grounded Posted February 27, 2021 Share Posted February 27, 2021 I stand completely in awe of the meticulous detail and finish of this restoration. I have undertaken a couple of ground up, nut and bolt, total restorations of cars (Triumph Vitesse Mk2 and Triumph Spitfire Mk3) but this is a labour of love which leaves me just shaking my head. "Respect" as the younger generation say. Chris 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Posted March 3, 2021 Author Share Posted March 3, 2021 With the inside looking good its time to start on the outside of the coach roof. I start by trimming the excess ply at the edges and shape the overhang at the front. you can see from the offcuts the layers of ply and that they are tight together. After trimming the sides square I next round the edges to an ascetically pleasing shape, I make and use a template to make sure the edges are the same shape all round. Happy with the sides I turn my attention to the overhang at the front, I cut 40 softwood wedges and glue them under the overhang then fit a sheet of 4mm ply under to give me a strong but visually pleasing finish to the roof. The roof is now ready for its epoxy covering, My epoxy of choice is the Wests system with its various additives for different applications. First we fill the screw heads and joints with resin mixed with 407 a low density filler. Brown in color. When set the roof is sanded back ready for the covering. The sides are covered with plastic for protection. I use a 200gram plain weave glass fiber cloth which is cut to size and rolled back on its cardboard tube. I use a roller to apply the resin and a squeegee to remove air bubbles and any excess glue. I cover the entire roof with resin which is mixed with a small amount of 406 Colloidal silica this will turn the resin into more of a glue. I then roll out the woven fabric across the roof. With the first section laid I use the squeegee to smooth out and wrinkles and draw the resin through the cloth. This stage is not good for your back!! The next strip is laid on using the same method. This is left to set over night. The next day we give the roof its final coat of resin I use the same wests resin however this time I add the 409 microsphere blend this bulks up the resin making it easy to cover the cloth with a good thick coat of resin and is easy to sand when set, it is mixed to the consistency of Ketchup and is applied using my squeegee to spread it evenly. 12 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Posted April 19, 2021 Author Share Posted April 19, 2021 Its been a little while since my last post, mainly due to a heavy work load and the need to press on with the restoration if we want to use her this summer. The coach roof is now ready for paint. First we sand it back flat and fill any imperfections followed by three undercoats and two top coats. That's the coach roof pretty much complete. Moving back to the inside, next on the list is the window hoppers, there are four in total and due to the curvature of the cabin sides every side section is a different size with different angles. First I plane a board to the required thickness and cut out eight side sections slightly larger than needed. I fix the first piece in situ temporarily. Next I hold the glass against this piece which will then give me the size of the other end. This process is repeated until I have all eight cut to size. These are now sanded and fixed temporarily to a batten to allow all sides to be varnished at the same time. These when fitted will have a vertical batten to hold the glass in place and a top rail to hold the curtain rail, all varnished before fitting. And with the top rails fitted. My attention now turns to the small bulkhead at the bow which forms the chain locker. As before I make a template from scrap ply. I cut out the ply including a hatch for access to the locker. This is varnished before fitting. The hatch opening is trimmed with what is called a cock bead, this is a j shaped timber bead which covers the raw edge and gives a nice finish to the panel. I make enough to go round the draws in the forward berths at the same time. 13 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Posted June 29, 2021 Author Share Posted June 29, 2021 Its been a while since my last update, my last post was in April and time was ticking away and we still had a lot to do if we were going to get her back in the water by mid May. The focus was to crack on with the furniture, the plan was to keep the layout as per the original but with a bit of a lift in quality. First in line was the berth fronts there is a drawer in each, luckily in my workshop I had some old good quality Mahogany fronted drawers which had been removed from a ship that had been scrapped. I striped them down and sanded each piece. The berth fronts were cut to size and varnished, I then cut out the drawer openings and fitted a small cock bead around the opening. The berth fronts are now ready to install. The base of the berths sit on a Mahogany strip which forms a border for the floor to butt up to, this stops the floor from scratching the berth face when lifted. Next on the list are the numerus doors and frames. we need a door and frame for the heads, two tall cupboard doors and frames, a pair of doors below the sink and a small pair behind the sink. The frames are made from Mahogany and either morticed and tenoned together or half lapped for the smaller ones. The doors are made from marine ply and edge lipped in Mahogany. 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Posted June 30, 2021 Author Share Posted June 30, 2021 With the doors edge lipped and the frames assembled, I chop the hinges in and hang the doors on the bench. its a lot easier than fitting them on board. The tall cupboards need infill panels to the top and bottom of the frames these are also fitted on the bench. Next I dry fit them on board before removal for varnishing them. The main doors to the forward cabin are the originals but re-varnished, but a new frame was required. Happy that everything fits the doors are removed and handed over to the varnishing department ( my wife) It might be a relatively small cabin but it also required a lot of moldings, these are all varnished before fitting. Next is the flooring at first glance they look ok however when you turn them over you can see the original blockboard is breaking down. Its done well to survive 54 years! We use the same marine grade ply to make new panels not just for the forward cabin but throughout the boat. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Posted July 1, 2021 Author Share Posted July 1, 2021 With the interior coming together nicely Chris is busy varnishing the cabin sides and painting the decks. The decks are scraped to remove any loose paint or dirt, the toe rails and cant rails taped, then on with the paint. its easier to remove the aft cockpit locker tops and paint them while they are removed. With the decks complete Chris presses on with sanding and painting the hull. When the hull is dry a quick coat of antifoul is next on the list. Back inside the door frames get varnished, The pipe boxing behind the toilet is constructed and laminated with more of the blue Formica and will be capped off with Mahogany. Please ignore some of the dates in the pictures, I didn't take enough pictures at the time of construction so I had to take some more yesterday to show how some of the items were completed. The waste from the sink is connected to the hull fitting ready to complete the cupboard. From the main saloon to the floor in the forward cabin we have approximately a 400mm drop I build a step across, this has a removable top to give access to the bilge pump and hides the pipe work to the heater matrix. And complete. The original sink area was just open above and below however we decided to infill these areas for a tidier finish. And all finished off with a period shaving mirror. 10 1 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanetAnne Posted July 1, 2021 Share Posted July 1, 2021 That is absolutely stunning Robin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karizma Posted July 1, 2021 Share Posted July 1, 2021 great skills - I have no idea how you do all that, but certainly appreciate the attention to detail & workman ship. thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lulu Posted July 1, 2021 Share Posted July 1, 2021 Im so envious of that varnishing. I want to learn how to do that! What paint do you use for the deck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Posted July 2, 2021 Author Share Posted July 2, 2021 Hi Guys Thanks for all the positive comments. Lulu The paint we use for the decks is International Interdeck it covers very well. and i haven't forgotten about your request for a step by step guide to varnishing. Robin 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanetAnne Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 15 hours ago, Lulu said: Im so envious of that varnishing. I want to learn how to do that! What paint do you use for the deck? Ask him what that mirror cost, go on Sam, I dare you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lulu Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 20 minutes ago, JanetAnne said: Ask him what that mirror cost, go on Sam, I dare you. Robin, how much did that mirror cost? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Posted July 2, 2021 Author Share Posted July 2, 2021 1 hour ago, JanetAnne said: Ask him what that mirror cost, go on Sam, I dare you. Hi Sam As I'm only just out of the dog house for this one i would not like to confess the exact amount on this forum however you could pay the mooring fees at Beccles Yacht Station for 24 days and nights and still have enough left over for an ice cream on your last day. My excuse was it was a makeup mirror and as such a present for my wife! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unclemike Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 3 minutes ago, Robin said: still have enough left over for an ice cream on your last day. not the size of janetannes ice cream tho. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanetAnne Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 46 minutes ago, unclemike said: not the size of janetannes ice cream tho. Oh I don't know.... twas a very expensive mirror 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadAmbition Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 Fantastic thread n photos. Tks so much for sharing this Griff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CambridgeCabby Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 If it’s a Perrin and Rowe mirror , which it looks like it is , then although it costs more than many other lesser offerings you can’t put a price on quality and by the standard of your craftsmanship and restoration nothing less would be worthy . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanetAnne Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 I have just realised.... I paid less for Janet Anne (the whole boat!) than that mirror cost 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turnoar Posted July 2, 2021 Share Posted July 2, 2021 I have just been reflecting on these latest comments.... if Herbert Woods had an all varnished boat in their fleet finished to Robins standard then I think Reflection of Light would be a fitting name. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadAmbition Posted July 3, 2021 Share Posted July 3, 2021 I’m not sure there will be be any Woodies afloat finished to Robins standards let alone a H.W’s example Griff 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Posted July 4, 2021 Author Share Posted July 4, 2021 We are still pressing on with the interior but I have just realized I haven't shown the exterior of the cabin coming together. We are now entering May and need to get her back in the water soon, so every spare hour is utilized. I mentioned earlier in the post, the entrance doors were the originals in a new frame they came up really nice and blend in very well. The Vee berths are complete and the back panels are covered with a felt type material to make it warmer to the touch when laid in the berth. (Its a lining fabric for campervans) The triangular section between the bunks get a varnished top and becomes the tool store. later on I intend to make plywood trays to slot in to hold all my tools and spares we carry on board. (probably next winter) And with the cushions fitted. Light fittings came from Lee at Jackson Marine, they cleaned up very nice and match the rest of the boat, four in total were needed. All the floor panels are carpeted and dropped in. Spot the mistake with the floor in the saloon? The helm came in for some treatment over the winter, The wheel got varnished and the brass polished, The seat was moved back 60mm to make it more comfortable but that meant I had to make side panels which hold the controls. With just a few minor bits and pieces to complete its time to get her in the water. She has been out of the water for about six months so we will keep her in the slings for a couple of days to let her take up. Its now about the 20th May so we get her through the lock on the 28th and enjoy the Bank holiday weekend for our first break. The Bank holiday turned out to to be a fantastic weekend with no problems with the boat. We have now used her every weekend to date and plan to do the the same through out the summer with the odd week thrown in for good measure. This was Phase 5 of the planned 5 winter phases planned for the complete restoration. we are over the moon with what we have achieved to date but i already have some up grades and modifications for next winter. If you see us on the river or moored up somewhere please give us a shout. but please don't think you can get away with a " nice boat" comment and walk on, that is just the trigger for me to start telling you all about the last five years, many a weary boater has had to be rescued by my wife with the phrase "Robin let them go they have got a life to be getting on with" I hope you have enjoyed our restoration and we plan to be back next winter with the upgrades. Robin & Chris 14 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tobster Posted July 6, 2021 Share Posted July 6, 2021 Absolutely stunning, I would be amazed if you don’t win the Beccles wooden boat show this year. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExSurveyor Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 Kingfisher looked beautiful going past Brundall Gardens just now, a stunning boat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTBoater Posted July 1, 2022 Share Posted July 1, 2022 Just discovered that the people next door to me at broadsedge had her before she was called wood nymph. Lovely people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpnut Posted July 1, 2022 Share Posted July 1, 2022 I saw kingfisher up at coltishall in early june. I saw her by the Norfolk mead mooring, then she came up to the lock where I was moored but you’d gone again by the time I came back from a walk. I commented to my friend what a beautiful boat, stunning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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