|
PHASE II - JUNE 2000, WICKFORD, RI
SEA TABBY is floated from Barrington to Wickford, RI to be placed in a shed, where she could remain for some time, as it turns out over three years.
When the planking was removed, the structure of the boat was revealed to be in bad condition, below the waterline, a result of iron fastenings in oak, with electrolysis compounding the problem from over zincing and an attempt at bonding many years before. The stern was in the worst shape from the over zincing. The keel was solid and needed no repairs. But most of the floors were poor and all were replaced with white oak. However, the long leaf yellow pine and oak ribs, including the fastenings, above the waterline were in remarkably good condition and would remain intact.
While the hull was open installation of mechanical equipment began. Here is the new starboard holding tank installed over new floors in the bow section.
Epoxy saturated oak members drilled to receive shaft logs before ribs were in place.
The entire stern structure below the waterline needed replacement. Here you see the new horn timber in place and new floors of oak.
The stern framing was replaced or sistered in oak, in preparation to receive eventually, a double layer of planking. Here you see the original stern planking with lettering, which will be replaced, over the horizontal first layer of planking.
It was found that the stem was in poor condition and needed to be replaced. On the left is shown the bow with the stem removed and the planks cut back to receive the new stem. On the right is shown the massive Angelique log from which the stem was cut in one piece.
Louis fitting stem. New oak ribs were installed in the fine bow section.
New stem and foot blocking in place. Ribs begin to outline the structure ready to receive planks.
Louis begins the installation of shaft logs of reinforced fiberglass tubes between ribs. Shaft logs, bearings and engine mounts were aligned with laser beam resulting in near perfect shaft alignment and elimination of vibration, a problem for years.
Ribs being aligned prior to fastening above waterline. The new ribs extend well up into the sound ribs and planking above.
Detail of ribs bolted to the new oak floors.
Before all the ribs were in place and the hull was open it was determined that the original fuel tanks should be replaced as their condition was suspect and this was the perfect opportunity to replace them. In this photograph the steel beam that supports the tanks is visible.
View of bottom of new fuel tanks and refinished engines. New custom fiberglass engine pans were made and replaced the old copper pans.
| 
