Sunday 24 March 2013

Repairs to a fox & Son Motor Launch circ 1960's

Here are a few photos of the restoration of a Fox & Son of Ipswich motor launch build in the 1960's.
 The builder plate, the company now is Fox's Marina Ipswich Ltd.

 Repairs done in the past to stop the boat from leaking
 doubled up ribs removed when new ribs were put in and holes removed.
 Nice steering wheel made out of wood that the boat was made from back in the 1960's
 All thepaint removed to find out the extend of repairs needed to the hull
 Another photo showing the port side of the hull
 Photo of the bottom of the boat on the port side
 Photo of port forward before bilge keel was removed to expose spilt plank below it.
 Photo of port side with spilt planks removed
 Photo of port side aft showing that the planks were removed full length so that new plank were going to go back again the same way, in one length.
 Photo of the only shorty plank put in this restoration
 Photo of the front end of the port side showing the curve of the planks on the turn of the bilge
 Photo showing the two planks removed on the starboard side full length planks again
 Photo showing the first plank being refitted to the port side, the garboard plank.
 Photo of the stem on the starboard side
 fitting planks on the starboard side
 On Port side too
 Another photo showing the plank being fitted to the port side
 Photo showing the starboard planks now in place and ready to be clinched up
 Phot of the port side plank in and clinched up and now getting ready to fit second port side plank
 Second port side plank being fitted and then clinched in place
 Photo of the inside of the boat
 Another photo of the inside showing that one of the engine beds was removed to enable the planking under the engine to be replaced
 Photo of the boat the right way up and getting ready to return to owner for him to paint and varnish the boat ready for the new season.

Wednesday 20 March 2013

So the new planks go back in.

The first photo shows the boat after the old planks were taken out and after the lands were cleaned up ready to fit the new planks in place
 The second photo shows the starboard plank in place,but before the plank is nailed and clinched in place, also the port side plank starting to be fitted.
 This photo is looking forward showing the plank in place ready to be nailed.
 Looking aft on the starboard towards the transom
 Fitting the port plank in place
 Port plank in place ready to be nailed into place
 Photo of the plank fitted to the stem

Port side looking forward towards the stem.

Once these planks are back in place then, work will continue on replacing other planks and then refitting the seats and seat stringers as well as the bilge stringers. 

Sunday 3 March 2013

Boat maintenance check list for stress free winter refit.

Boat maintenance tip #1

Get refit list checked and order your antifoul this week in time for getting the boat in the water for Easter
Boat maintenance tip # 2
Check your sails are in good condition and if in need of repair get them to the sail maker this week before the rush for Easter starts
Boat maintenance tip # 3

Remember to book your launch date now as time is running out to get your boat on the date you want to be afloat
Boat Maintenance tip # 4

When the weather is gets better it is time to start getting the boat ready for the new season, so make sure you have all the necessary gear to do the jobs, if not order them now through our mail order service
Boat Maintenance tip # 5

Get your charts send to the chart agents to be checked & corrected if needed, also next liferaft checked and or ordered from hirer for new season
Boat Maintenance tip # 6

Check your standing & running rigging before the start of the season better to be sailing than sitting on the hard all season waiting for a new rig
Boat Maintenance Tip # 7

Do not forget your tender & outboard they need TLC as well if they are to give you good service during the season. So take your outboard to the service agent to get it checked over and give yourself peace of mind
Boat Maintenance Tip # 8

If you have a wooden boat start rubbing down the paint work where it is damaged & put primer on the bare wood
Boat maintenance Tip #9

 Get your ropes & ground Tackle check over to make sure their ready for the new Season & get rid of any damage rope. You do not want to end up on the local RNLI list.
Boat maintenance Tip #10

Above all enjoy your refit period and the friends you find along the way.