Saturday, May 28, 2016

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Barbashela Log 24 May 16

24 May 16: Skipper removing remnants of the starboard garboard plank, caulking and square nails.


Skipper looking for waterline paint colors, she found some rusty brown under the grey.


We sprung a batten parallel to the top seam of the garboard in a fair curve up to stem, then took measurements every 2 feet from the bottom of the batten down to the bottom plank. Then we made a paper pattern and transferred the measurements to planking that was on the bending jig.



Skipper cutting the starboard garboard plak to rough shape.



Pulled measurements off the aft starboard plank by running a batten aft and measuring rise and run, and copied the measurements and forward piece onto a pattern for the port side.


Cut the port garboard from one board!


We took bevel angles at each station and transferred them to the bottom of the port garboard, then rough cut with a circular saw by changing the angle as we went. Then we trimmed the board on the boat by running an oscillating tool along the bottom, parallel to the bottom blank.


Trimmed the end of the plank with a Japanese pull saw.


Click here for Barbashela's full story.

Monday, May 23, 2016

Barbashela Log 23 May 16

23 May 16:

Skipper did some ergonomic testing on Barbashela, checking out oar lengths and heights for rowing thwarts. She was very excited to be in the boat!


Click here for the rest of Barbashela's story.

Winnie Log 23 May 16

Took the 1950s Alcort Standard Sailfish out for a morning sail, she performed beautifully in the light wind.


FMI: http://smallboatrestoration.blogspot.com/2016/02/1950s-alcort-sailfish-spray.html

Sunday, May 22, 2016

Tandem Sailboat Trailer

We used the runabout's trailer, some trailer guides and bunks to make a rack for the Sailfish Winnie, it worked. Now we'll get our trailer guy Eddie English to make us some streamlined crossbars to carry 2 boats when we want to.



Saturday, May 21, 2016

Bagdad FL Riverfest 2016

We got an invite to bring some boats to the first Bagdad FL Riverfest. The park was built on the site of an old sawmill and has great access for canoes and kayaks. Our 1953 Sunfish Zip and 1950s Sailfish Winnie got to attend this year.

Road trip!




Our friend Murray brought his sailing canoe.


Fred brought his motor launch...




and his Penobscot 14...



and his Weekend Skiff...



Sydney worked on her scaled down Weekend Skiff.



A CLC 17 built by Richard was in attendance...


and Andy and Jeri brought out their Stauter 14 sSemi V.



It was a good time and we hope we get to go in 2017.

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Zip gets a strip

Our 1953 Sunfish Zip got a cursory glance on the bottom when we restored her in 2013. There is a leak and we had some epoxy runs so we decided to strip the bottom, clean out the seams, recaulk and put on a fresh coat of Rustoleum Topside red.

We carefully removed the old paint with a belt sander and 40 grit, making sure to use light pressure and hold the sander flat. For the seams along the keel we used a putty knife and in some areas an oscillating tool to remove failed sealant.

Paint swatch test, we used Rustoleum Topside marine paint Bright Red, which is the color on the right bow and a small stripe over the Interlux Brightside Fire Red. The oil base in Rustoleum should condition the wood.


Zip had a date at the Bagdad Riverfest boat show. Those streaks are epoxy runs from where I put the West System for the sides on too thick in 2013, they had to go. The peeling seam compound in the keel also had to go, it appears to be polysulfide.


Belt sander with a light touch, 40 grit then 120. The shop vac with a HEPA filter hooks up to the belt sander, plus I wore a mask, goggles, hat, gloves and a long sleeve shirt...and pants. Putty knife to scrape out seam compound and clear a groove for Pettit Flexpoxy.


The seam compound peeled out easy....too easy, maybe the source of our leak.


Found a nice scarf on the port side bottom.


to be continued...



Zip Log 18 May 16

18 May 16:
1953 Alcort SunfishZip's bottom never got the full strip and paint, so we are going to spruce it up for the Bagdad Riverfest. Paint swatch test, we are going to use Rustoleum Topside marine paint Bright Red, which is the color on the right bow and a small stripe over the Interlux Brightside Fire Red. The oil base of the paint will help condition the wood.


Belt sander with a light touch, 40 grit then 120. The shop vac with a HEPA filter hooks up to the belt sander, plus I wore a mask, goggles, hat, gloves and a long sleeve shirt...and pants. Putty knife to scrape out seam compound and clear a groove for Pettit Flexpoxy.


Found a nice scarf on the port side bottom.


Thursday, May 12, 2016

Barbashela Log 12 May 16

12 May 16: Risers roughed in.


13 May 16: Worked on creating a healing space, atarted on a medicine wheel and garden. The wheel represents the cardinal directions, colors, and seasons. Also associated with the colors are the stages of beginning, plenty, protection and renewal and the 4 major medicines tobacco, cedar, sage and sweetgrass. The garden is planted with a lot of plants that keep pesky bugs away and provides food.



FMI: "Barabshela" a Rowboat of Captain Thomas Leathers' Design for Ms. Winnie Davis

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Barbashela Log 11 May 16

11 May 16: We hoped some epoxy would bond 2 riser pieces back together, but it was not to be. So we cut out the failed repair, and scarfed in a dutchman this shape.




The boat now has 2 complete seat risers!


FMI: "Barabshela" a Rowboat of Captain Thomas Leathers' Design for Ms. Winnie Davis