WOODEN BOAT REPAIR AND RESTORATION METHODS
From documentation to the rebuilding process—bringing back CINDERELLA.
- WALT ANSEL — AUGUST 8–21
Master shipwright Walt Ansel will take students beyond the traditional introductory boatbuilding and boat repair courses offered here at WoodenBoat School with this challenging and very exciting project. CINDERELLA, a lovely 25′ sloop designed and owned by Henry Scheel, is the centerpiece for this two-week foray into wooden boat restoration. She has been lovingly restored over the past four seasons and is getting closer to relaunching. The techniques students have used to document, stabilize, and rebuild the hull are the exact same methods used at professional boatyards around the country. The goal throughout the entire restoration is to have a strong, long-lasting, aesthetically beautiful vessel, faithful to Henry Scheel’s original vision.
The class of 2009 completed an array of large projects started the season before. The transom laminate and fashion pieces were expertly fitted and fastened into place. The new centerboard trunk was through-drilled, bedded, and secured with bronze bolts to the keel, and the last of the floor timbers were made and installed. Great progress was made toward completing hull planking repairs; new plank ends were spiled and scarfed on forward while the keel and forefoot were faired for the garboards. The deck, of 1949 fir plywood, was found to be in excellent shape. Students sanded and filled where necessary and then coated the deck with Dynel cloth and epoxy. Unfortunately, extensive rot was discovered in the cabin carlins, but students, once again, met the challenge and replaced them with new steam-bent white oak pieces. And the icing on the cake was the creation and skillful fitting of two new, long, and beautiful
South American mahogany cabin sides on the very last day of class.
As over the past four seasons, there will be many interesting projects happening simultaneously in 2010. New planking will be completed; all plank seams will be caulked; the hull will be faired; the shaftlog needs to be bored; new coamings and rubrails will be made and fitted; the new ceiling, bulkheads, cabin, and cockpit soles will be installed; and the original cabintop will be set back in place.
The repairing and rebuilding of wooden boats is a journey that can provide great personal satisfaction. Whether you own a wooden boat, are thinking of buying one, work in a boatyard, or just enjoy solving problems with wood, this two-week course and outstanding instructor may be just for you. We invite you to come help us put this sweetheart of a boat back on her feet so that she can, once again, kick up her heels and sail!
Tuition: $1150 two-week course
Note: Previous woodworking and some boatbuilding experience is required.