Restoring a 94 year old motor yacht

[Simon R]

Hello, I've been lurking here for a long time, picking up information on what, and what not, to do - so thanks straight away for all the help.

A couple of years ago I did a mad thing - I sold my house and bought a 78 foot motor yacht. Well, with the state of the housing market now it looks like it was almost wise! Anyway, Glala was built in 1915 and has quite a history. She is a substantial restoration project, we're rebuilding her.

She has a website: www.ceze.net (http://www.ceze.net). I'll be updating the pages from time to time as the project progresses.

Simon

[mmd]

Ambitious project, Simon. Lovely boat, though. I wish you every success, and hope that you keep us titillated with frequent updates...and pictures! (We always like pictures.) Welcome to the Forum.

[Ross M]

Very nice website.

Very sweet boat.

Very brave owner :cool:

Thanks for the post, and best of luck!

Ross

[pcford]

Hello, I've been lurking here for a long time, picking up information on what, and what not, to do - so thanks straight away for all the help.

A couple of years ago I did a mad thing - I sold my house and bought a 78 foot motor yacht. Well, with the state of the housing market now it looks like it was almost wise! Anyway, Glala was built in 1915 and has quite a history. She is a substantial restoration project, we're rebuilding her.

She has a website: www.ceze.net (http://www.ceze.net). I'll be updating the pages from time to time as the project progresses.

Simon

Bravo! An incredible project!!

However, I was taken a bit aback when I saw her being hauled out with what we call a Travelift. Large old boats are usually considered to be best hauled with a railway. What kind of consideration went into hauling it in this manner? I did notice that she has a stout backbone.

Please stay in touch!

[The Bigfella]

Fabulous Simon. It looks pretty much like the work we had to do to Grantala, just 50% longer. Phew!

[Lew Barrett]

Yea! Another motorboat! I was greeted here with exactly these words a few years ago!

Clearly I don't have to add to the chorus about what an ambitious project you have undertaken, but that's the first thought that comes to mind. Welcome to WBF from another motor boat guy. We'll follow your progress with great interest. To my way of thinking, the journey can be equal in pleasure to the destination. Enjoy the process!

[Simon R]

Large old boats are usually considered to be best hauled with a railway.
I'm sure you're right and I was worried, we spread the slings as far apart as possible. It probably was a greater risk than I realised at the time, but she is very massive, over-engineered by modern standards.

Very brave owner
People say that and I get frightened - do they know something I don't? ;) Seriously though - I am working with a professional shipwright who does nothing but wooden boats, I get to do all the less skilled stuff. I think the scale of the project is similar to restoring a very derelict house, imagine one with a collapsed roof, it can be done.

Simon

[BETTY-B]

Woo hoo! That is definitly a boat worth putting the effort into. Good job!
DAN

[Lew Barrett]

People say that and I get frightened - do they know something I don't? ;) Seriously though - I am working with a professional shipwright who does nothing but wooden boats, I get to do all the less skilled stuff. I think the scale of the project is similar to restoring a very derelict house, imagine one with a collapsed roof, it can be done.

Simon

Except common wisdom has it that houses appreciate in the fullness of time while boats don't do that in quite the same way. We do this because we want to have this kind of boat. Nothing about it makes sense for the person who actually takes on the task. Welcome to the looney bin!

[Jay Greer]

I was taught by my mentors that anything worth doing is worth doing well!
Obviously you are from the same school of thought.

I wish you good fortune with your project.
Jay

[Robmill0605]

Wow!

That's all I could think of......

[Woxbox]

I'm impressed. A huge project, but the end product promises to be magnificent.

Now what's that about being built for "an uncertain purpose?"

[C. Ross]

Terrific, Simon. Welcome to another motor boat owner. Please keep posting!

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

Simon - do you know Rollo, who has the Brightlingsea?

A lot of people thought he would never get her sorted.

http://www.msbrightlingsea.com/trips.html

http://www.msbrightlingsea.com/_wp_generated/wpb2b75dcd_0f.jpg

[mmd]

Now that is an... expansive... wheelhouse! <grin>

[RT MAN]

Wowsers, thats big project you've been very busy already two thumps up, my wife would kill me if I took on something like that. I have four boat and several other bigger time consuming endeaveors.

Rufus

[Simon R]

Now what's that about being built for "an uncertain purpose?"

Previous owners claimed that she was built as a submarine chaser for the Navy. It is not impossible, but I think unlikely. She probably always was a yacht. The records are missing and her first few years will always be a bit of a mystery.

Simon - do you know Rollo, who has the Brightlingsea?

I haven't seen that one before. I particularly like work boats - tugs, trawlers and such like - they are just so purposeful, everything is right about them. Some very nice boats have been in and out of Ipswich:

http://www.ceze.net/aaa/L1000505.jpg
http://www.ceze.net/aaa/L1000518.jpg

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

The Brightlingsea was built for the London and North Eastern Railway in the early 1920's as the Harwich/Felixstowe ferry; I believe she also ran a service down the Orwell from Ipswich calling at Pin Mill. She continued as a ferry in private hands until an insurance problem to do with a passenger getting injured, not on the boat, but on the Felixstowe dock steps; she was laid aside but Roll rescued her and over four years rebuilt her to her full MCA passenger certification. Single Gardner engine.