Search found 504 matches

by Michael4
Fri Jul 27, 2018 9:56 am
Forum: Boat maintenance, repair and restoration
Topic: 11+ afloat
Replies: 21
Views: 26790

Re: 11+ afloat

...and... If anyone has an 11+ to check: Where do you put the halyard cleats on a quaintly rotating deck stepped mast? Out of the way of sheets. Both are in-mast unlike an early Firefly. What did the the rowlock fittings look like? They must have been raised to allow the oar to clear the curved side...
by Michael4
Fri Jul 27, 2018 8:53 am
Forum: Boat maintenance, repair and restoration
Topic: 11+ afloat
Replies: 21
Views: 26790

Re: 11+ afloat

Terylene. I only did the jib. Dilution very roughly 50g per litre (plus some). ie strongish according to advice. Started warm and then left for around two and a half days. Then washed in Tesco cheap floor cleaner and hosed a lot to get rid of acid. If it was calendered (if that is the right word) it...
by Michael4
Thu Jul 26, 2018 10:26 am
Forum: Boat maintenance, repair and restoration
Topic: 11+ afloat
Replies: 21
Views: 26790

Re: 11+ afloat

Pat, feel free. I hope to have some of it in use in due course. For those who doubt the efficacy of oxalic acid here's a pic of the jib before treatment (from Jim). https://farm1.staticflickr.com/934/43647929231_e26d79d506_c.jpg Screen Shot 2018-07-26 at 10.20.30 by dralowid , on Flickr Obviously I ...
by Michael4
Wed Jul 25, 2018 1:12 pm
Forum: Boat maintenance, repair and restoration
Topic: 11+ afloat
Replies: 21
Views: 26790

11+ afloat

Jim kindly gave me this boat earlier this year. The class has always appealed to me and I needed a small project. Today it hit the water for the first time in (I don't know how many, Jim might) years. It is a lovely little thing and seems to go well in a well mannered way. Any others around? Various...
by Michael4
Fri Jul 06, 2018 9:56 am
Forum: Boat maintenance, repair and restoration
Topic: Heat damage to old marine ply?
Replies: 3
Views: 8504

Re: Heat damage to old marine ply?

Stephen may remember the foredeck of Desperation. Although beautiful at the beginning of the season small fine cracks in the top of the ply would appear in the heat of the summer. Come winter varnish time they could be made to disappear. Same sort of thing happens with the foredeck of our Tideway. B...
by Michael4
Wed Jul 04, 2018 6:44 pm
Forum: Boat maintenance, repair and restoration
Topic: A mast glueing question
Replies: 3
Views: 8979

Re: A mast glueing question

All done. I used waxed line and rubbed it with an old candle to make it really waxy. Did the glueing in the morning and moved the lines around every hour or so (maybe less) till I knew the epoxy had gone off.
by Michael4
Tue Jun 12, 2018 11:11 am
Forum: Boat maintenance, repair and restoration
Topic: Good Mastic for clinker seams
Replies: 15
Views: 25844

Re: Good Mastic for clinker seams

Just an afterthought. If you use Sikaflex and then paint/varnish it after it has skinned but before it fully cures then it stays soft-softish for a long time (5+ years in my experience). This can be a bit messy if you put your fingers in the wrong place but it is an effective bodge.
by Michael4
Mon Jun 11, 2018 6:21 pm
Forum: Boat maintenance, repair and restoration
Topic: A mast glueing question
Replies: 3
Views: 8979

A mast glueing question

I'm about to glue the two halves of the wooden mast on the 11+ back together. I've glued gaffs and boom before so have an idea as to what to do however I seek advice from those who have done it before on a mast with in-mast halyards. Put simply...do you try and lay a line within the mast so that thr...
by Michael4
Sat Jun 02, 2018 11:13 pm
Forum: Boat maintenance, repair and restoration
Topic: Ben Her restoration
Replies: 15
Views: 22416

Re: Ben Her restoration

Just a thought, my comments regarding nails (two Michaels here) are based on my experiences with clinker boats, not something like your 14 though the principles should still apply. I am of the 'let's go sailing' school so would take the route of of varnishing and getting out on the water. Old nails ...
by Michael4
Sun May 27, 2018 11:06 pm
Forum: Boat maintenance, repair and restoration
Topic: Ben Her restoration
Replies: 15
Views: 22416

Re: Ben Her restoration

In my limited experience nail fastenings that are 'turned over' or bent on the inside (often through a rib) are best left well alone if possible. Clenched nails (rivets) can sometimes be tightened using hammer, drift and dolly. However, if things have got to this stage then refastening is most likel...
by Michael4
Mon May 21, 2018 8:54 am
Forum: Boat maintenance, repair and restoration
Topic: Good Mastic for clinker seams
Replies: 15
Views: 25844

Re: Good Mastic for clinker seams

I use Sikaflex 291 (I think). It comes in brown which is not not unlike cat poo but is less noticeable on a wooden boat. It works.

I use it on the outside and try to avoid using it inside where it would become quite difficult to remove should you ever want to.
by Michael4
Mon Apr 30, 2018 2:21 pm
Forum: Boats and bits for sale
Topic: Good cotton sails free to a good home
Replies: 5
Views: 6436

Re: Good cotton sails free to a good home

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/798/40399650125_258a15d00f_c.jpg IMG_3412 by dralowid , on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/899/41253135082_b4f8772384_c.jpg IMG_3411 by dralowid , on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/810/39486596000_af5dbf4a00_c.jpg IMG_3410 by dralowid , on Flickr https://...
by Michael4
Mon Apr 30, 2018 10:12 am
Forum: Boats and bits for sale
Topic: Good cotton sails free to a good home
Replies: 5
Views: 6436

Re: Good cotton sails free to a good home

BarneyC, pm sent...I've still got 'em.
by Michael4
Sun Apr 29, 2018 9:04 am
Forum: Boat Identification and Dinghy History
Topic: Calling Firefly Experts
Replies: 11
Views: 16778

Re: Calling Firefly Experts

F265 is listed as part of a batch exported to Italy in November '47.

I suppose it could have come home.

See this and yes, contact Peter.

https://fireflyclass.co.uk/boat/sail_no_265/
by Michael4
Wed Apr 25, 2018 11:55 am
Forum: Boat Identification and Dinghy History
Topic: not something you see every day...Freshman
Replies: 0
Views: 5550

not something you see every day...Freshman

Is this another forgotten class or is there a fleet somewhere far, far away? Looks quite sensible.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Freshman-din ... 1438.l2649

Tempting but my garage is now full.