Doing the Charleston!

Folly Reach · Post by **Folly Reach** » Sun Nov 11, 2018 10:48 am

I think I would be worried if the tool had gone through both the teak and the sub deck if indeed that is the case.

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Mon Nov 12, 2018 9:04 am

My general observation is that the plywood underdeck is always a lot worse than you think and its likely some of the supporting structure too. I have not seen the boat, but I reckon if the ply is so soft you've gone through it, then you need a whole new deck.

There's two expensive jobs on a Fairey, engines and a teak deck. Seems like Charleston needs both!

Teak deck materials is a lot and its a big job taking a lot of hours.

I've never liked the look of the fake teak or the premade panel decks, nothing looks as good as a proper swept deck like Fairey did it (but without the nails!)

The only option that might be a bit more palatable would be a ply deck, epoxied and painted, then in a few years, when budgets allow, have the paint sanded off and teak laid. I reckon that would be my approach with Charleston.

Folly Reach · Post by **Folly Reach** » Mon Nov 12, 2018 11:22 am

I concur with Ben on that. Deck off. Make good supporting structure, new plywood everywhere and then lots of West Epoxy and cloth. While you are at it take the West and cloth up the cabin sides and over the roof.

nicky · Post by **nicky** » Mon Nov 12, 2018 1:15 pm

Final finish is everything on a wooden Fairey. Unless the have the very best professional boat painter brush painting makes them look like scruffy old boats next to the glossy plastic fleet. Flying fish was not bad with a strong reflection in the cabin sides. Doing it again though I would cloth the cabin sides to fully stabilize the ply and stop the sun effects, then have them spray painted. Tireur is a good example of a spray painted Swordsman, and wow does it look good.
David

nicky · Post by **nicky** » Tue Nov 13, 2018 5:34 pm

For Super Swordsman cabin side finish look at Xalon in the photo album. Dr Syn is just as good. With mat and epoxy I guess this finish lasts.
David

PeterCharleston · Post by **PeterCharleston** » Tue Nov 13, 2018 9:42 pm

Hi All,
Yep quite disappointing about the deck, but not surprised,she has spent a very long time in the rain.
I've only scraped out the caulk on the port side so still the stern and starboard deck to dig out, majority of obvious rot is starboard so not looking too positive.
We are still sticking to the master plan, of all paint off and full exposure by Christmas/New Year and then a full assessment by someone that "actually knows what they are doing" in early 2019!!
I am surprised at the comments moving the wooden boat into the realms of "The Plastic Brethren" but it does make obvious sense.
I have spoken to quite a few traditional boat chaps, both professional and keen amateurs and the responses are very divided when the subject of mat and resin is raised. Best regards Peter

robin3boats · Post by **robin3boats** » Tue Nov 13, 2018 10:04 pm

I would make it look like a wooden boat.
If you wanted a plastic boat then you would have bought one wouldnt you?

nicky · Post by **nicky** » Tue Nov 13, 2018 10:59 pm

Cabin side ply may be generally sound, but the hot sun on the dark blue paint often brings up striations in the top layer, and the finish is ruined. The ply can be epoxy coated, but better with mat as well. I would only grp upper ply. Fibre glassed wooden hulls don t seem a good idea.
Good finish on paint can be found on many boats and offsetting this with varnished trim ensures they do not look like grp boats. Fairey wooden boats are far too square too look like grp, note the difference between a Spearfish cabin and the wooden boats cabin.
David

Folly Reach · Post by **Folly Reach** » Tue Nov 13, 2018 11:00 pm

When you say mat and resin I assume you mean cloth and epoxy. There is a realm of difference...

Folly Reach · Post by **Folly Reach** » Tue Nov 13, 2018 11:30 pm

I have successfully applied cloth and epoxy to dark blue transoms from rubbing stake to waterline on two boats. No movement or cracking of the paint whatsoever. Take a look at what Custom yachtworks do with wooden Fairey boats.

nicky · Post by **nicky** » Wed Nov 14, 2018 2:35 pm

Yes the fine cloth. Sorry not being specific. The woven mat would make a right mess. The cloth can still be seen in some lights on Tireur, but carefully done is OK.
David

PeterCharleston · Post by **PeterCharleston** » Thu Dec 06, 2018 12:12 pm

Hi All,
hope the Western Event went well, we will plug next year's dates into the diary to avoid the clashes.
Very interesting debate on the Resin or Not to Resin, topic, we are a tad away from that adventure at the moment.
The current adventure is to modify Charleston's existing cradle supports to make access to the Hull easier.
I am conscious of various support comments for the Super Swordsman, is there a sketch/drawing for optimum support ?
The Christmas adventure is to make 8 x adjustable boat props to then fix to the current cradle, the keel is currently not supported on its Peter DS cradle?
The plan is to raise the boat up, slide 4 x timbers under the keel and then pop the props in !!

Many thanks again for an excellent evening at the AGM , totally unexpected, thank you very very much.
ALL the very best to you ALL for Christmas, Regards Peter

PeterCharleston · Post by **PeterCharleston** » Thu Jan 17, 2019 9:49 am

Hi ALL
I've put the lift on hold for a moment
Although she will definitely need to be up a bit higher so we can properly see the hull.

Both fuel tanks out ( nearly pumped a 1000litres of "water" into the farm, ! The pump was choking and its dirty stinky diesel below the top layer of water ouch!!)
Rear cabin is pretty much out as is the water tank in the transom.
Trying to get more of the rear heads out but tricky without damage.
As we were behind with the "stripped for New Year " target, I've got help from some ex IBTC Portsmouth students via Fran Wright, superb.
Forward cabin is now clear.
The forward bulkhead was removed to create a more open " day cabin" a bit concerned as I expected to find some additional strengthening

I have Martin M booked for mid Feb to come and have a look, but I think I should have a thorough detailed survey ?
Rob Bingham is going to check her over, many thanks Ben.
Charleston was Lloyds registered and as we are taking this a little seriously now, I think I need to start from the basics !
So if I thought she was a little tatty when we moved her into the Barn , this empty holey hulk is looking very forlorn
But we are almost at the stop and plan forward stage , exciting times.
Regards Peter

PeterCharleston · Post by **PeterCharleston** » Sun Feb 17, 2019 10:53 pm

Hi all
Thanks again for the superb info and support.
Rob B has been to survey, lovely chap, not quite the same opinion of his little hammer though !!
Just when i thought we had removed enough interior !!
Hey Ho, the joys of Fairey Ownership.
So now back on track, ish.
Both Coach roofs removed
Both spray/chine rails removed
ALL interior removed, sorry Mr PDS.
All bulkheads removed, (dont worry shes been braced)
All steering gear removed
Both rudders out
both props off
1 shaft removed
Starboard shaft should be out next weekend, something is wonky, shaft wont slide out easily and is being forced to one side, looks like a bent P bracket or shaft, i have heard that Charleston took a knock when on one of her many land treks , some investigation required.
Essentially a couple of rowlocks and we have a splendid open rowing boat!!
Safely say there is more of Charleston in the workshop and out in the scrap bin than on the boat.
Just about ready to start putting bits back in the holes .
Deck update, the underside of the ply is in the majority very sound (Robs hammer testifies)the rotty bits are very small and localized where rainwater has tracked in via the nails/screws, we have removed a small section of teak stern port quarter and its very well bonded to the ply deck and quite thick.
So the jury is now out on the teak.
We will start with the hull repairs and see how we get on from there.
So not quite the Stripped by Christmas but we have caught up , Rob and Martin have visited Charleston, we now have the beginnings of a forward plan.
Just starting to develop a timber cutting list, Agba veneer and some large chunks of wood required, is there any tips on suppliers ?
All the best
Peter

Folly Reach · Post by **Folly Reach** » Sun Feb 17, 2019 11:23 pm

Robbins Bristol I think.Check with Terry Holmes.