Transom in, time to design the coach roof. I made a thin ply template and
fashioned it to look like the one in the Google picture, cut up a plank of
sapele and glued and screwed it in. It took three dry runs, and a lot of
thinking to get the shape, the curve and the fit. She was taking shape at
last and starting to look good. The coach roof, rescued from the original was
sitting next to the hull, complete with the sides just as it was sawn off a few
months earlier. These sides were removed and the ‘lid’ refitted.
The interior was redesigned to look more open with a simple galley and chart
table with the emphasis on simple and light in weight. Some of this interior
was recycled from an old chest of drawers I came across on the side of the
road, destined for the tip. The deck originally was the old standard economy
pine, tongue and groove planked, covered in canvas and painted. My wife
said ‘don’t spoil the ship for a ha’porth of tar’ and so teak was ordered from
Bristol. I had only laid one deck before and that was on a Fairey Huntsman
31. After much head scratching, sucking of teeth
and two dry runs it finally
went down and the sanding brought out the lovely black striped effect. The
teak was preceded by cedar planks laid fore and aft under a 2.9mm ply.
Deck fittings were mainly donated or from stuff I had been hoarding away for
years. The stainless steel stem head, mast step, winch brackets and backstay
fittings were made in Cowes to my drawings and the mast, sails and boom
acquired through the good sources from the Folkboat Association.
Launch time was approaching and it had to get wet sooner or later otherwise
it would be the biggest model yacht ever. It hit the water in July and leaked
like a colander, water pouring in. My wife and several other well-wishers
stood on the quayside, all looking embarrassed, worried and concerned.
Only the boatyard owner and I had faith ... we hoped.
It took two weeks for her to swell up enough for the first sail to her mooring
in Cowes. She weeps a little still, but this will remedied this winter. Someone
once told me that most things over 50 leak a little.
I estimate it took: six months for this restoration, a very patient wife, help
from friends and friendly advice from the Folkboat Association, in particular
Tony Smee of Folkboats UK who has been extremely helpful throughout the
whole project.
I have to say I enjoyed the whole project immensely and although she is still
in ‘works trials’ she will be ready for some serious sailing at the beginning of
the 2017 season.
The Restoration of Folkboat 520 “Swift”
26
