N2431 Kifi

National 12 Webmaster · 15 Mar 2007, 10:19

The life of N2431 Kifi. Design: Lucky Number, designed by: Patrick Pym & Martin Jones in 1965
Previous boat names: Optimist, Snacilep.

Jeremy C · 16 May 2012, 11:43

Kifi is now in my hands as a bit of a project. It was going to the bonfire, but I immediately fell in love with her and though she needs some pretty extensive work I'm really looking forward to finding the time to do it!

As can be seen from the pics there is need for a new centreboard case and two bottom planks to start with, so not going to happen quickly!

Jeremy C · 16 May 2012, 11:45

no 2

Jeremy C · 16 May 2012, 11:45

no 3

Jeremy C · 15 Apr 2013, 07:08

Well after nearly a year of waiting I have a two week window at school and Kifi has started her major refit:

new hog, keel, and garboard planks to start with: As you can see removal of the keel exposed the problem and it only got bigger.......

Jeremy C · 15 Apr 2013, 07:10

started roughing out garboard planks with 3mm ply, not much left of the originals to use as templates!

George doing amazing stuff of varnish scraping

Jeremy C · 15 Apr 2013, 07:12

wood arrived after a week of waiting.... so striaght into steaming a new hog out of a 20mm sapele plank..

Jeremy C · 15 Apr 2013, 07:16

then machined the hog for the C/B Case and continued to trial; fit garboard planks (which hurt my head a bit getting round the shape!)
meanwhile more varnish coming off....

Jeremy C · 15 Apr 2013, 07:21

trial fit of garboards, which had to go in before the Hog! lots of DIY wedge clamps used for reaching the joint

Jeremy C · 15 Apr 2013, 07:23

hog in, onto the Centre board case then...

Jeremy C · 15 Apr 2013, 07:26

Hog image I forgot to load showing clamping through the C/B case, nice curves!
Trial fit of C/B case, wonderfully easy fitting the case upside down,just hang it on sash clamps through the centre board slot and gently wind them up... one of the few stress free jobs!

Jeremy C · 15 Apr 2013, 07:30

Couldn't resist dropping the centre board in .. first proper dry capsize she ever had I expect
This was around 10th Ap[ril ... officially Kifi's 45th birthday according to her certificate!
Prior to C/B case going in for the final time still need a keel- 15mm sapele a little thin but should do the trick.
clamping it down proved a reasonable challenge but managed it with only 3 brass screws!

Jeremy C · 15 Apr 2013, 07:31

After keel.. centreboard case got glued in just three sash clamps made it easy.

Jeremy C · 15 Apr 2013, 07:33

Finally,after two frantic weeks she was back out the door yesterday in time for school to start this morning!

Just fitted down the corridor!

Jeremy C · 15 Apr 2013, 07:34

Long way to go yet but at least the main structure is now sound except the bulkhead which needs replacing after I attacked it with a jigsaw!

Question is, will she make it to the Vintage intergalactic champs in June?..... I hope so!

having never undertaken such a large scale project before I have to say that though it was a hectic and long two weeks I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it and it has only inspired me to want to do more, just as well as George's crusader needs some attention and there is still the bare final chapter hull sitting in the garage!