What a lucky find!! ... no, not a boat!

[Forbsie]

I drove down to the boathouse today to drop off some stuff to put on my boat tomorrow. As I was coming out, I noticed that they were clearing the house next door that belonged to the late builder of the Sharpie that I did up for Discovery Real Time. There was a big pile of stuff beside the bonfire in the back garden including some books that I asked if I could look through. I found a few old Thames Guides and a booklet written by Arthur Romney Green, the designer/craftsman under whom Sandy served his apprenticeship. (Sorry, this is getting a bit confusing)

Anyway, I also left there with a book on Ships Joinery (1923), Pelican book of Cruising (1952), Ship & Boat Builder Annual Review 1952 and the piece de resistance, the 11th edition of Dixon Kemp's Manual of Yacht & Boat Sailing and Architecture (Plates). For those that don't know, this is a book of yacht plans from 1913. On searching Abe Books for the text volume I discovered that this one is available for $404! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

On speaking with the nephew I discovered that they have also found his Design Book and Sail Plan that he had produced for the construction of the Sharpie and they are going to send them to me. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Sixpence]

Going to look at an old timber vessel (big one) over the weekend Forbsie , any advice gratefully accepted . Please . /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Forbsie]

Dave, I am probably the LEAST experienced when it comes to wooden boats, so for advice I would defer to my mentors on this forum. The only bit I'll offer:-

EYES WIDE OPEN!! /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[Captain Coochie]

Is that the 82' one ? Dont forget to take your camera and post lots of pics .

 

[Mirelle]

that\'s the Linton Hope edition of Dixon Kemp...

...which is the best and most sought-after one. My copy has a couple of plates missing so I got it for a reasonable price - £60 as I recall. You can pick up the companion "text" volume fairly easily.

It's got my father's first boat in it:

"Bubble", RCC "B" class canoe, found in a back garden by my father when he was 19, in 1922 - he restored her and sailed her from Kingston-on-Thames to Cambridge!

 

[BarryH]

Thats rather sad Forbsie. Sorry to hear the old chap has passed away...I didn't know. There must have been a wealth of information that went with him. Good to hear you saved a little bit....how much went up in smoke?

 

[Sixpence]

Looking her over tomorrow and will take pics , but who should I turn to for wood advice , I'm told she hasn't moved for 40 years and is leaking between the planking fore and aft only , sounds to me like a re-caulking job , but any opinions ? . Yes she is afloat /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[trouville]

A very large wooden boat will entail a lot of work. If shes sound to start with still a lot of work, but if she needs overhauling the theres a lot of work and expense.

A large wooden boat if origanaly well built will last a very very long time but still may not be in good condition, If you want to live aboard or gently move her no doubt she might last a long time more. If you want to sail her then it could be expensive!!

What do you want to do to her?? And what is she??

 

[Sixpence]

Ultimately I'm looking at liveaboard . I know it's going to be a lot of work and expense , and if I thought I could, I would refit her as she was originally , with mast and sail , however , I'm more realistic to a point . She has been engined in the past , there is evidence of mountings , and she has a stern tube, so I would be happier to fit with an engine rather than mast.

 

[Captain Coochie]

I can give some advice but like i said before im not a boat builder im a Carpenter and Joiner .
I can also get good rates on timber that will save you a few quid .
Erm .......... Pics ?????? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Sixpence]

Check out the new post re this , she's a beaut , still composing the post now