Hillyard 9-tonner

[grumpydog]

I would like to thank all of you who suggested boats to me when I was looking around for a project to restore. We (there are five of us in our syndicate) have finally found our pigeon. It's a 9-ton Hillyard, aft-cockpit, canoe-sterned, built in 1932 of pitch pine on oak. She's bermudan rigged with two foresails. The hull is basically sound (needs a little work here and there), the deadwood's a little soft, and the interior is a mess. So, after all my posts, after all the traipsing around the internet and around the country, going to see sorry boats rotting in back gardens and driveways, it seems that at last, my struggles have finally begun.

 

[Mirelle]

Congratulations.

You should reach the point of utter despair in about 18 months time.

After that, it just gets better.

PS - buy a big supply of tie on labels. It is amazing how many bits you forget about!

 

[Kristal]

So true!

Still, in my opinion the interior is the fun bit. Trying to cunningly fit loads of useful things into a tiny space can be awfully rewarding, I find.

Where are you going to keep her whilst the work goes ahead? As another London-based owner of a high-maintenance girl, I've only just started to figure out how to a) keep up with the workload and b) keep her close enough not to worry myself silly all the time. Then again, I seem to be one of the few people who enjoy sailing on the Thames, so that's half the battle...

Good luck with it all, and stay on the forum to keep us up to date, perhaps with pictures?

/<

 

[grumpydog]

Re: So true!

Peter Leonard's yard on Denton Island, Newhaven. This is nearly three hours from Camden, where I live, but two of our number live nearby in Lewes. I will provide updates when I can work out how to attach a photo!

 

[hannahman]

Many congrats on your purchase.
Keep us posted on the progress of the restoration.
If you aren't already a member of the Hillyard Owners Association I'd suggest you join. There are lots of people you could exchange ideas with, and several meet-ups a year. Also the Association would love to hear about the restoration.

Doug

 

[RupertW]

Re: So true!

Excellent, I'll keep an eye out for her - my boat is in Newhaven marina but I get all my work done at Peter Leonards. I don't find them particularly cheap but they do a very good job and keep you informed.

I've always had a soft spot for Hilyards since keeping an old Maurice Griffiths at Littlehampton, which was full of Hilyard's at the time.

 

[Gordonmc]

Good choice... but then I may be a tad biased as owner of an 8 ton Hillyard with what sounds like the same configuration as yours.
I have had to do suprisingly little to the boat despite her being abandoned for several years before I took her on. There are some before and afters at: http://www.yachtsite.co.uk/gallery/flap?&page=1
Structurally the bilge-plates were shot and I had new ones made up in heavier boiler plate with reinforced rims. The only wood replaced were rubbing strakes, allthough I did consider replacing mid-hull planks where the chainplate bolts had softened the mahogany. Instead I graved in harder Iroko under advice and that seems to have sorted the problem.
I am keen to see some pics and learn what you plan for the interior. I have made some improvements, but went shy on a major lay-out change.
Best of luck and... get the pics in!