Castine, Maine S-boat

[Adam Langerman]

Saw this on the side of the road leaving Castine yesterday.  In need of a little TLC.  No builder plate that I could see...

[Steve]

Thanks, Adam.

OK guys ... let's get started on this one!

I'll ask Sturgis if he knows about her.

-Steve

[Adam]

Is there an easy way to tell the diff between a Herreshoff and say a Lawley built?

[Steve]

That's a good question.  I don't know.  Molded sheerstrakes maybe?  From this photo, it is hard to tell if this boat has real Herreshoff molded sheerstrakes or not.

[Steve]

Sturgis says:

"Yes, about ten years ago it was moored off one of the coves facing west in Stonington, on Deer Isle. Later, I saw it stored in someone's backyard.  Never saw it again. It seemed in fine condition at the time.
 
Hopefully, it is going to good owners.

Memory is vague, but I think I even tracked down the owner and he told me the sail number. Dont' recall what it might be."

Afraid that's not enough, but at least it's a start.  Maybe he will remember more later.

[Adam]

It amazes me how fast wood boats deteriorate when not maintained. In fine condition to these pics in 10 years give or take....

[Steve]

It doesn't look like an S Boat keel to me.  I wonder what the story is with that.

[Adam]

looks like the lead was removed....

[Steve]

Yeah.  I hope that doesn't mean the owner is "cashing out" before the man with the chainsaw arrives.

[John Hutchison]

It looks to me like the ballast is sitting on a pallet to the left of the boat (1st photo). I would say this is an HMC built boat. The molded strakes are butted with fin-heat bolts exactly like my FI 23.
Hutch

[Adam]

Good catch John! Didn't see that in the first pic....and what are "fin-heat bolts"?

[John Hutchison]

Oops...thats fin-head bolts...a believe a Capt. Nat invention used extensively by the company.  MP&G sells them or you can forge them yourself  as I do.
John

[Adam]

Thanks John....Ummmmm....Errr.....What’s a fin-head bolt?  Can you tell I haven't built/Re-Built an original Herreshoff  (Does that make me an arm chair enthusiast? - or as Steve calls it an "aficionados"  ).

And you forge the thingy-ma-jig yourself to boot.....now I'm really feeling inadequate.....

[John Hutchison]

Adam,
Here's what they look like...and they're really not difficult to make.  They are used to bolt frames to floors, deck beams to shear clamp, shear strake to shear clamp and other uses. The savings is about 90% (not including your time) if you make your own vs. purchasing. My time is cheap!

[Adam]

Very cool! - Hmmm rather simple, self descriptive item!

I assume the "fin's" set into the wood so they won't spin when tightening the nut side - thus the need for one worker vs two...and a nicer finish without a slot.

Oh, and somehow I think your time is not cheap no matter what you say!