'Oh Joy' Restoration - 11/01/09, with Questions About Iron Sickness . . .

[CharlieCobra]

Here are a few of the culprits, some of who's purpose I dont know:

In the stem post, there's this rusted bolt:



What it does, I have no clue. The head fell off as I was digging wood powder out of the slot to expose it. Apparently it had a white oak block in the slot once upon a time. Here's the head:



Here's the inside as near as I can tell. There's a hunk of wood in that steel beam. What it's purpose is, I don't know. It runs about 5' back from the stem.



Here are some bolts that are toast in the bow:



What are those blocks called? I know they're not butt blocks...


Also, here are some deck beam ends with rusted bolts. Some of these exhibit softness in the ends but most don't. Should I replace them all or just the soft ones? All of these bolts are slated for replacement if needed. Should they come out or just be treated and sealed?



Finally, I've cleaned up some of the rib beds aft in preparation for replacing the ribs.



Any suggestions on what ya see are appreciated...

[Stillraining]

Just curious Charlie..how are you going to fasten the ribs your cutting loose seeing as she is glassed over?

[CharlieCobra]

Inside out. The ribs aren't structural anymore since the planks are frozen in place forever now. However, surveyors and the like wouldn't appreciate a blank space where a rib's supposed to be because most don't really understand how C-Flex works. Besides, it looks better when all of the ribs are there.

[Stillraining]

Got it..thanks

[SabreKai]

Charlie, could you perhaps take some photos from farther back to give a better view of whats all attached to what? I'm having a hard time connecting things because of the extreme close view.

As to that steel beam, can it be that you have a samson post coming thru the deck at the other end of the beam? If so I'd suggest that its a compression post to transmit pull on the post to the stem and from there back along the deck side beams via tension as they are tied into the stem.

I'll have a look at the wood boat construction books tonite when I get home and see if theres some other reason.

Sabre

[CharlieCobra]

I'll take a few more pictures tomorrow and post them up.

[SabreKai]

thanks Charlie, maybe we can puzzle this out then.

Sabre

[S&S]

The one running down the stem looks like it may be a drift. Is the block you refer to attaching the stem to the clamp?

Need more pics.

[CharlieCobra]

Here ya go.

Here's the bow from a wider perspective:



A bit closer..., what are those blocks called?



The bolt in the stem appears to go nowhere. The steel beam is actually wood and grooved to fit the centerline bulkhead in the chain locker. here are pics of the setup:

Upper



Lower



Bulkhead



Does that help?

[SabreKai]

Hmmmm. This is curious. I take it that the hole just in front of the bulkhead with the oval opening is your hawse hole. So that post up top under the deck only keeps the divider vertical so you have two cable lockers. Looking at the damage to the inside of the planking and ribs, it would appear that chain went in one side and rope on the other. Practical.

As to what those blocks are called, I'll have to have a look at my wood boat books. Been awhile since I looked at a wood boat. I notice theres no lining in the chain locker to keep the chain off the planking. Never seen that before. I'll have a look at the book tonite n see what I can find out. I still have no idea what that metal fitting is at the stem. Where does the forestay attach to? Could that fitting attach to this one?

Sabre

[Blue Stocking]

You will probably get the parts called by different names in other countries. In my experience the blocks are breasthooks, although in England I have heard them called stem partners. If the vertical piece with the bolt heads showing is not the solid stem, but an inside piece to help support the eyes of the planks where they are set into the stem rebate, then it is called the stem apron. The lining that Sabre refers to is the ceiling, even thought it is attached the the frames.
Interesting project, keep the photos coming.

[Stillraining]

Hey....look at that... my sawzall is famous...

[S&S]

A bit closer..., what are those blocks called?

Stemhead or Samson blocks (I've heard both). I just call it the stemhead partners. I thought breasthooks are just on dinghys.

[CharlieCobra]

The hawse holes go through the deck about 6" to each side of that beam and 24" aft of the stem. The forestay connects to the bowsprit, as does the staysail stay. The sprit bolts down through those holes to each side of the beam running fore and aft. No, there's no lining. Should there be? If so, I can make some stripping to cover the planks easy enough. There's another divider athwartships after the chain locker as well which provides another space for more rode or lines. She had about 300' of chain aboard, mostly 3/8's.

[Blue Stocking]

S&S,

You are correct, breasthooks now-a-days are usually only seen on dinghies as fininished items.
To reference back to when Charlie's baby was built, I went to my 1947 copy of Yacht Construction, by KHC Jurd,Technical Manager, Camper & Nicholsons, and I quote:

Shelf and Clamp: These may be made of Spruce, Pitch Pine, Larch,etc. The shelf is an important longitudinal tie, securing the upper ends of all the timbers, and providing a ledge upon which the ends of the deck beams rest. In classed vessels the size of the shelf is given in the rules, the sectional area being determined by the Lloyd's length L.
The shelf should extend all fore and aft, and the two sides are connected with a breasthook at the stem,and crutches or knees at the sternpost, transom or archboard of the counter. end quote.
Charlie, you are taking us old "chippies" (Royal Navy slang for a shipwright) on a much appreciated trip down memory lane. Don't stop now.