Since we put the tent up, the big question has always been "How long will it last?". On a nice calm day we don't even think about it --- but when the wind blows, being inside feels like being at sea in a gale, head-to-wind with everything flapping! We've put in extra guy ropes, glued patches on, ... read more
All the old deck beams, bar one, needed renewing. A visit to our friendly woodyard in Trefnant had procured the necessary timber for them. Going round the yard pulling random pieces of timber worked out cheaper because some were a bit bent but still suitable for our purpose. Class rules dictate ... read more
It was time to fit the Rubbing Strips and Top Planks that we had prepared earlier. Handling was the dangerous bit. Having had one disaster through trying to bend one plank too far, Keith and I were now far more careful handling these 21ft planks! The Rubbing Strips were fairly easy as they were ... read more
The Top Planks and the Rubbing Strips all need replacing. This is a big job because they run the full lenght of the boat, they are shaped to fit the lines of the boat and they are made out of 5/8inch mahogany planking. Getting mahogany anyway is a bit of a challenge -- 21 feet lengths just ... read more
Last year, when this Centenary Project got started and we were arranging to move Kandahar from Gallows Point, Beaumaris to the workshop "tent" I received a letter from a Mrs Rosemary Asher who lives in the Isle of Wight. Mrs Asher's grandson had uncovered some old trophies in her attic and she ... read more
We've finished the ribs -- that is we've replaced all that we think is necessary. There is one original one left which looks OK so it will stay. Hope we don't regret that later but meanwhile it will give us a useful reference point for the next stage. The Rudder Support Block has been renewed. ... read more
Arthur had been whittling away at the big banana-shaped piece of oak and this week arrived at the boat with the new stem ready for its first fitting. This was the first of several fittings and after each time the stem was "fettled" to get a better fit. The bottom of the stem is secured to the ... read more
The old transom was shot so a suitable slab of new wood was purchased from our friendly woodyard in Trefnant. Using the old transom as a template Rod cut a new one to shape on the bandsaw. I think he's getting quite adept at bandsawing as it turned out to be a very good fit. The practice will be ... read more
We are now passed the halfway point with the re-ribbing of Gwalch with 24 done already. Following instructions from Arthur, Keith and I have cracked on with it. We have now drawn Neil Roobottom and Neil Appleton into the "ribbing team" and we are romping away with it! In a previous life as an ... read more
COD ribs are made from North American Rock Elm. Your common or garden European Rock Elm wont do -- its not flexible enough. It is also resistant to water and besides marine use its apparently used in the funereal business, strangely enough. Very few of the existing ribs were considered ... read more
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