As with any old wooden boat, Curlew presents us with many challenges as we endeavor to keep her sound. The following will provide insight into the many projects we have undertaken since her change in ownership in 2002.
December 2002 a short five months after the purchase date, the bobstay tang gave way to corrosion, requiring a quick haul out at South Coast shipyard to have a new one custom made. This was, in fact, the second emergency haul out the first only a week after taking delivery. The first was to replace a leaking shaft seal, but the process required cutting the 1.25 ” SS prop shaft in two places to remove a corroded old shaft brake. Yup a new shaft had to be made, definitely an expensive first week!
First Sail – shake down sail in Newport Harbor.
Corroded Bob Stay Tank.
In November 2003 we hauled Curlew out again for some well needed bottom work. (Her bottom had some ten years of paint buildup). In this picture she has been wooded, all old paint removed.
We re-caulked a few seams and then sealed the bare wood in penetrating epoxy, primed and applied fresh bottom paint. One of her rudder pintles was also replaced.
A later picture of what was The new Campbell Sailor Prop This new prop replaced a traditional 3 blade and reduced prop walk, while increasing engine rpm’s to proper working specs.
In June 2004 , we discovered signs of wood rot below the starboard foremast chain plates. Subsequently several planks were removed to address the problem.
2004 I watch as Shipwright Rick Brown takes a sawz-all to Curlew.
2005 – more planks replaced..this time dockside.
Above the waterline she is caulked the traditional way.
At our October 2005 haul out we were required by the USCG to pull a random sample of hull fasteners for examination. All that we pulled were replaced regardless of condition.
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2006 We did a planned selective refasten
More refastening.
We decided to do a selective refasten, and in January of 2006 added some 350 fasteners.
June 2007, Rick Brown replaced a few suspect stern planks.
In June of 07, Roger noticed some paint bubbling just below the bulwarks on the port stern. Investigation revealed some dry-rot, so once again repairs were made.
In December 2010 we found some dry rot in the bullwark.
2008 saw us removing the old Kohler 8 kw JenSet. It was pushing the stern down too much.
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While Rick Brown, Shipwright was working on the stern, Ed Benz and I undertook to remove the old Kohler 8kw genset.
Ok it’s out, now to get it off the boat. Here John Keith gets it ready for the second lift, this one to the dock.
Moving Genset to dock
Genset alternator on dock
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Stern Plank Replacement
In June of 07, Roger noticed some paint bubbling just below the bulwarks on the port stern. Investigation revealed some dry-rot, so once again repairs were made.
Rebuilding the Stern
Stern Canopy
In 2008 we undertook to complete the dry rot repairs, and began by Rick tearing apart the stern. Here we are uncovering fasteners that will need to be removed
So far still dismantling.
Opening up the stern
Boomkin Removal
Caprail Joint
Covering Board Removed
With the covering board off you can see the structure. fortunately the dry rot had not gotten that far.
Finally we turn the corner and start putting things back together.
New Covering Board Takes Shape
Repfitting the Bullwaark
Sanding new covering board
Finally we turn the corner and start putting things back together.
Still rough but mostly back together.
Bullwark Repair
In December 1010 we found some dry rot int he bullwark.
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Which Rick repaired dockside
2011 Tsunami Damage
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2011 Tsunami Damage Repair
Bulwark Repair 5
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Bulwark Repair 1
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To prepair for keel bolt inspection we had to remove the water tanks.
Old Watertank removal
In 2011 we removed the old water tanks so we could access the bilge for keel bolt inspection
Base on the number of years in service we decided to have the transmission rebuilt. The year was 2012
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One day as we were preparing for a charter, and the engine was warming up, the fresh water pump froze up requiring a replacement. Fortunately we had a spare. We also chose to rebuild the saltwater pump while we were at iit.
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USCG new rule requires us to unstep the masts every ten years for inspection. We used the opportunity to paint the masts, install a new radar unit, and B&G mast head unit.
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Terry connecting the hoisting strap to the crane hook
