Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Wagemaker Wolverine Ply-Lap

Our buddy Keith in Michigan came across a Wagemaker Wolverine Ply-Lap No. 1874 Offshore Catalina and offered it to us for a great price. We already had a full queue but found a new owner for it through our Small Boat Restoration Facebook Page.

Wagemaker made boats in Grand Rapids Michigan. The boat has a double hull of plywood and lapped plywood, very unique. She has found her way to a new home in Florida and we hope to see her out on the water after restoration.

From SBR 4: Jun 2014 -

From SBR 4: Jun 2014 -

From SBR 4: Jun 2014 -

From SBR 4: Jun 2014 -

From SBR 4: Jun 2014 -

From SBR 4: Jun 2014 -

From SBR 4: Jun 2014 -

From SBR 4: Jun 2014 -

Sunfish 5 Panel Sails

Older Sunfish sails, especially during the Alcort era, were 5 panel. Later sails are 6 panel.

From SBR 4: Jun 2014 -

This Sunfish sail was made by Ratsey and Lapthorne.

From SBR 4: Jun 2014 -

Ratsey and Lapthorn Sailmakers 1914

Ratsey and Lapthorn, 1914. The loft was on Schofield Street on City Island, in the Bronx, NY.

From SBR 4: Jun 2014 -

Monday, February 16, 2015

Sunfish Spar Caps

A good Winter project for a Sunfish is to the round forward boom cap to a newer style cap that has the tab on it. If you put the tab facing down it prevents the interlocking eyebolt from scratching the foredeck. And if you are getting into racing, the line for a cunningham can be run through the eye.

From SBR 4: Jun 2014 -

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Two Good Resources

Small Craft Advisor Magazine covers boats fit for the 25 foot and below crowd, looking for small, light and simple. One of two magazines I subscribe to, the other being WoodenBoat. (Update: Now we subscribe to Messing About In Boats as well).

From SBR 4: Jun 2014 -

Speaking of WoodenBoat, Issue 243 showed up today.

From SBR 4: Jun 2014 -

Super Sailfish and Wooden Sunfish Projects

The "Super" Sailfish (top) is the wooden big sister of the original wooden Sailfish made by Alcort. The Super Sailfish measures 13' 7" whereas the Sailfish was 11' 7". Boats were made at the factory and the Super Sailfish was also available as a kit. In later years plans were made for the Super Sailfish as well. Our Super Sailfish "Zsa Zsa" was acquired in Greer, SC in 2013 from a Craigslist transaction, she was living in a barn and before that had residence in Auburn, NY. She was very heavy at 130 pound and the hull plywood severely checked, so we did a little exploratory surgery to see what is going on inside. She appears to have had some work done at one time as frame doublers and foam were added, and not the good kind of foam. The keel is dry and split, and there is wet foam inside, but overall she can be repaired by removing the hull and foam, taking out the extra frame doublers, making a new keel and redoing the hull with marine ply.

But right now Zsa Zsa waits patiently with "Chip", a 1963 wooden Sunfish that we picked up in Marshvile, NC. Chip needs new hull plywood and a few parts, but overall is in great shape. We have gathered up period correct parts and just need some time for sanding and planking. Once the hull plywood comes off we plan to measure the frames as well, and reseal the interior with modern epoxy.

From SBR 4: Jun 2014 -

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Sunfish Parts: Special Delivery

Alan escaped NY for some warmer weather and dropped off a nice Sunfish rudder that he restored.

From SBR 4: Jun 2014 -

He gave me an Alcort box that once held the hardware for a Sunfish kit.

From SBR 4: Jun 2014 -

He also brought some wooden spars that I can trim down to use on a second wooden Sunfish restoration. It has a nice cloth sail that might be used on another project.

From SBR 4: Jun 2014 -

Monday, February 2, 2015

Sunfish Parts

Picked up some Sunfish parts, brought South from Michigan by Jim.

From SBR 4: Jun 2014 -

Notice the Sailfish on the Alcort tag.

From SBR 4: Jun 2014 -

Ratsey and Lapthorn were early sailmakers for Alcort.

From SBR 4: Jun 2014 -