We were formed in the UK, and although our 'office' address and
banking remains in the UK we are run by an increasingly international Committee via the Internet. A number of posts become vacant every year, at the AGM, so if you choose to join you could also put your name forward to help run the 'club'. It doesn't run itself. Our membership is now more than 50% outside the UK. Click the chart for detail.
July 2020 Colne
Hazel Samways describes progress on her massive project, the restoration of a 52’ three-masted, junk-rigged ferrocement, Bruce Roberts ‘Spray’ design
I was looking for a live-aboard. I found her abandoned 
in a boatyard in St Osyth Essex. All her windows had been smashed, hatches left open and filled with rubbish, half full of water and anything of value had been removed. I could not bear to see her left to get worse and it was agreed the boatyard would move her onto the hard, so I could inspect the hull before making a decision. I discovered she was ‘triple keeled’ and that the hull, after pressure washing, was sound.
I press-ganged some volunteers and we started pumping and clearing her out. Then we pressure washed her decks and inside the hull, applied two coats of garage floor paint, inside and out, and ordered new windows. The wooden floorboards were swollen and the water tanks were full of rainwater and had to be pumped and cleaned, and treated with Milton fluid. New water pumps and a waste system gave us a working galley. The hardwood doors and frames had dried out without a mark, which was a huge bonus, and we were able to brew coffee and tea to keep us going.
The engine and generator have suffered from being submerged. A reconditioned 110hp Lehman six cylinder Ford was a straight swap, though the engine mountings have to be reconfigured. I found a new generator. The 24volt system has been largely replaced: with two batteries each, for house, engine and anchor winch. Re-fitting of the interior has been the easiest part as I’ve been doing carpentry since leaving school. I’ve completely stripped the rear cabin, including the steering mechanism (a Morris Minor steering box which is to be replaced by hydraulics.)
One of the major problems has been the sails and rigging. The halyards were jammed in the blocks at the top of the mast, so I was not able to pull through a “mouse line”. They were tangled up with the lazyjacks, and the booms, making quite a mess, so the only alternative was to cut away as much possible to release the sails. I found the fore and mizzen were perished, but fortunately the main was OK.
I have insulated the hull using foil, with battens to provide an air gap, finishing with 9mm moisture resistant MDF, bead and butt. (This made the purists to shake their head, however they now agree it looks good, and it’s economical). So now I have a stern cabin with two bunks, a seating area and quite a lot of storage. The en-suite (heads) was a mess, with a shower tray that emptied into the bilge. I have installed a waste water, pumped system, and I’m creating a hip bath arrangement. (I got the idea from a picture of Nelson’s Victory. If it was good enough for him, it will do for me!)
I’ve also refitted the wheelhouse and the companionway. This gives a large chart desk, with storage underneath. With the ‘lockdown’ for the Covid 19 virus, work has halted.
Hazel (aka Ian) Samways, a remarkable person who is 73 and undertaking the enormous task of refurbishing this three-masted junk, will appreciate help and/or advice on setting up the rig, either on the fora or by private email (see membership list for email address).
