Wooden boat (launch) repair in Glos

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peterg

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Hello, not been on the YBW forums for a couple of years as we sold our Nimbus 31 and haven't had a boat since /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I am thinking of buying an old 12ft clinker launch (with Stuart Turner inboard) as a winter project. We live half a mile from the Severn near Gloucester and fancy something to potter about in that won't cost much as we can't afford anything else at the moment. The launch has been out of the water for 18 months and is described as having a couple of planks that may be a bit 'soft' - it's 250 miles away so I can't get there before purchase to inspect it - and it has no rudder although all the mechanism is there (it's a wheel bolted fore/aft on the port side).

Now, having never done any work on a wooden boat before, not done woodwork since school in 1968 /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif should I even consider this or am I being stupid (wouldn't be the first time) /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif and does anyone know of a company that could help by either doing the tricky wood stuff for me or at least advising me etc nearish to Gloucester? I'm fine with mechanicals etc but this wood thing is giving me nightmares and I don't want to spend money on something that will end up being advertised next year as an 'abandoned project' /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 
Personally I would never buy any boat without inspecting first.
If they admit to 1 soft plank there will probably be more and by the sound of your woodworking experience you will be needing professional advice. This will:
a) not be cheap.
b) will not be done when they say it will be.
Also bear in mind that once out of the water timber shrinks so expect the boat to take on quite a lot of water before the joints in the clinker seal.
 
If the planks are only 'soft', then by careful removal you'll have a pattern to work from to produce the new plank. With little apptitude for wood working, so long as you're reasonably practical then it shouldn't present too many problems. If you're still unsure of plank replacement, there are plenty of jobbing boat builders around, but it'll probably end up costing far more than you intend to pay for the boat.

Stuart Turners, mechanically are fine it's just the dreaded magneto's that are problematic - consider bypassing and fitting a standard ignition coil for reliability. If it's still somewhat recalcitrant, it's probably the crankcase seals. Try to see the engine running before purchase. If it doesn't, then just offer to tow it away - you'll probably be doing the current owner a favour!

As to buying a boat unseen, don't commit to purchase until you've had a chance to thoroughly examine it. Do the 250 miles (if you're convinced that it's the only boat suitable) but be prepared to drive home boatless.

All sound very 'Wind in the willows' stuff!!

Good luck.
 
OK I confess, it's on Ebay and the starting price is £400 with a Buy it Now price of £600 the launch is here so maybe it's overpriced but I haven't seen any other clinker built launches (which my wife has set her heart on us having after seeing a couple of putt-putt ones on the Hamble when we were based around there) for less than about £4k and a 'new build' 1930's replica one I found a while ago was £11k /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

It's for sale at Boulters Marine in Horning who seem to have a good reputation as far as I can find out. I asked a couple of questions and they seem honest enough about it, it's 12ft by 4ft approx and they think the engine's either 2 or 4hp....
 
Oh go on ! You'll enjoy it - I bought a twinkle twelve donkeys years ago for £30 & sold it several years later for £600 - all it took was a bit of elbow grease, loads of (heavenly) varnish & a bit of glue here & there. At the end of the day a load of firewood will cost you £100 - & you get an engine / conversation piece ! Or a chicken shed, they cost a few hundred too. A lovely winters project, just hope you've got room in the shed alonside the racer. Working with wood is brilliant for the soul especially when you work with metal / electronics / a desk all day long. Go to £500, more if you must.
Yours with envy, VF.
 
I'd give it a go, but I'd make a real effort to take a look first. Get hold of a copy of Peter Nicholson's "Surveying Small Craft" (from local library?) if you can.

In my case I can do the wood and the mechanicals terrify me, but if you can cope with a 1-1/2 hp Stuart then you should have a lot of fun here. Does not look too bad but will take a long time to get really clean.

One point is that if she is at Horning she will have been in fresh water, which can be a source of concern.

Plenty of books to read about what will be involved - I still reckon Michael Verney's books are as good as any.
 
So, if not this boat then where else can I look for a 12-18ft clinker launch with inboard up to £3k (absolute max)? I've Googled as much as I can and searched around but can't find any unless they're loads of money £11k or not in very good condition..like the one I found above /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
I\'ve got one.

16ft LOA, 6ft 6 ins beam, clinker larch on oak, built at IBBTC, Lowestoft, for the RNLI as a boarding boat, Yanmar 1 GM10 installed 2000 at which time she gained floors, bearers, false keel, rudder, engine box, etc.

Funily enough I reckon £3K is about right - but she is not for sale.

I spent years looking before converting her - they are scarce as hen's teeth!

I would tend to go with the Stuart petrol engine if you are mechanically competent (with magnetos - the rest of the engine is bullet proof! ) as the diesel in ours is horribly noisy.
 
Personally, I would leave it until the auction ends, it's quite likely that nobody will put in an offer. You can then talk to the guy and go and see it and agree a sensible price.

The first thing that needs doing is to get the trailer fixed and, pound to a penny, that will cost quite a bit! It could be difficult to get that job done at a distance. I would be more inclined to take a gamble if the trailer were Ok, but it could be a real headache getting it home.

It looks as if it could be a nice little boat, but you would certainly need to put in a fair bit of work.
 
no headache getting the lot home, I've a flatbed racecar trailer that I can load the lot (trailer and boat) onto strap it all down and drag it home /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I might just see if it sells at all though /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
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