Clueless in PA

[Fretz]

I'm stuck! I have a project that i've been wanting to start on for a few years now and i just havent found the time or knowlege to get it done. Its a wood Jersey speed skiff built by stevenson on staten island NY in the late 50's or early 60's. I managed to replace the garboards myself about 3 years ago and install a new transom. now she sits ready for a new top plank and decks. Life has prevented me from diving back in and frankly im not sure i know enough to do the next step on my own.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid69/p4afbb40d15eb0e3fe9121946ff5139b9/fbb805f4.jpghttp://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid69/p5a874f48a63b4b3d6fdf3b3a3aa3d69e/fbb80635.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid31/p81702090059e7575d8c22228a9861db8/fd4950dd.jpg

the top plank and sheer clamp? need to be replaced and well as all new decking and framing. the planks are different from side to side and in my one conversation with the builders son he said the plank was cut wrong. He was going to come see the boat but i've never heard from him again... Scott Stevenson if anyone knows him.

heres my proposal:

I need someone to look at the boat who has experience rebuilding lapstrake hulls. I'd like this "expert" to help me through the hard stuff with a few days labor. I'll be a willing apprentice and once i'm into the deck framing i can handle that and would be back on track to finish.

In return i'll make up the hours to you and help on your project. I'd consider any reasonable trade of labor/expertise. I'm about 30 minutes north of philadelphia PA.

Is this a good idea or am i supposed to be a man and wing it?

I appreciate any feedback.

[George Ray]

You need a pattern for the new plank and if you can get the old plank off intact, there you go. It is not so difficult to make a pattern from scratch with thin plywood such a 1/4" or thin luan door skin stuff but it does not get much better than to use the original, if it can be removed with shape intact.

If you can take the existing top plank off in one piece you are halfway home. A hi-speed die grinder with a carbide burr is one of my favorite way to 'deconstruct" small fastenings in delicate parts. Get the heads and part of the shank off all the fastenings and the plank will pry off. Then the remaining part of the fastening is accessable to vise grips etc.

Alternativly, because you are not saving the old plank but would like to have it for a patten, you might use a small hole saw with a 'tiny' pilot drill to release the plank from the fastenings. The plank ends up with a TON of holes in it but keeps it's shape, and the little plugs with a fastening in them are then very easy to remove from the framing which is unscathed or maybe has tiny holes from the pilot drill. Start the pilot just to the side of the fastening and cut just barely or almost through the plank. ( make a shoulder guide or put tape on the hole saw barrel )

[Gary E]

Is there still that historic boat repair place down on or near Penns Landing? I am thinking that if you could get a fellow or 2 to come look at what you have, it could boost your confidence.

Long ago I lived in the lower Bucks area and would of come to help, but now I am several thousand miles away.

By the way, a little hole saw can be made from tubing, all you need is a triangular file. It could be made from gas line tubing from a PepBoys.

[nedL]

Hey Chris, glad to see you are getting back into 'Ghost'. Sorry I can't get down there to give you a hand. It's not that tough (you already did the garboards, they're the hard ones), it's just thinking & checking as you go. 1/8" Masonite works nicely for patterns as it will make that bend up forward nicely.
Have you caught up to the upcoming "Thunder on the Shrewsbury" in Sept? I'm going to see if I can get down there (boatless of course).

[Frank Wentzel]

Fretz

Talk to the people at the Wooden Boat Factory in Phila. Their shop is near the Walt Whitman Bridge, on Moyamissing (sp?) Axenue I believe. The organization does small boat building and restorarion. They would be a wealth of information and guidance.

/// Frank ///

[Fretz]

thanks for the tips but im looking for a little assistance not reassurance. i dont want to pay someone to help me nor do i want to feel like im getting help for free from a guy who makes his living restoring boats. There has to be someone nearby with a similar project who can assist me through this speed bump.

[Gary E]

Probably a kid that spent some time fooling around with boats, and wuz not afraid to take a few chances. Maybe you'l find that guy by looking in the mirror.