that tested the new plastic skin and found it in good order, Brian was due to go on holidays so he commissioned Lockie to do the decks. The images below will be added to as the work progresses. At this stage, the wood has been stripped back and several interesting holes have been gouged in the tops of the sides of the boat. I'll find out why shortly.
It's now early November and Lockie has explained that the holes were nothing more than cutting away a little dry rot, cleaning up cracks in the top plank and finding interesting bits of screws and what not that have been put into the wood. A strong membrane was placed on top of the deck and overlapped into the membrane on the rest of the hull. This was then given several coats of goop, allowed to set and then painted over. The result.... a watertight top. Judy and Brian then spent the last weekend restoring all the rubbing strakes and toe rails ready to be put on by David Locke and the last few images relate to the finished product and Brian presenting Bill Richards with a little something for all the help he has given over the last 6 months. Well done Bill!
It's now early November and Lockie has explained that the holes were nothing more than cutting away a little dry rot, cleaning up cracks in the top plank and finding interesting bits of screws and what not that have been put into the wood. A strong membrane was placed on top of the deck and overlapped into the membrane on the rest of the hull. This was then given several coats of goop, allowed to set and then painted over. The result.... a watertight top. Judy and Brian then spent the last weekend restoring all the rubbing strakes and toe rails ready to be put on by David Locke and the last few images relate to the finished product and Brian presenting Bill Richards with a little something for all the help he has given over the last 6 months. Well done Bill!
Well it's been a little bit of time since the last report but......
We've got new sails.
It took Brian a bit of time, but he finally ordered these new molded sails from One Sails and they came along on the 15th of April 2015. Lord knows what they cost, but they are the bees knees and every sailor in the club is looking at us sideways and saying "these.... on an H28? ".
Yep and they work. First day out with the sail maker on board we pounded the fleet and made an impressive debut for the new outfit.
Mind you since then it's been a steep learning curve (see the on the water-in the bar blog for details), but they work and have given us the ability to hold our own and even stay ahead of Swiftsure Saga and The First Jindarra with their tape drive sails. A big help.
It took Brian a bit of time, but he finally ordered these new molded sails from One Sails and they came along on the 15th of April 2015. Lord knows what they cost, but they are the bees knees and every sailor in the club is looking at us sideways and saying "these.... on an H28? ".
Yep and they work. First day out with the sail maker on board we pounded the fleet and made an impressive debut for the new outfit.
Mind you since then it's been a steep learning curve (see the on the water-in the bar blog for details), but they work and have given us the ability to hold our own and even stay ahead of Swiftsure Saga and The First Jindarra with their tape drive sails. A big help.