This week my helper started to rake out the plank seams

The long job of raking out the plank seams as started. When all the seams are cleared of the old caulking cotton and putty the plank will be able to move around and be able to be re-fixed to bring the planks back into the original position,


 

Before any of the refixing of the planks can take place the hull will have to be cleared of any old paint and dirt that has find its way under the ribs and frames in the boat, which is keeping the planks from going back into position and laying flat against the ribs and frames. 

So after all the seams are cleared of the old cotton and putty, then inside of the boat is going to need stripping of all the old paint and all the ribs and frames are going to need marking up to see which need to be cleaned out between the planking and ribs and frames to get the planks to sit against the frames and ribs. This will also highlight the frames and ribs that need refixing with new copper nails and in some cases refixing with bronze screws where it is not possible to nail the frames back into position. 

When working on Mai Star II the frames were fixed in place using bronze boat nails dead fixed into the frames, which after a lot of years have worked loose and no longer hold the plank in position where a screw will have a better chance of holding the plank to the frames.

One job that I have to do this coming week is to repair the metal frame for the overall cover and get it put up over the boat before the weather takes a turn for the worse. So it is out with the welder and get the frame repaired and back in position. 

Location: Q6QC+MW Clacton-on-Sea, UK

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