Help! new project but old boat, 22ft Clinker cabin

[Mr-Clinker]

Hello, This is first ever forum and first ever boat project!!!
I have attached some pictures of my lovely boat, my project was to restore her, BUT it is look more like rebuilding her.
I am looking and hoping for any advice I can get from my pictures, I am keeping a personnel diary of pics, costs, hours etc so I will be asking lots of questions, some might seem silly or basic to you but I want to do it right.
My first lot of questions follows below, nautical phrases will follow as I learn more.
1. Where the hell do I start?
2. I am getting scared as I have found 3 rotten planks deep down the hull, will this be a problem to replace?
3. What is the best wood to use for different jobs like planks? if I make new ribs laminated what wood is best?
4. From the pictures what angle do I start? replacing the planks? stripping the inside varnish? or other?
5. This project could take me about a year with my work etc and I want to do it right, so how do I work with the wood drying out? what is the best glues, do I leave a allowance for swelling etc?


I am going to take some pictures of the supports I am using and if you could let me know if this is ok, as I do not want to damage or twist the hull.

The gentleman that sold me this boat, owned her for 35 years and I promised him to do it justice! so please help, I have bought all the books etc and been round boats most of my life but I just feel a little bit lost at the moment.

I look forward to hearing everyones veiws and advice.
Many thanks in advance
Steve

 

[Peterduck]

Settle in for a long ride. I would guess that it will take closer to 5 years, but it is all fixable. Don't ask where to start, you've already started. Soft planks can be removed and replaced; don't be too intimidated by that. Deal with the whole by breaking it down into single jobs which you can easily get your head around. Make a list of tasks that you can see. Others will appear as you go on, to be slotted into the main list at appropriate places. You've done the first one, removing the cabin and deck. Keep cleaning up as you go; a clean worksite is much more pleasant to work in, as well as being safer. You're going to buy an awful lot of stuff, but some of it will appear as bargains long before you will need it. Don't wait until you need it, grab it when it is available. There is a whole lot more, but that will do for now from me.
Peter.

 

[EastCoastChris]

Good luck, you've got quite a project there!

I'd suggest first step is a good tidy up, then identify as much rotting timber as you can find. The rotted timber will need removing to stop it spreading, that will look fairly drastic, but the damage is already done. Once things are stabilised the only way is up!

Chris

 

[Mr-Clinker]

Thank you

I am a chef so I do like to work clean and tidy, I just took the pictures while in service
So thank you for your advice so far, time is not a problem so if it takes 5 or 10 years that is fine, the main thing is that I do it right, learn and still enjoy it.

So what I can tell for you both is, get rid of any rotten/soft wood, clear the boat throughout and then form some sort of plan on how to aproach the development of her? does this include stripping all the varnish and paint? will she dry out to much? do I replace the planks before stripping? The planks I remove should I take to the timber merchant to find out what wood it is? is seasoned or unseasoned best as it will be a few years before she sees the sea?

Also I have you will see some pictures of the support legs, are these ok? will they twist or damage the hull? any tips?
Also this thread will be repeated I think as I did another 1 because I did not see it told you all I am new to this.


Thanks again

 

[KenMcCulloch]

If you have time time and the price of the course I recommend the 1 week wooden boat restoration course at the Boat Building Academy in Lyme Regis. http://www.boatbuildingacademy.com/pdf/2010ShortCourseProgramme.pdf
I did this last year and learned a lot as well as thoroughly enjoying the week. Renew the ribs that need replacing before taking out too many rotten planks.

 

[cliffordpope]

I can't see from the pictures what kind of cover you have. From experience and observation of others a really secure frame with a heavy duty tarpaulin held well clear of the boat is vital. You need to create a kind of large windproof tent. You want it to be snug and inviting even on a cold winter evening. But leave it well ventilated when you are not working.

Rig up some decent lighting.

Get a powerful vacuum - don't rely on using the domestic one - you will choke it and wreck it and not be popular!

I think I'd build a simple timber double V-shaped cradle. Wedged in props have a habit of falling out once you start walking inside, banging, hammering, weakening the structure before you start reconstructing.

 

[Peterduck]

Yes, I would remove allthe paint and varnish so that you are working with consistent conditions throughout the boat. Drying out is not the 'bete-noir' that many fear it to be. Some planks, especially near the forefoot and the tuck will need steaming or boiling because of the twist involved. These should be as wet as possible, as the steaming/boiling process seasons the wood PDQ. There should also be no run-out of the grain in these planks, or they will fail during fitting. I endorse Clifford Pope's comments re shoring. Stout frames under the boat will also be out of your way, except when you are working under there.
Peter.

 

[Mr-Clinker]

Thanks Again.

All great and helpful info, just what I need. I will keep you all posted with pictures and more questions as I go on my maiden boat restoration project.
Thanks again for your time

 

[EastCoastChris]

I think if you were hoping to get her into the water next season, then drying out might be something to worry about. Given that you are talking of taking at least a couple of years to do the work, she is going to dry out in that time no matter what. It's something you will have to accept will happen rather than being something to worry about.

Given the time you are planning on spending I would agree with the suggestion of taking the time to do a course or doing lots of background reading.

Making a good cradle and erecting a decent cover you can work under will both be good investments at the start of your project that you won't regret. You might find this thread useful for cover ideas, although for your project you'll probably want something free standing that doesn't rest on the boat.

Chris

 

[Kilter]

Have a word with this guy: http://www.ybw.com/forums/member.php?u=17093