It is Christmas time again, a chance to have a break and plan for the New Year.

This past year has been a busy year with trips to and from Woodplumpton to work on our other project boat Chance. Chance is now back in Essex at Titchmarsh Marina  less than a mile from my own workshop. 

Before you ask why is Chance not in my yard, the answer my yard is not large enough to fit her in and so Chance is in a nearby boatyard where I can work on her between my clients boat jobs or when I have any spare time to work on her. 

Now it is the time when most people put their boat restoration projects to bed until after the Christmas break. We are doing the same. Like other people we all need a break and a rest from working on our projects and the weather is not conducive to working outside in the cold weather unless you have too. Simon as done this for the past 46 years as a boat builder and this year is going to take a well earned break from working on boats over the Christmas break.

We have not stopped planning what the jobs we wish to achieve on both Mai Star II and Chance, just the total opposite. When the weather is against us we get to work planning what to get on to after the Christmas break. 

Because Chance is a long term project it is going to take time to get the funds together to get timber and other other materials together to do any major projects on the boats structure. However, that will not stop us from doing smaller projects on other parts of the boat. 

Whereas Mai Star II project is an equally major project the size is a lot smaller in many ways. the hull is in better condition than Chance. Although, there are still a lot of ribs to replace and a few parts of frames to replace as these are in a poorly way in some areas. Mainly the upper parts under where the deck was originally fitted. 

Most of the problems have come about because of poor ventilation over the years which made it possible for area to go rotten from the inside out. This problem is high on our list to stop in future with the increase of air flow throughout the boat when it is at anchor or a marina berth.

So the main job after the Christmas break is to get the framework over Mai Star II repaired and a new cover purchased to cover the boat up and so Mai Star II can dry out a bit so that the work can restart on her. 

Another job will be to remove the cabin sides off the boat so that the beam shelf can be inspected and repaired if necessary. the fore deck beams made and fitted and the cabin side carlins made and the short deck beams made and refitted.then carry on and do the same in the cockpit where the deck beams have to be re-made and the short deck beams and cockpit side carlins re-made. Once all the beams and carlins are made and refitted then the cabin sides and cockpits can be re-fitted. 

However, before any of the work can be done the broken ribs in the hull will have to be steamed in and nailed in position as well as the upper parts of the frames replace to be able to fix any new deck beams too. Also an odd bit of planking will need to replaced along the way.

So there are the first plans for the New Year about Mai Star II. 

So in the meantime have yourselves a Happy Christmas break and see you all in the New Year.

From the Mai Star II  Restoration Team.

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Work done today on Mai Star II

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Having removed the lower section of the first frame to have a lower section across the keel/hog. It is time to make a pattern of the piece and go through the oak pile to find some suitable pieces of oak to make up a new lower section which connects together  the two frames in the hull at the forward end of the keel bolts.  Another jobwe did was to remove as much of the rotten section of lower forefoot which the samson post mortised into when it was in position. The new forefoot will be made out of some of the seasoned oak  we have in the yard and will likely be made up of two pieces glued together to make up the correct thickness. and then new bolts will be made up and the fore foot will then be bedded on a bed of red lead putty and thick paint.  The three bolts were able to be moved in their holes which is a good sign and will make it easier to put new bolts in to the holes. possibly go up a size and bore new holes through the outer part of the hog/keel. Just placin...
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Making patterns of the two foredeck lodging knees and inspecting the deck bems to see which of them can be salvaged and which need remaking.

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The frame and inner hog repairs now done and now its time to make up and steam the ribs in place.

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The inner hog pieces now replaced and ready to be screwed and bedded down on a mixture of  red lead powder and linseed putty in the same method the original inner hog pieces were fitted almost 80 years ago. The frames are all dry fitted and the same method to be used on the frames as are the inner hog pieces. The same method will be used on these port side frames  The grown floor which as come out of here will be replaced with a laminated oak as it is difficult to source a piece of oak with the grain pattern to make a new floor.   
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