PHASE I - REBUILD BOAT DECK AND FORE DECK - SUMMER 1999
The first area needing comprehensive restoration was the boat deck.
The original canvas deck covering remained on much of the boat deck. Over the years the water had penetrated and rotted, in areas, the three quarters fir tongue and groove decking. The rotted boards were removed and new matching tongue and groove boards were let in. All the trim was replaced including the curved corners which were cold molded laminated.
Over the years the deck under the mast step had made a depression from the weight of the mast. Here this view forward shows this depression filled in with multiple layers of plywood and epoxy to restore the original camber of the roof for proper drainage.
After the original tongue and groove decking was replaced where needed, the entire roof was laminated with fir plywood and epoxy. Dynel cloth was laminated to the plywood with epoxy resin to approximate the look of the original canvas when painted.
Everything on the fore deck was removed including the windlass, deck boxes and athwart ship seat and the old decking removed. Any deck beams needing attention were replaced. The original Ideal windlass was returned to Ideal to have a new stainless steel case and the motor and gears overhauled.
Looking forward from the wheelhouse. A double layer fir plywood was laminated to the deck beams, ready to receive first a layer of heavy fiberglass cloth and then a finished layer of Dynel and epoxy.
The Fiberglass and Dynel mats were extended over the new top bow plank and sealed in the trim.
New mahogany trim boards were installed, bow chocks and cleats were reinstalled. After the boat deck and the fore deck were restored careful investigation revealed that the major structure of the hull below the waterline needed replacement. Phase II begins.
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