The life of N760 Bobtail. Design: , designed by: Leslie Landamore
Pictures of Bobtail 8th November 2008. 8 years in abarn at Needham Market
Would appear ready to sail. However decks need replacing, several ribs are broken and the top of the mast is rotten.
Work on bobtail has progressed over the winter. She now has a new transom, over 25% of her ribs replaced, all the deck framing, knees, thwart and side benches removed and epoxied firmly in place. Combined with the removal of 60 years varnish and grot and many other little repairs she is now starting to take shape. 1st coat of fresh varnish applied this afternoon. New decks now required then turning over for the easy side.
I am looking for a bronze mainsheet horse to replace the rusty piece of mild steel that was bolted to the old transom, any ideas where to start?
More pictures
Hi John - pics on this site and on your Blog look great. Nice work. When's the re-launch date planned for?
No planned re-launch date (yet). Iside and transom now varnished
Work suspended for repairs to 3232.
More details at http://www.n760.blogspot.com/ (http://www.n760.blogspot.com/)
She's looking immaculate - nice work John. I bet you can't wait to see her finished and sailing again. Tim
Now 3232 is is ready for the year, Bobtail is back in a clean and tidy workshop. Lots more working space as she is over 24 inches narrower than her younger sister . 384 little squares carefully sanded and 2 more coats of varnish applied to the inside. The rule change to glued ply construction made a massive difference to winter maintenance. Last chance to work on the inside before redecking after Burton Week.
Great job John - isn't she looking smart. Yes the lack of ribs and rivets certainly made maintenance easier - although I'm not so sure Jeremy (Grimalkin's owner) would agree just at the moment - but then he has gone for the BIG makeover this time. Can't wait to see her with some decks on. Tim
He certainly wouldnt as he now has no knuckles and no fingernails left !
What a cracking job John - She looks great. Did you use some form of hypnosis on yourself to cope with sanding that lot !
No hypnosis, just an old stereo and lots of CDs from the 80s. Now covering up large sections of the hull with some large yellow bags. Easier to fit now before the decks go on.
Bobtail out in the sun with half of her new decks in place.....
Pictures of new decking in place. Soon be time to starton the outside.....
Time to turn Bobtail around and steam on port gunwhale. The oak wouldn't quite bend cold.
Hi John - just checked out the latest pics of Bobtail on your blog. New decks look magnificent. Good luck with exterior - are you going for the deluxe varnish finish on that too! Tim
These are the same pictures that are on Bobtail's blog. Latest coat of varnish full of dust, buts lots work required to get the finish we all want. Waiting for timber to make trestles so I can turn her over and make a start on the bottom. Looking for a cotton jib as the one she came with is rotton...
Now upside down and the old varnish and muck is being burnt off. Nothing too nasty so far....
The bottom picture looks distorted. Surely the hull is not as deep as this - with beam ~ 4ft 6in.
There is some slight distortion but the old ones are pretty knife-like when viewed from the bow. See pics I've just added to database for N341. Tim
The hull is still slightly distorted where the trailer pushed on the planking just aft of the mast. Most of this has come out with the replaced broken ribs. The hull is very deep with lots of rocker when compared to a modern boat. interesting to compare the hull shape to a known design. I am also going to measure the rise of floor, did this rule apply in 1949? I haven't got a certificate and assume she measured to the rules when first built
Starboard side stripped and sanded. I dont have a 12 foot straight edge but 2 pictures with a 6 foot level show where the rocker is.
The keel, hog and garboards are now all reconnected, followed by 2 weeks of varnishing and light sanding.
The hull is now complete, apart from some more varnish on the decks. Next project is a new trolley.
Outside stripped and Varnished. The decks are ready for the last few coats and a new launching trolley not quite finished.
Hi John - she's looking very beautiful. Bet you're pleased with your handiwork. When do her new sails arrive?
Look forward to seeing pics of her relaunch. Will you be bringing your Baggy to the Burton - hope so. P'ps see you at Dinghy Exhibtn. Tim
At last I have finished the hull and decks. It's only taken 17 months! Just the mast and a few fittings to go. I have cleared up the garage and the remains of the old decks etc have been burnt.
The finished rudder, stock and tiller. The old decks burnt well!
After 19 months work Bobtail is rebuilt, rigged and ready to launch. A slight delay in work after the Aldeburgh Boat Yard burnt down with the loss of everything including the rigging workshop.
Planning to launch Saturday evening after club racing. If you are near Aldeburgh Yacht Club tomorrow come and have a drink with us, weather permitting.
We made it to the river this afternoon and she floats! She also leaks but that's not too surprising.