The Fairey Owners' Club

Hello,
As has been mentioned in this forum, Seven Dials (H28) has been undergoing restoration in Totnes (and prior to that Turkey) for a number of years. Sadly the owner passed away at the end of last year without being able to get her on the water. His son in law and myself are looking as to whether it is feasible to finish the restoration in his memory (and for his wife to see her on the water). We believe the hull has been restored, as have been the engines and fuel tanks (which are in) and we also believe the shafts and props. We are looking for someone to help appraise what else is required to at least get her running on the water, ie electrics, ancillary equipment and I imagine fuel lines etc; and then depending on what is required to (or at least help) carry out the work.

We envisage the restoration being completed in two stages, the fist stage getting her running on the water, the 2nd reconditioning and fitting out the decks/cockpit/cabin. As she was a race boat she is very sparse and although we know she has some history we will probably have to fit her out a bit to make her more usable.

Any advice would be welcome.
Many Thanks
Rupert

Rupert,

a bit of a way from me but happy to discuss over the phone if helpful. I am not an expert of Huntsmen but have do e most jobs on my Spearfish.

Toby

Hi Rupert
As you have noted I have looked at Seven Dials many times when down at Baltic
Wharf, and spoke with the owner whilst working on my own Fairey boats. A
nice chap. I restored a Huntsman 28 in the yard a few years ago. Though
high quality external paint and wiring needed professional help.
The yard used to have a resident boatwright and engineer, the loss
of which means restoration would now be more difficult.
In the first instance you need to decide how far you want to
go with the restoration. Concours, or just useable.
You need unless you have the abilities to sort out your
supporting people. Woodwork, engineering and paint.

Personally I would have the boat surveyed now and when
complete, both for insurance and to clarify the work needed.

I have not looked closely at the boat. I noted the engines
have been painted, perhaps rebuilt.
Not much has been done to the hull, perhaps a bit internally.
New spray rails seem to be needed and can the decks ( teak)
be restored. I don’t know.
The boat does though look fairly sound and well worth restoration.

So in my view. Join the Fairey Owners Club. The forum is I am afraid
pretty dead, and info is better via What’s App group.
Get a survey. Decide on a marine engineer for an assessment and
some future work.
Find a source for timber and some marine woodwork.
Then make a plan.
I think the boat could be useable without too much work
but if you are going for Chasseur standard. The other H28
in the yard then that’s another story. I was told the hull
fairing and spray painting cost circa £25K.

Regards
David (Totnes resident)

I had a closer look at the boat today. More advanced than I thought.
I don’t think it would take much to make it useable.
I think anybody with practical knowledge could do most
of it.
The spray rails are damaged and do need repair and
perhaps a close inspection. That may need a boatwright.
The engines look pretty good and the shafts are connected.
Things needed are
Sea cocks
Exhaust connection. Pipes are there
Cooling water connection via filters
New wiring looms. Old are there and could give a guide.
Fuel connections via filters, taps and tank selection.
New morse cables. Controls corroded but may still work.
Do dials still work?

If you need an engineer the the local Perkins man
In Brixham Nick Oxley is a nice chap.

A bit of paint and varnish and it could be a go.
A scruffy boat for now but useable.
I still think a survey is wise and for insurance a
necessity.
The interior is not actually stripped out, but needs
fitting out. Toilet. Galley and upholstery.

For the future I am not sure the decks can be cleaned up
and the mahogany trim may not recover well enough.

Personally I would do a good restoration BEFORE launching
it. As long as you can do it economically. More pride of
ownership, but that’s just me.
Storage costs are a bit of a killer if you take. too long
though.
David

Last bit of info
If you need a boat builder for the spray rails then
B and A boatbuilders
Andy Pomeroy.
07855 882353
01803 832073
The family used to own the H28 Honeyrush.
They are local.

If you did want to do a real restoration then
epoxy to the hull after paint stripping could
be done as the boat is very dry. After years
ashore. Nearby is the Swordsman Furious
and the owner of this David Stone did a
very good job of this. He could advise.
David

Doesn’t look as though the advice was “very welcome”as
the poster has not even looked at it?

As I have just said to David, after a week my post had not been approved, and since then I have had no notification that the post was approved or that there had been any replies. I did however have some lovely replies to my WhatsApp message and at this point in time all is in hand. It’s always best not to make assumptions as to why someone hasn’t responded…..:

As I have just said to David, after a week my post had not been approved, and since then I have had no notification that the post was approved or that there had been any replies. I did however have some lovely replies to my WhatsApp message and at this point in time all is in hand. It’s always best not to make assumptions as to why someone hasn’t responded…..:

I will try to post again. As I have mentioned to David, after a week my post hasn’t been approved, there was then no notification that it had or that there were any replies (and the settings seem to be correct). I am sorry that I have so deeply offended people. Thank you for the replies, but at the end of the day I had no idea they were there!

I will try to post again. As I have mentioned to David, after a week my post hasn’t been approved, there was then no notification that it had or that there were any replies (and the settings seem to be correct). I am sorry that I have so deeply offended people. Thank you for the replies, but at the end of the day I had no idea they were there!

There is it seems an explanation for this. The poster has said that he was told by Ben
that the Forum was dead and nobody looked at it. Therefore he did not. He went
on the What’s App where he was directed, from which he got what he wanted,
and is” now acting upon it”
So Toby and I were wasting our time. Shame really. Perhaps the forum should
be closed if accepted as dead.
David

WhatsApp group for MEMBERS is great..