New restoration to keep track of, Pics.

[CBKyle]

Hey guys, this is only my second time posting , although I have been reading, and learning from all the experience this forum has to offer, for some time now. I am looking for advice, opinions from anyone who wishes to share.

I recently took ownership of this 29' sailboat, built by the Walter Pinaud Yatch Yard in Baddeck, Nova Scotia in the 50's. It is mahogany planked, on oak frames, lead ballast. I am going to restore, to the best of my ability, back to original. From what I can see, after having spent much time looking throughout and around the hull, there is surprisingly little work to do, for a boat, that has never be refitted since construction. It has never been recaulked, nor refastened. The stem, and stern post are currently my biggest concerns, as I am affraid they will have to be replaced. Maybe someone here will have some ideas, as I am sure between all on the site, everything has been tried at least once! I have in areas, pulled the caulking to inspect the condition of the planking, and it is solid as a rock, and even now, there is no light to be seen from inside the hull. The cabin top has been glassed over, although that will be removed, and refinished as original. That will be one of the projects for the winter, as I can do that in the warmth of the garage, likewise with the rudder, although that will be a new build.

Thanks for anytime spent reading and looking at the pictures, any ideas, opinions, and thoughts are welcome. I am looking forward to keep this boat from becoming part of the fire pile, as there are very few Pinaud built boats to be spoken of. I have also included some photos of her in the 70's.

http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2101915420

Thanks again, Kyle Taylor

[Thad Van Gilder]

I agree. It can be cheaper and easier.

But not always. If a boat is in reasonable shape, and needs a little here and a little there... maybe a refastening, the old boat will be cheaper.

I was/am a professional... I feel I can always build a new boat faster than restore a really beat up one, but when I taught boatbuilding classes, I found that for the raw beginner, restoring a reasonable older boat is easier. I'm not saying replacing a keel, but, refastening, maybe replacing a stem, refinishing, a little deck work; That may be easier for the beginner.

-Thad

[outofthenorm]

Hello Kyle. I assume from your post that you have some boating experience and you're not discouraged by the prospect of doing serious work - so I think you'll find a lot of folks here will help you as much as possible.
A couple of questions:
-Are you certain that the stem and sternpost are shot? Do they really need to come out, or would something less drastic do the job?
- She looks like a professional build from someone who knew what they were doing. Do you have info on the builder and designer? If I was going to replace major pieces, I'd search long and hard for a set of plans.

My only other advice would be to go slow - don't open anything up until you're ready to deal with it. Searover is right about the steep learning curve, but there's almost nothing you can't tackle on a boat this size.

Good luck and enjoy the process. Hope you post plenty of pics as you go.

- Norm

[CBKyle]

Norm, thanks for the encouragment, I do have much boating and repair experience I started when I was 8 with repairs to my first 8' pram, which was given to me as a gift. I later built a Glen-L 12 when I was in high school. I have worked as a commercial Diver in Halifax for three years, and now ork offshore Operating ROV's. Which gives me plenty of time on my days home to spend on the boat.

I have been doing research on the boat, and to the best of my knowledge so far, it has been designed, and it was, without a doubt built by Walter Pinaud in Baddeck, Nova Scotia. The Pinaud Yatch Yard no longer operates, although the same property is now owned and operated by the Cape Breton Boat Yard, which is a 35 minute drive from my home. I plan on going to see them, when I get home from offshore. I am crossing my fingers, that some drawings, plans, photos, anything at all related to this boat is still around.

The Pinaud Yatch Yard had built many boats, for some high profile people, one of which still cruises the Bras d'Or Lakes, the Elsie, which was built for Alexander Graham Bell, so the boat was indeed built by a high quality yard.

I am not certain that the stem, and sternpost are gone, and to be honest I feel they could last for a while longer, I just feel that if I am goign to spend the time to do this, I should do it all, and not stop half way. I am going to take some closer pics of the areas I am concerned with, and hope that sparks some idea amongst readers on the forum.

Thanks again for the interest.
Kyle

[CBKyle]

Searover, I couldn't agree more, nothing ruins a day more than miserable weather. Unfortunatly, no I do not have a shelter to cover the entire boat, only a garage, which is right behind the boat. My plan is to remove the cabin top, rudder, and most likely the keel, which I can move inside, and keep myself busy on during the winter, not to mention polishing all of the deck hardware. There will be lots of work, getting materials ready for the spring as well. The hull will be covered by tarp, and left for the winter. I'll get started at refastening first thing in the spring. Maybe even this fall.

Kyle

[reddog]

Hi Kyle;
A fine looking boat from a yard with a solid reputation.Now for the brass tacks.Are you sure she needs a restoration or are you just interested in a project?You mention the frames and planking being in good shape yet have concerns about the fasteners,stem and stern post.Why?
I would suggest getting her under cover and then having a good hard look at any accessable area as well as pulling a half dozen or so fasteners at various locations.A professional survey may be in order before you start to take her apart.
I agree that you may be faced with some surprises but she may also be in better shape than you think.In any case it looks like a worthwhile project and a boat worth keeping up.
Let us know what you find.

Earl

PS I had some correspondence with a fellow in Newfoundland who had a Pinaud built sailboat for sale.She was supposed to be a Alan Buchanan design of around 25' overall.She looked similar to a Vertue but when I contacted Mr. Buchanan he could shed no light on the design.He did grasciously provide some lines plans of his designs in that range.Built of mahogany on oak,bronze fastened around 1965 I was told.

[CBKyle]

Hi all, turns out I was wrong, after getting the cabin stipped out, down to bare hull on the inside (cabin top still in place,) I have gained good access to all frames, keel, and stem. Turns out I have many frames to replace, if I am going to do this right. I have no problem steaming new frames and replacing one at a time, coming form above between the sheer clamp and the hull planking.

My question is, what are your opinions on using larch, rather than white oak which is what the frames are now. How does larch steam, and can I achieve the same, or just as good, results by using larch? I ask this because I will have to buy the WO, but I have many larch trees looking me right in the face, while I hold the chainsaw! I could save considerably, but only if there is no downfalls to this idea.

Thanks in advance for your input

[Lew Barrett]

Welcome and bon chance!

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid214/p8f5eb46c22ea9ed544df0e02a02ba0fd/ecfd74b5.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid214/pcc5830209953f90736511f5c53c2e1ee/ecfd701e.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid214/pe4931eb79a1f56b43def756378c1085d/ecfd7118.jpg


Lew

[johngsandusky]

Good luck with your project. There was just a 7part series in WB about restoration, with lots of good advice. I'm in the later part of refastening, replacing some planks, and the stern timber. It's taken much longer than I hoped, but it's been fun, educational, and will be very rewarding when I can sail again.