Bulwarks

One of Shamrock's little problems is that when tying up, the mooring ropes are a tight fit between the deck and the bulwarks, especially if the rope is dry.

As the lower bulwark planks have already been removed and are to be renewed, the new planks are being reduced in width by one inch (2.5cm). This should overcome the problem.

These planks have been cut and are now being shaped ready for fitting. Nice work John.

Note

The planks were originally removed to ease access to the outer deck planks. It has also had the positive effect of greater ventilation when the winter covers are fitted.

Forward Deck

The caulking and sealing of the forward deck planks has now been completed. Rumour has it that it will now be posible to sit in the forward cabin when it is raining and not get wet!

Shaune and John are now working on getting a section of the after deck ready for the refitting of the bilge pump.

Meanwhile in the Boat Shed the removed center sections of bulwarks are being patched up and painted ready for refitting.

Deck Repair

Despite all the cold and wet weather the forward deck seams have been cleaned out. Not an easy job! These are now in the process of being re caulked, with oakum, and then sealed with stockholm tar.

Hot Tip.

To enable the tar to be payed evenly into the seams, without solidifying on the ladle, the ladle needs to be kept hotter than the molten tar. Also it makes the job a bit warmer on a cold day.

New Toy

We now have a new addition to the Boat Shed in the shape of a two man canoe. The facts as we know at the moment is that it was built in the 1960's by Rodgers of Plymouth. At some time it was damaged and the broken ribs have been replaced with oversized ones.

Compared with the Edwardian canoe we are already working on this one is rather heavy.

Extreme Woodworking

Now the Christmas holiday period is over Shaune and John are once again busy with Shamrocks winter maintenance.

A new forward section of the main hatch coaming has been shaped and is waiting to be fitted.

This is being delayed while rot on the port forward end of the coaming is removed and a new piece of timber scarfed in.

New Deck Planks

Winter Work

The winter covers have now been fitted with the forward section temporarily fitted to allow easy access to the forward deck. The first of the rotten deck planks have been removed, replaced, seams caulked and then sealed with stockholm tar. Three down, lots more to go.

Winter Cover

Sweeps, Alternative Use.

The list of things to do seems to be growing by the day and the removal of the center sections of the bulwarks presented a problem when trying to fit the winter covers. This has been solved with the lashing of the sweeps to the remaining bulwarks to bridge the gaps and then lashing the cover frame to the sweeps. It doesn't look pretty but seems to work!

Nancy Belle.

Nancy Belle has been moved to the bottom of the boat shed slipway, ready to be moved to the top and then covered for the winter.