The major restoration of Chance (Token) James Silver Western Isles Motor sailer
- Thread starter jstarmarine
- Start date
Ed Weiss
New Member
If you can get a good cover and need an easy and probably cheap way to anchor it, try and get some IBC containers. We've used these for anchoring stages for gigs into place. They can quite often be found as a waste product once empty, and whilst empty they are easy to move. Once you fill them with water, they weigh ( literally) a tonne, so make great ground anchors. Pump the water out when done.....
AntarcticPilot
Well-Known Member
But that water is the same density as the water you're mooring in, so the weight of water doesn't help for mooring at all! All that's holding you is the weight of the IBC!
lusitano
Well-Known Member
Errm....I think the OP is referring to securing the cover "on land."
It will be a few more weeks before Chance is afloat
jstarmarine
Well-Known Member
It is going to be more than a few weeks, more like a few years.
AntarcticPilot
Well-Known Member
Sorry - I thought I was in another thread!
jstarmarine
Well-Known Member
Let the jigsaw puzzle building begin with this pile of wood that came out of Chance over three years ago. Some will go back into her while other parts will be made a new depending on their condition. As National Historic Ships UK listed vessel we will do our best to preserve as much of the original as possible and only renew what is necessary while maintaining the original interior as possible. We are doing the same to the hull and superstructure of chance_restoration1948. Follow us as we tackle this massive task ahead of us over the coming months and possibly years as we piece together the fabric of this historic vessel.
Tamar
Well-Known Member
Good luck
jstarmarine
Well-Known Member
Because chancerestoration_1948 is on the National Historic Ships UK register we are taking great in keeping as much of the original fabric of Chance that it is possible to keep and only replacing the minimum amount that is needed to be replaced.
Like with all good jigsaw puzzles you have to have a plan.
This jigsaw puzzle is a little different in that not all the parts are still here to finish the jigsaw puzzle. So we will have to make new parts as we go along putting back the parts we do have and making ne parts to match the old parts as much as is possible to do.
This cupboard front is a good case in that it is almost all there apart from the top rail. Which some how along the way as been lost or misplaced fro the moment.
This galley front however, is all there and needs a bit of TLC along the top and the bottom to make new joints to fix it together as one complete front and so it can go back in the galley area of Chance once this part is fixed together again.
This is the top photo with more of the parts found in the workshop apart from the top rail which appears to have gone walkabout some where. The side rails will have to be remade as they are both broken or damaged in one way or another. However, the main parts are in good condition and will be able to be reused once they have been degreased and the old varnish is removed from the panel we are going to reuse.
There are still a number of piles of parts to go through, however, the jigsaw puzzle is letting up its secrets a bit at a time and more of the parts are put to together into what they were originally laid out as before we removed them from the interior of Chance.
Like with all good jigsaw puzzles you have to have a plan.
This jigsaw puzzle is a little different in that not all the parts are still here to finish the jigsaw puzzle. So we will have to make new parts as we go along putting back the parts we do have and making ne parts to match the old parts as much as is possible to do.
This cupboard front is a good case in that it is almost all there apart from the top rail. Which some how along the way as been lost or misplaced fro the moment.
This galley front however, is all there and needs a bit of TLC along the top and the bottom to make new joints to fix it together as one complete front and so it can go back in the galley area of Chance once this part is fixed together again.
This is the top photo with more of the parts found in the workshop apart from the top rail which appears to have gone walkabout some where. The side rails will have to be remade as they are both broken or damaged in one way or another. However, the main parts are in good condition and will be able to be reused once they have been degreased and the old varnish is removed from the panel we are going to reuse.
There are still a number of piles of parts to go through, however, the jigsaw puzzle is letting up its secrets a bit at a time and more of the parts are put to together into what they were originally laid out as before we removed them from the interior of Chance.
jstarmarine
Well-Known Member
Having remove the varnish off the face side of the galley front where the sink was originally fitted. It is time to sort out fitting the four parts together so that they can be fitted back in the galley area in one part and not four parts.
There is going to be a bit of re-working of some parts such as the top corner where it is a bit rotten. The top rail will be removed and a new rail fitted and the mahogany on the face will have a piece fitted to replace the rotten top corner, apart from this small piece the rest of the galley front is in good condition and will only need a good painting on the back face and the front will need several coats of varnish.
Another bit of re-working will be these two holes which will have to have grading pieces fitted to get rid of these holes and a pump fitted in keeping with the time of the boat was build in 1948.
There is going to be a bit of re-working of some parts such as the top corner where it is a bit rotten. The top rail will be removed and a new rail fitted and the mahogany on the face will have a piece fitted to replace the rotten top corner, apart from this small piece the rest of the galley front is in good condition and will only need a good painting on the back face and the front will need several coats of varnish.
Another bit of re-working will be these two holes which will have to have grading pieces fitted to get rid of these holes and a pump fitted in keeping with the time of the boat was build in 1948.
jstarmarine
Well-Known Member
Having remove the varnish off the face side of the galley front where the sink was originally fitted. It is time to sort out fitting the four parts together so that they can be fitted back in the galley area in one part and not four parts.
There is going to be a bit of re-working of some parts such as the top corner where it is a bit rotten. The top rail will be removed and a new rail fitted and the mahogany on the face will have a piece fitted to replace the rotten top corner, apart from this small piece the rest of the galley front is in good condition and will only need a good painting on the back face and the front will need several coats of varnish.
Another bit of re-working will be these two holes which will have to have grading pieces fitted to get rid of these holes and a pump fitted in keeping with the time of the boat was build in 1948.
There is going to be a bit of re-working of some parts such as the top corner where it is a bit rotten. The top rail will be removed and a new rail fitted and the mahogany on the face will have a piece fitted to replace the rotten top corner, apart from this small piece the rest of the galley front is in good condition and will only need a good painting on the back face and the front will need several coats of varnish.
Another bit of re-working will be these two holes which will have to have grading pieces fitted to get rid of these holes and a pump fitted in keeping with the time of the boat was build in 1948.
jstarmarine
Well-Known Member
After we removed the old rotten ends of the two pieces that were affected it was time to cut the ends and glue new pieces on the ends.
Thankfully the amount of rotten wood was small and just two small pieces of Mahogany were needed to be found from the pile of old mahogany which was of the similar age to the original mahogany used in the construction of the galley front.
Clamping in two directions will help keep the new pieces in the correct position while the glue cures and we are able to remove the clamps and plane and sand the new pieces to match the original parts.
These two holes are going to be interesting to cover. A diamond shaped grating piece over the two holes and then a good planing and sanding an a small amount of mahogany staining and this will be as good as new.
Thankfully the amount of rotten wood was small and just two small pieces of Mahogany were needed to be found from the pile of old mahogany which was of the similar age to the original mahogany used in the construction of the galley front.
Clamping in two directions will help keep the new pieces in the correct position while the glue cures and we are able to remove the clamps and plane and sand the new pieces to match the original parts.
These two holes are going to be interesting to cover. A diamond shaped grating piece over the two holes and then a good planing and sanding an a small amount of mahogany staining and this will be as good as new.
jstarmarine
Well-Known Member
The starboard hand side galley unit now reconstructed again with the rotten corner repaired to match the rest of the galley front.
The top left hand corner now repaired and the bracing on the back now glued in position it is time to look at giving the whole of the galley front a quick sanding and make up some wooden plugs to go in the screw holes so as to hide the fixings once more.
Now that the galley front is together again in one piece it is going to be easier to router out the area where the two holes are in the right hand side which were where a pair of modern taps were fitted and which are not in keeping with the return to how the galley was originally made or used.
I now have to get the gallet doors from the pile of doors and refix them in place and then in time varnish the whole of the galley front.
The top left hand corner now repaired and the bracing on the back now glued in position it is time to look at giving the whole of the galley front a quick sanding and make up some wooden plugs to go in the screw holes so as to hide the fixings once more.
Now that the galley front is together again in one piece it is going to be easier to router out the area where the two holes are in the right hand side which were where a pair of modern taps were fitted and which are not in keeping with the return to how the galley was originally made or used.
I now have to get the gallet doors from the pile of doors and refix them in place and then in time varnish the whole of the galley front.
jstarmarine
Well-Known Member
The two parts that make up the corner as you go forward into the galley area in Chance.
There is a fair bit of oil that as got into the bottom edge of the galley front panels we are hoping to get rid of as much of this through cleaning with degreaser.
One of the panels that was up against the main cabin to galley bulkhead is rotten along part o its length the rest of the panel is ok so we are going to glue a new piece on this edge from the mahogany we have been able to source that is a good colour match to the original.
A bit of damage to the corner that will be sorted by letting in a piece along this edge before screwing the two halves together once the repairs are done to both halves.
The inside of the panels will be getting a fresh coat of white gloss before it is refitted in the boat in the galley.
The worktop is original and shows the marks of long usage over the years. We intend to continue to use this top as it is part of the character of the boat.
The underside which will be painted like the rest of the inside of the galley.
There is a fair bit of oil that as got into the bottom edge of the galley front panels we are hoping to get rid of as much of this through cleaning with degreaser.
One of the panels that was up against the main cabin to galley bulkhead is rotten along part o its length the rest of the panel is ok so we are going to glue a new piece on this edge from the mahogany we have been able to source that is a good colour match to the original.
A bit of damage to the corner that will be sorted by letting in a piece along this edge before screwing the two halves together once the repairs are done to both halves.
The inside of the panels will be getting a fresh coat of white gloss before it is refitted in the boat in the galley.
The worktop is original and shows the marks of long usage over the years. We intend to continue to use this top as it is part of the character of the boat.
The underside which will be painted like the rest of the inside of the galley.
jstarmarine
Well-Known Member
These are the surviving parts apart from the door which is on the shelf in the workshop.
The parts need a bit of work to get them back together. The work involves fixing the places where each of the parts fix together. They were taken apart without out much care. which is a pain. however, there a few places where the edges in places needs the small areas of rotten wood replacing before it is put back together again.
This is the hanging locker front at the bottom of the companionway steps into the main cabin. We will have to make a few new parts, as a few of them are broken and have pieces missing.
The missing part is the top rail in this photo just to the right of the sash clamp, the other part that needs replacing is the rail which is taped together with a bit of blue masking tape.
The main parts of this hanging locker front are made from large pieces of mahogany and are mortise and tenon jointed together
The whole of this hanging locker front is made up of a number of mortise and tenon joints. The door itself is the shape it is to clear the steps leading down into the main cabin and the triangle shaped piece beside the door is mortised into the vertical rail.
In this photo it is clearly seen that there are a number of mortise and tenon joints that make up the lower part of the side rails which will have to be made again in order to rebuild this part of the hanging locker front. So there is going to be a far amount of time spend on the mortise cutter cutting new mortises.
The parts need a bit of work to get them back together. The work involves fixing the places where each of the parts fix together. They were taken apart without out much care. which is a pain. however, there a few places where the edges in places needs the small areas of rotten wood replacing before it is put back together again.
This is the hanging locker front at the bottom of the companionway steps into the main cabin. We will have to make a few new parts, as a few of them are broken and have pieces missing.
The missing part is the top rail in this photo just to the right of the sash clamp, the other part that needs replacing is the rail which is taped together with a bit of blue masking tape.
The main parts of this hanging locker front are made from large pieces of mahogany and are mortise and tenon jointed together
The whole of this hanging locker front is made up of a number of mortise and tenon joints. The door itself is the shape it is to clear the steps leading down into the main cabin and the triangle shaped piece beside the door is mortised into the vertical rail.
In this photo it is clearly seen that there are a number of mortise and tenon joints that make up the lower part of the side rails which will have to be made again in order to rebuild this part of the hanging locker front. So there is going to be a far amount of time spend on the mortise cutter cutting new mortises.
jstarmarine
Well-Known Member
https://www.instagram.com/chance_restoration1948/
From the 1st of January we are starting a new YouTube Channel called Chance Reborn 2025. Giving Chance a Second Chance
Chance Reborn 2025. Giving Chance a Second Chance
This channel is going to show the rebuilding of Chance after 4 years of dismantling her. This will show how we will go above rebuilding this classic James A Silver Motor Sailer back to a sea going vessel once more.
From the 1st of January we are starting a new YouTube Channel called Chance Reborn 2025. Giving Chance a Second Chance
Chance Reborn 2025. Giving Chance a Second Chance
This channel is going to show the rebuilding of Chance after 4 years of dismantling her. This will show how we will go above rebuilding this classic James A Silver Motor Sailer back to a sea going vessel once more.
jstarmarine
Well-Known Member
Chance Reborn 2025. Giving Chance a Second Chance
As many of our followers know, Simon, his wife Tricia and their son Michael with the aid of Simon's brother John, have over the past 4 years has done a vast amount of work on getting Chance stripped down to a bare hull apart from Chance's main bulkheads and removing Chance's transom and much of the starboard side deck from the transom to the wheelhouse. To the point where Chance can start to be re-build.
Much of the early work has been back breaking and difficult at times has Chance was in Woodplumpton near Preston in Lancashire and we live in North Essex near Colchester. Also the fact that when we became Chance's latest owners and guardians it was in the height of the Covid Pandemic so we could not work on Chance at first until we were able to move freely and purchased a large caravan to use as a base of operations while we worked on Chance at very chance we had to get to Chance while Chance was in Woodplumpton.
This period of working on Chance lasted for about 18 months while we saved enough funds to transport Chance down to Walton on the Naze in Essex which is going to be Chance's home while we do her restoration and her re-launch.
Once we got Chance home to Essex we started upon her restoration, however, this got sidelined by a number of deaths in the family and also a couple of close friends who were supporters of our restoration of Chance.
So the restoration we had planned to take about 4 to 5 years as now become a restoration which is more likely to take 6 to 7 years to complete.
So we are now looking for a settled period of time in which to make a start on the project start in the New Year.
To this end we are re-naming the project Chance Reborn 2025 as it is going to be a re-born of our project and also ourselves as we move forward with this project.
From the 1st of January we are starting a new YouTube Channel called Chance Reborn 2025. Giving Chance a Second Chance
Chance Reborn 2025. Giving Chance a Second Chance
This channel is going to show the rebuilding of Chance after 4 years of dismantling her. This will show how we will go above rebuilding this classic James A Silver Motor Sailer back to a sea going vessel once more.
As many of our followers know, Simon, his wife Tricia and their son Michael with the aid of Simon's brother John, have over the past 4 years has done a vast amount of work on getting Chance stripped down to a bare hull apart from Chance's main bulkheads and removing Chance's transom and much of the starboard side deck from the transom to the wheelhouse. To the point where Chance can start to be re-build.
Much of the early work has been back breaking and difficult at times has Chance was in Woodplumpton near Preston in Lancashire and we live in North Essex near Colchester. Also the fact that when we became Chance's latest owners and guardians it was in the height of the Covid Pandemic so we could not work on Chance at first until we were able to move freely and purchased a large caravan to use as a base of operations while we worked on Chance at very chance we had to get to Chance while Chance was in Woodplumpton.
This period of working on Chance lasted for about 18 months while we saved enough funds to transport Chance down to Walton on the Naze in Essex which is going to be Chance's home while we do her restoration and her re-launch.
Once we got Chance home to Essex we started upon her restoration, however, this got sidelined by a number of deaths in the family and also a couple of close friends who were supporters of our restoration of Chance.
So the restoration we had planned to take about 4 to 5 years as now become a restoration which is more likely to take 6 to 7 years to complete.
So we are now looking for a settled period of time in which to make a start on the project start in the New Year.
To this end we are re-naming the project Chance Reborn 2025 as it is going to be a re-born of our project and also ourselves as we move forward with this project.
From the 1st of January we are starting a new YouTube Channel called Chance Reborn 2025. Giving Chance a Second Chance
Chance Reborn 2025. Giving Chance a Second Chance
This channel is going to show the rebuilding of Chance after 4 years of dismantling her. This will show how we will go above rebuilding this classic James A Silver Motor Sailer back to a sea going vessel once more.
scandalpete
New Member
Good luck. It will be a fascinating process.
Peter
jstarmarine
Well-Known Member
It sure will and it has been up to now after four years, here is to the next years.
Simon
Simon
jstarmarine
Well-Known Member
The highlighted parts are of the two Western Isles that were build by James A Silver.
One was called Jetta and the other was Chance. The only different between the two vessels was that Jetta was 48 feet 6 inches long and was built in 1939.
The second list shows Chance and was listed as 37feet 6 inches long.
However, when we have measured her Chance is 40 feet long. So there is a difference in who measured her then and complied the register.
Both Jetta nd Chance have had changes in Name before being called their original names again during their life times.
These are photos from the outside of Chance/Token when she was under going a restoration in the past.
These are photos of how Chance was before we started to strip her back to a bare hull so that we could get to her hull planking and the frames and ribs so that we could assess the work we needed to do to rebuild her structure.
One was called Jetta and the other was Chance. The only different between the two vessels was that Jetta was 48 feet 6 inches long and was built in 1939.
The second list shows Chance and was listed as 37feet 6 inches long.
However, when we have measured her Chance is 40 feet long. So there is a difference in who measured her then and complied the register.
Both Jetta nd Chance have had changes in Name before being called their original names again during their life times.
These are photos from the outside of Chance/Token when she was under going a restoration in the past.
These are photos of how Chance was before we started to strip her back to a bare hull so that we could get to her hull planking and the frames and ribs so that we could assess the work we needed to do to rebuild her structure.