Rake's Retreat

[JawsOrca]

Oh ...t.. That poor keel timber.. your dad is brave.. very brave... 

[Poppy]

Oh ...t.. That poor keel timber.. your dad is brave.. very brave... 

Bit of filler. That'll be all right 

[JawsOrca]

They gonna need a lot of filler... ;) 

(Steve (LadyP) now that's a weak keel  )

[ranworthbreeze]

Hi Chris,

Alan is correct your dad is taking on a lot of work; not only the keel but that damage to the starboard planks going aft and the condition of the bows, this is certainly going to be a labour of love.

Please keep us updated to your progress.

Regards

Alan

 

[grendel]

I think it all depends how much is left after being cut back to good wood, and what is available to make the damage good.

good project.

[grendel]

looking at it, is it possible the bigger engine was fitted by the navy during the war to give her a better turn of speed in her role, I would assume that the main engine on its own would be enough for the broads, with the smaller engines used for close manouvering.

Grendel

Edited October 18, 2015 by grendel
spelling

[Chris]

looking at it, is it possible the bigger engine was fitted by the navy during the war to give her a better turn of speed in her role, I would assume that the main engine on its own would be enough for the broads, with the smaller engines used for close manouvering.

Grendel

Grendal

She was originally fitted with a small single engine. During the war we believe she was then fitted with the outer engines to give her her speed. The single engine was then replaced in 1997 for the larger one that in her now. Certainly the single engine is going to be more than enough for broads work. But it will be interesting to see how she behaves with all three at work. I've never had a chance to experience a triple screw boat before so I'm looking forward to the day!

[Chris]

So my father is still busy with Rakes Retreat. The chain locker has been opened up to reveal a solid lump of rusty chain. This had to be broken up with a sledge hammer and thrown out of the window. The forward cabin has then been cleaned and painted ready to be fitted out.

[Chris]

Estrellita (now Rakes Retreat) was registered in the Lloyds Register of Yachts in 1939. She is registered to the owner Lewis K. Clayton London. She is also registered has having two petrol engines. One 4 cylinder and one two cylinder.

[Chris]

In June 1940 Estrellita is documented in the Ministry of War Transport list to have been commandeered by the Royal Navy. This was at the time of The Dunkirk evacuation, code-named Operation Dynamo, which took place between 27 May and 4 June 1940. We know at this time she still belonged to Mr L Clayton who was paid £12.10 for her use.

[Chris]

On the afternoon of the 3rd. August 1961 the motor - yacht " Rakes Retreat " which was owned by the television personality Hughie Green who was on board at the time, was seen to be having difficulties picking up a mooring buoy in Friar's Bay. The " Field Marshal and Mrs. Smuts " was therefore launched at 5.25 pm from the Penmon and Beaumaris lifeboat stations, Anglesey, and found that the yacht's engine had broken down. A line was passed across and the yacht was towed to safety.

[Chris]

Its been a while since I've updated you all on Rake's refit so thought I'd post a few up to date photos.

Bilges are all but finished and certainly looking much better. Forward cabin was opened up to gain access to the chain locker. This was found to have a solid mass of rusted chain which had to be chopped up to get it out of the boat! 

The galley has started to be pulled out ready to be replaced with something more original. The wall between the forward cabin and galley was very weak and not of any great quality so this has been pulled down and replaced ready for staining and varnishing.

Forward hatch has been taken off, cleaned up and replaced. Looking so much better.

The rear heads has been cleaned out ready for work to start on replacements.

The helm has been pulled apart. This is going to have a complete overhaul.

The original pictures of Rake's Retreat show a beautiful signal flag box. Whilst pulling the helm apart you can see where this used to be located. This will be refitted with original parts.

The original wheel has been restored to her former glory.

And to finish off Rake's Retreat will soon be renamed! She was commissioned as Estrallita in 1934 and the paperwork to put her back to her original name is being processed. 81 years later! Bad luck??? You decide!

 

[BroadAmbition]

Well done to date, thanks for sharing

Griff

[Polly]

My thousandometer is spinning here, but what a lovely job! 

[finny]

I don't think re-naming back to her original name is bad luck Chris .in this case I think it's rather fitting I guess  you could even argue Lady Luck is stroking her timbers with all the renovation 

great project and well done 

 

finny 

[Polly]

I would rename her because Estrellita is her real name. She owns it.

someone renamed Brilliant, 'Gannet' some many moons ago. Shameful to give a lovely lady an ugly name .

[jillR]

I remember some one saying that its ok to rename a boat if she is out of the water at the time.

I went for renaming both my boats to their original names.

[wombat nee blownup]

Just wondering,   Will you be making provision to house your Grey water tank inside? or will you continue to tow it?

[MauriceMynah]

I thought "Grey water" was "washing up/shower" water! if so, does grey water need a holding tank?

[BroadAmbition]

Correct MM and no it doesn't - that previous post you refer to was tongue in cheek reference the large green plastic tank behind RR in the photo I think

Griff

[MauriceMynah]

Thanks Griff, I'm being a bit slow this morning....Oh gawd! fick as two short ones!

[BroadAmbition]

Oh gawd! fick as two short ones!

Far be it from me to disagree with you! 

Griff

[MauriceMynah]

Oh Fanks"!

[Springsong]

Chris I have just found this thread, what a great boat and to have all this history brilliant.

Good luck with the rest of the restoration ace so far.

[Chris]

Well its been a busy winter and a long while since I've had much time to get this thread updated. Sorry!!

So what have we been up to? Well........... Rake's Retreat has continued to be cleared, cleared again and cleared some more.Focus over the inter has been on her cabins rather than her exterior. Warmer there!! Forward cabins have been started to put back together with single V berths. This had been the area that had been totally ripped apart in the last few years with nothing original remaining. The bulkhead between the galley and front cabin was pretty rotten and has now been replaced.

Working aft, we decided that the outer engines needed to be completely removed as they havent been run for many years. We expected the worst but our engineer took them away to strip them down. Once out the fuel tanks were accessible and we quickly discovered they were rotten through from the top and now full or fuel, water and rust so they also had to go. The centre engine has remained in place and runs. This will just be and serviced in place. Engine rooms have now been cleaned, cleared and painted out. We are also happy to report that the outer engines are in working order and are running well.

Once we started to strip back panels in the wheelhouse the wiring all had to go! This is going to be replaced through the entire boat. After 74 years they were a mess!

While rummaging through all of the parts that came out of Rake's Retreat we cam across a box with what looked to be a flat pack wooden item contained. We couldn't make out what it was or where it went until we stumbled across the original photo taken of the wheelhouse in 1934. We quickly realised we had an intact section of the signal flag box. It very good condition this was reconditioned and now sits back in its original location.

After much consideration we have decided to change the name of Rake's Retreat. Unlucky for some maybe but she is in the process of becoming Estrellita. Spanish for Little Ship and her original name.