Restoration 12 1/2 #1070 Begins - finally..

[Bob Perkins]

Hi Everyone,

I've been lurking for a while - and working on finishing my current project, which is now complete!

I purchased the 12 1/2 in August of 2004, knowing that I would be storing it for 2-3 years while I finished this:
 


My runabout project went ~ 2 years longer than expected because of many reasons,  a kitchen remodel, a few months of unemployment, etc..  However - I completed some final modifications and winterization and it is stored for the winter.

My H12 1/2 made it to the shop on thanksgiving day:







I have already documented and taken pictures of the couple of boxes of parts that came with the boat - it came in this exact condition.

From here, you can tell that there are no usable components (or very few) in the hull. 


At some point, somebody added back rabbets to the keel timber


They were bedded with tar or something - it was not silicone, but was rubbery(ish)
The planking has also been refastened at least once - there are many holes..

The seat support is original


And I thought this was interesting - I think there should be a small removable step back here


So - all that being said - I'm happy to get started.

My first issue is as follows:

I have done quite a bit of research, I own every issue of Woodenboat and many books - however - I can't seem to figure out how to replace *everything* in the hull.  Each restoration technique assumes at least one set of items is reusable.

for instance:

It is easy to reframe a hull when the planking is good.  You can replace the floors, keel timber, etc. 

However - to replace the transom, frames, floors, keel, stem (i.e. everything)  I can't really figure out a way to do it w/o fastening to the old planking - then working on the keel timber and floors - and then making new planks.  This seems like it would work, except I end up drilling into the frames twice.  Which is not my first choice..

I have seen one instance where they used cable ties and battens to hold frames in place for replanking, but I'm concerned about loosing the shape in the process.  For all my H's troubles - the hull seems to have its shape.

If you have any suggestions - please let me know.
I'll update as I go.
Thanks

[Adam]

Wow - that runabout is a real beauty! Wonder if you could tell us a bit more on the design?

I'm sure the 12 1/2 project will go as well!

[Bob Perkins]

Hi Adam,

The plans are Ken Hankinson design - now sold at Glen-l.com
My signature link has pretty detailed construction notes.

It is not a replica of anything in particular - however - it resembles 40's era Garwood boats from what I've seen.
it is very light (maybe 2400lbs) and quite fast.  I've had it just over 50MPH.

[John Hutchison]

Hi Bob,
I'm currently in the middle of a complete reconstruction of our Fishers Island 23 which required replacement of the entire hull excepting the stem, transom, transom knee, shear clamps and shear strakes which will be repaired. I'm basically following the guide authored by Ed McClave and Andy Giblin of MP&G of Mystic, CT. This guide was published by Wooden boat in Vols. 184 thru 190.
See my photo link below for a summary of my project to date.
Since your planking must be replaced as mine was, you can remove some alternate planks to allow clamping of the new frames as they are steamed in and also drill holes thru the old planking where needed to allow tying the frames with heavy ty-wraps.  Prior to re-framing, I had to make and install plywood section molds and then fasten the old planks to the molds which pulled the boat back into shape.  I patterned my section molds from the construction plan of my hull...a compromise since Cape Cod Shipbuilding would not release the table of offsets for the boat.  Fortunately, with the original bulkheads in place the hull faired out nicely.
If your hull shape is good, you should be able to first replace the keel, stem, transom, and floors. Then proceed to cutting out and steaming in every other frame.  Then go back and replace the remaining old frames.
Ive been working on "Crusader" for over 18 months and am now only completing the hull.
Your runabout looks beautiful so I'm sure you're up to the task...good luck!
John Hutchison
http://s425.photobucket.com/albums/pp337/jehutchisonjr/

[Bob Perkins]

Hi John,

Nice work - I knew I would find a few people who have done this before. I'm getting the idea that dropping the ballast keel and deadwood is in my near future.  I have read the WB articles you referred to - as well as ones from 1985 on H12 1/2 restoration.  I have more reading to do.. However I did get a pair of molds in today.



I will likely make a couple more molds just to firm the hull up a bit.
Then I'll get the other garboard off and a middle plank so I can start to look at reframing.

Thanks for the info - I'm sure I'll have more questions.
Bob

[Steve]

Bob:  Congratulations .. the runabout is just about perfect!

Interesting that your 12 has a back rabbet in the keel.  Do you think it was added later?  I thought that HMCo didn't start using a back rabbet until after about 1170 or so.

[Bob Perkins]

Hi Steve,
The back rabbet was blocking added on later - it was not part of the original boat.

However - now I'm torn, my boat never had a back rabbet - but it would sure be tighter if it did...

[Erick Singleman]

Hi Bob,

Mine since it is one of the last boats built by HMC. has the back rabbet, or at least what is left of it.  My keel plank is badly checked and the rabbet is badly deteriorated, so I am going to make a new keel plank, with the rabbet.  If I were you, I would go with the rabbet even though it is not original to your boat.  My feeling is that HMC made the change because it was a solution, or at least a better alternative than the original joint.  Antoher way of looking at it is that a lot of these boats have had major work done on them, and even though the work may have been done by very competent boatyards, the probability is that some portion of the work may not have been done exactly as was done originally by HMC. Does this make the boats any less "original". There probably could be a big debate on that.

So, if you believe that the rabbet will make the boat less of a hassle as far as leakage and so forth, then I would do it.  I would just document somewhere that this boat originally had no rabbet, but that the rabbet was added in 2010 or whenever when an extensive restoration was done. Steve's registry seems to be one appropriate place to note the change.  Your records that wil stay with the boat would be another.

Just my opinion.