IMHO a replica would not be started with the original as part of the build. Had he built just from drawings it would have been a replica. We know he is taking out distortions that have occurred through wear and tear, but don't think he has blatantly deviated from the original construction /methods, apart from using power tools where appropriate. His dogged drive to complete his build is very impressive. I would however doubt he would want to build a second boat that surely would be a replica?
As long as he has that huge chunk of original lead in the keel it just cannot be a replica!
I think it is brilliant for a relatively young man to actually put such single minded effort into a humongous project without the target of fortunes at the end, but the recovery and retention of a probably otherwise doomed boat.
Every car, boat or aircraft I have ever seriously worked on or rebuilt has always extracted a modicum of blood somewhere along the way - it just seems to be the way of the world. But with all the rather pre 'elf-n-safety machine tools that he has resurrected, I'm not that surprised.
He seems to be making better progress with the framing than I expected.
In my head, there's an area of space in the garden at the back of the garage that would be just right for a ship saw. I'm sure if I try hard enough I would find a use for it.
Great progress on the management of the project, as the penny has now clearly dropped that - without a lot more people working on the boat - it's all going to take far too long.
I was lucky to attend Leo's wonderful enthusiastic talk at the RORC on Tuesday: I really enjoyed finding out more about such a straightforward and yet complicated character and his fascinating background that led him to Tally Ho.