Restoration Projects

Mariposa Girouette 3 ton 1936 Petmar's Progress Antipodes - 12 Ton Charlie - Restoration Letona Update Letona Gallant Maid Unknown 3/4-ton Hillyard Wanted: Portholes Sylvig ex Gyngleboy Alice 2½-Ton Allan Lindsay Winsome Lady Brynhildr Lady 9 ton

Mariposa

Be inspired by this first class restoration and superbly presented website http://www.mariposa-hillyard.co.uk/

Girouette 3 ton 1936

Your members may be interested to hear about Girouette, a 3 ton 1936 Hillyard that we are currently restoring. She has been owned by the French family for forty-odd years, and her restoration started back in the mid eighties at Burnes Shipyard in Bosham. That yard closed just as most of the boat had been dismantled, and she was moved to Combes Boatyard, also in Bosham, where I worked from 1987 until its closure in 1999. During that time she was almost completely reframed, the ballast keel was removed, the wooden keel and garboards replaced. A new pine T&G deck was fitted, traditionally canvassed, and trimmed in Brazilian mahogany. She was relaunched and kept in a mudberth for a few years.

When Combes closed in 1999, I moved her by road to Thornham Marina, Emsworth, where she was stored outside, but well covered, for the next nine years. During this time I have established my own business maintaining and restoring wooden boats, many of which are ex-Combes customers.

This spring we stopped up Giroutte’s dried-out hull, and relaunched her into the marina pool where she stayed afloat (after a fashion!) for most of this summer. In the autumn we put her in the workshop, and have removed the now-rotten canvas deck covering. We have fitted an interface of plywood and have sheathed the deck in epoxy and glass cloth, giving a ‘canvas look’. To complete Girouette we will be fitting a new interior, engine, and refurbishing the mast and spars. Apart from the deck, we have a ‘no plywood’ policy with this type of restoration, and by using a wealth of family photographs will return her to her appearance of fifty years ago.

If any of your members are in the Chichester area they are more than welcome to pop into the workshop for a hello. If its tea break they may even be lucky!

There are some pictures of Girouette on our website, listed at the foot of the page. I do hope you find this information of interest.

Yours sincerely,
Nick Gates
nick@nickgates.co.uk

Petmar's Progress
4th August 2009
She Floats!

She floats! Petmar hardly took in any water, and only a few dribbles remain. She is floating way above her waterline, as we have removed all the internal ballast.

What a relief, and the beginning of a new stage of the repairs

3rd August 2009

After 5 months hard work on Petmar, we are relaunching her tomorrow morning! Thank you all for your advice and support during the first phase of her restauration. Next up, cabin sole, galley and recovering the cabin top, with some deck sanding, painting and varnishing thrown in.

Will post photos when I get a minute. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hillyards/ Suffice to say she looks like a different boat now, with her new paint!

2nd July 2009

Work on Petmar is progressing well. All the planking that needed doing at the stern is done, and we will soon be moving on to the ribs. As you can see from the most recent photographs uploaded in the album, paint is beginning to cover the bare planks, and she is looking much much better.

We got a helping hand from Bernard, a shipwright who stopped in Boulogne for a couple of days, for the longuest plank that needed doing. We had to bring the new one quite a way because an anode bolted on the hull had caused the old plank to crack all the way through. Once that was done, the hole in the stern really began to close up, and suddenly she looked like less of a wreck.

The kindness and enthusiasm of several people has really made a difference. Someone here who owns a boat and who I barely know gave me a brass diesel tank and some other odds and ends from his old boat, which saved me from buying that! People get all enthusiastic seeing a wooden boat being repaired, and ask all sorts of questions. They aren't as common in France as I think they are in England, and the first query is "are you recaulking her?" It seems thats all they know about wooden boats here, that they need caulking. Actually, Petmar's caulking is in tip-top condition, not showing its age at all, so all we have to do is replace it where it has been removed around new planking. We are repaying the seams though. The mastic in there was plain linseed oil putty I think, and had hardened and cracked. Being replaced with red lead putty. Only the starboard side left!

On another note, there is a classic yacht festival in Boulogne from the 11th of July to the 14th (for the Bastille day celebrations), with tall ships, sail fishing boats, music on the quayside and plenty of food and drink. I will be present on Geoff the shipwright's boat Coppernob(1959 East Anglian). If anyone would like to come for the festival and enjoy the free mooring, drinks and meal on the Saturday night, let me know and I can fill in and send of the form for you, seeing as this is very short notice. (information requested: Boat name, type, size, year, number of people on bord-for meal tickets-, and any special features). It would be lovely to see some other Hillyards in the flesh (or wood!), and of course meet the proud owners.

Best wishes to all, hope you are enjoying the lovely weather we have had recently,
Abigail

Petmar arrived safely in Boulogne and the hull is almost striped of all paint. The boat was emptied of all the accumulated stuff and the rusted balast removed. As the paint comes off it is wonderful to be able to view the beautiful planking and imagine all the work that went into it. Also, it allows my favourite shipwright and myself to identify problem areas and take a look at some of the old repairs. Most were of very high standard, with diamond pieces graved in so neatly! It is nice to see that someone cared for her a great deal. I personally have a softspot for the Elm half heart-shaped rudder! We have soaked it in linseed oil and wrapped it up to prevent cracking.

Unfortunately, it is this area (the stern) which concentrates most of the work, with one spot of rot going straight through the hull. Good job we didnt prod that one too much when she was on the water! Those bits of planking will be replaced. Reading the posts on rot caused by electrolysis, it seems that that is what as happened in some places, with old repairs simply rotting and the rot spreading. There were three anodes on Petmar: two on the rudder straps and one diretly on the hull. I will probably get rid of all when she goes back on the water and see how she fares without. Friend here has a wooden boat with no anodes and the prob/prop shaft etc seem to be doing ok. We are just careful to unplug the boat as soon as we are not on her.

She will be going into the shed on Friday for the hull repairs, so the real work is about to begin!

All in all though, the more I work on her the more I like her, the cabins look better with all the junk out and the badly designed galley sink in the tip (someone added a sink on a pedestal at right angles to the original galley, which greatly reduced the space inside and looked rubbish). I can actually see the boat now, and I have spent some time down there daydreming already! I have the feeling I will spend many an hour simply admiring the beauty of the wood and the craftsmanship. I am one happy owner!

Many thanks again for all your comments above,
Abigail

Update - Monday 27th April 2009

Greetings to all!

Work is progressing fast thanks to the nice weather and the shipwright friend (can never thank him enough!). Unfortunately the chandlery that was supposed to lend us their hydraulic cradle on wheels decided that they wouldnt at the last minute so work is being done outside on the hard. This has led us to reorganise the schedule somewhat as the sun beats down hard and there is barely any shade. The hull is drying out and seams opening. To delay this I have already applied the primer and first coat of white above the waterline and will be learning how to repay seams this week to get the paint on below the waterline asap.

Meanwhile, Geoff (the shipwright), has been getting on with the stern, which is really why I have come for your experience and advice today.

The area aroung the stern tube is completely rotten. This includes planking and the horn timer. Some repairs were made before, but only to the outside. As the whole area is open and accessible, I am considering replacing the stern tube for a stainless one to avoid electrolytic damage in the future. This would also mean replacing the rudder shaft and straps as well as the stearing fitting at the top, as galvanised and stainless just do not mix. The original stern tube is not badly corroded. The dilemna really is that there is limited time and getting such things made can take ages, simply because everything needs to be fitted exactly right and it will take a fair bit of time to be made. Also it will cost be quite a lot.

Has anyone else who has had this problem with the tube fitted a new one? If you haven't, have problems in this area occured again after replacing the rot?

For the moment I am leaning towards the do not replace side of the argument, and will probably keep the original tube if thats what seems to be the general trend. We will replace the wood and rebed the tube and hope for the best.

Thanks to all,
Regards
Abigail

Antipodes - 12 Ton

The twelve ton Hillyard Antipodes has now been laid up ashore for three years with little time for the owner to work on it as he is in the business! At present the cockpit and tanks are stripped out, plus the rudder stock tube and exhaust hull fitting. The tanks may well be rebuilt by Tektanks. While the ironwork has been partially and incorrectly replaced by a friend of a friend. Not such a good idea after all! Summer '09 afloat may be wishful thinking but Summer '10 is a must.

The owner Jonathan is on 01243-512494 for advice help and encouragement.

Jonathan has over 40 years of sailing experience and recalls David Hillyard from 1962/63 when his father was negotiating with him for 'Permission' to but a new boat.

Postscript

Jonathan, please can you drop me an email on hillyardyachts@ntlworld.com as I am working from a photocopy with some missing print and want to make sure all the above is correct.

Charlie - Restoration

Charlie is a 1960's Hillyard yacht under restoration in the Republic of Panama, where a top class wooden boat industry is being developed. Using skilled wooden boat shipwrights and superb local timbers at excellent prices, the boat is being given a face-lift. Originally, the Fernweh, that sailed from California to Balboa in the Republic of Panama, she had fallen into disrepair and was about to be scuttled until bought by Panama Yachting Services S.A. for restoration In March on the railway of the Balboa Yacht Club the hull was restored and painted and much of the deck replaced. With new mahogany planking, caulking, new pine decking under plywood the hull was made sound and she got fresh paint. A second time on railway concentrated on a new deck house and the interior. She is on her way to becoming a top quality Hillyard yacht again. Still to come are teak floors and a teak deck, made from Panama's local teak supplied by Panateak S.A.

Letona Update January 2009

The work on LETONA was very slow in getting started but now that the professionals are involved things have moved on apace. About 30m of mahogany planking has been replaced with oversized fastenings in the original frame holes. That was a job best left to the professionals, who will also caulk the new seams. I will plug the nailhead holes and pay the seams with putty, rub down and paint the entire hull: topsides, boot-topping and antifouling. I also have to replace a small section of the af terdeck and somehow cover that with the same kind of synthetic canvas that sheathes the rest of the decks.I have to fit new chainplates which I have had made, re-glue the mast sections and attach the standing rigging. All the brightwork needs sanded and re-varnished, there is a splendid Taylor paraffin stove which needs a thorough clean and polish. The Baby Blake head and the 12hp Petter both need servicing, the stern gland re-packed, water and diesel tanks drained and cleaned, new carpets and cusions made and fitted, rewiring and some internal joinery and a lot of painting and varnishing.

After a fit-out for the 2009 season she should be ready to go! There's nothing to it...

As aye

David

LETONA

Twenty years ago I persuaded my friend Howard Nixon to partner me on the restoration of a tiny little cutter called TEXA, which had been under a tarpaulin on the beach at Tayvallich in Argyll for as long as anyone could remember. The project took us nine months – that’s another story – but I am happy to say that TEXA is still very much in use, and that Howard and I are still friends.

Having spent the last few seasons skipping around Loch Sween in a petrol-powered Shetland, I was beginning to have notions about returning to the glory of sail. I was half-looking at GKs and Sonatas, thinking how much fun my family could have off Scotland’s west coast in something fast, safe and comfortable enough for overnight stops, without having to worry too much about maintenance.

I don’t spend much time on the internet, but have been occasionally compelled to scour the Projects section of boatsandoutboards.co.uk in the vain hope that something very useful might be going very cheap, very close to home. And in June, it was. FREE TO A GOOD HOME the advert announced – seducing me into clicking for more information.

The last thing on my mind was another wooden boat in need of restoration, but sometimes one must listen to the heart, rather than the head. A Hillyard 9-tonner awaited a new owner, 15 miles away in Ardfern. We went to look at her. All I could picture was the image of her anchored off Tiree sent to me by the heartbroken but pragmatic owners. All my wife Mandy could picture were the other images sent by email: sections of planking missing from sheer to waterline on both sides, afterdeck removed and hood ends sprung from the sternpost. All our daughter Niamh could picture was a vision of herself at the helm, dressed as a pirate captain and muttering nautical nonsense. She’s eight. We had a week’s holiday in Cornwall (where it is almost impossible to escape from boats) during which Mandy agreed to let Howard assess the project’s viability, and to be guided by his opinion. Well, you’re reading this in the HOA Newsletter, so we reached the right decision. LETONA has now been moved to A&R Way’s boatyard in Lochgilphead, where I will work on her as time, inclination and money allow. There’s a lot to do, but I’m confident that I can do most of the work myself. If I get really stuck I can call on the professionals, and I will certainly be very grateful for handy hints from Hillyard owners.

Letona on The Road

Gallant Maid circa 1969 11 Ton Hillyard Ketch Restoration

Gallant Maid is currently being restored by John Hamilton and June Cockton at the River Brede Moorings, Rye, East Sussex. All being well the plan is to have her back in the water by the spring 2008. As you can see by the photos punctuating this article there has been plenty of hard work put in to the project to date. June and John write, "I'm sure lots of other Hillyard Owners will only understand to well the love they have for their boats. Love, sweat and tears....."

" Who says Hillyards can't fly...." A photo of Gallant Maid being craned from the hard standing at her moorings to a nearby field whilst work was carried out By the Environment Agency on local flood defences. Note the trustee tyre on her bow that kept her covers on throughout the recent bad weather.

A further picture shows John ' King of the Corkers (sic. Caulkers) hard at work.

I am sure all Hillyard Owners reading this will offer their best wishes and support to this fine looking restoration project.

Ancient & Unknown 3 or 4 Ton Hillyard - Project

Please find below some photographs of an ongoing project submitted to the site by Brian Cooper. (ex Lady Pamela J)

Brian writes:

I have been to the boat again and searched thoroughly for a name or number but no luck.

The bilges are painted black-possibly tar? Most planking is sound but some work is needed on port side/forward twixt hog and adjacent planking over a length of about 3 feet. Most other work-although extensive-is cosmetic plus complete recaulking.

Keel bolts need tightening but seem in order inside hull (those which I could access).

The mast appears solid. The sails are there, with a tare repair needed near the peak of the mainsail

I have not so far been able to find a (free!) resting place for the yacht. There is the usual yard accommodation down here (but at a price!).

Wanted: Portholes

Detailed below is a request form member Xavier Kormann owner of 9 Tonner Sarkl who is currently based in France

Hello,

We are French and we own  a 12 ton sloop build in 1964 .Is name is SARKL. We complete restored the boat: 60% of the hull is new,we used 5000 copper rivet,we also changed the decks and roofs.

I like to change the portholes but I have difficulty  finding them. Maybe would you be kind to help me for the search. They can be in stainless steel or brass. The dimensions are 600 x 200  4 units and 400 x 200 4 units

Thanks you in advance

M. KORMANN

Please contact Xavier via evasport@wanadoo.fr

Hillyard Ketch - SYLVIG ex. Gyngleboy

Please follow the attached link to see some stunning restoration images and associated story. An inspiration from new member Arne Sylvester - http://sylvig.dk

Alice - 2½-Ton

Part One

Owner - Will Fennell

Just to let you know my plan for my lovely little hillyard 2.5! Last year I purchased Alice, believed to be 1936, but definately a Hillyard 2.5. She was owned by the secretary at Aldeburgh boat Yard, Suffolk, where I am a boat builder. She hasn't been afloat for 3 years but I am in the process of giving her a quick spruce up so i can enjoy a summer with her for the first time.

At the Aldeburgh Boat Yard we specialize in classic restoration, mainly in the meter boat classes. Recent projects include 8 meter 'If', 6 meters Maida, Jo, Abu and Houri. 5 meter 'Indian', 50 sq seafart cruiser 'Hiltgund' and Alfred Mylne yawl 'Gudgeon'. Yard owner Peter Wilson is also currently building a modern (wood composite) 8 meter for himself.

A quick look over 'Alice' reveals that although she is a delightful little boat, she suffers from what I am told is a common problem in the 2.5 ton class, that of low standard joinery and general finishing. The hull however is in superb condition. The entire back bone is sound, no cracked timbers or floors and all well fastened.

Therefore my plan for winter 2006 is to 'lift her lid!' and replace the deck, coach roof and any deck beams which refuse to part company with the current, rather flimsy deck. I also plan to fit a very small inboard diesel engine with offset prop, and maybe if my budget and spare time will stretch to it, a hollow wooden mast.

I was pondering replacing the coach roof from the moment i got Alice, but I was swayed when the current owners of the afore mentioned Mylne yawl 'Gudgeon' handed me a Tesco bag with 4 bronze port holes in it! Not only are they simply fantastic to look at, they were the 1920 originals from gudgeon which the surveyor rejected during the restoration, despite having twice been trans Atlantic! So Alice having square windows, of course needs a new lid to fit round ones, decision made!

I will endeavour to keep you informed with words and pictures during next winter and of course if you or any other HOA members are in Aldeburgh please feel free to drop in. There is always something interesting going on!
Regards
Will Fennell
Aldeburgh Boat Yard Co Ltd.

Part Two

I'm not sure whether to call this project a restoration? I think a project becomes a restoration when and if the deck comes off the boat and in this case I have stopped just short of that!

I took Alice out of the water when the very expensive bilge pump I installed which was keeping her afloat packed up. Having sailed the entire summer with a more than damp bilge I started to get an idea of what I was in for this winter/spring.

As soon as Alice was out of the water I took the opportunity to drop the keel off. All the nuts came off the bolts with no real problem and before the boat was dry from her scrub the keel was on the floor. The hard crumbly layer of white lead stuck to the bearing surface of the keel showed immediately the cause of the wet bilge. what was probably a good soft seal between lead keel and wood keel 70 years ago is now a chocolate tea pot.

After giving the keel bolts some welly on the anvil they showed no sign of deterioration or metal fatigue so will be reused in the spring. With no room for Alice in the shed I have had to build a tent over her outside. This has worked really well so far standing up to a nearly full gale.

The first job in the tent was removing the coach roof. this was quite quick and was shortly followed by the cockpit and 3 bulkheads. All have been kept in one piece for patterning because they were nicely fitted but very tired.

I started stripping the layers and layers of paint from the cockpit area and when I had done so I had a good poke at the areas susceptible to rot. I found the usual water logged timber ends and some over generous use of sitka flex on the hood ends, but the real heart sinker was the stern knee. From my short season sailing Alice i knew there was a leak from somewhere around there. Some good poking with a screwdriver showed the stern knee and floor on it to be very soft indeed. I decided I would never get a better opportunity to replace it, so out it must come. The 5 bronze bolts all came out easily bar one, which had to be drilled out. lots of screws were taken out of the planking near the hood ends, and after some grunt with a prise bar the knee popped out.

I'm glad I did take it out because all the bolts holding it in fell apart on the anvil, the stern post was behind the knee was wet and the knee itself had seen much better days. The stern post is now drying out nicely and I have made a new knee. when I am satisfied everything has dried out well and I have done the necessary work on the hood ends I will fit the new knee and repaired floor. I will fasten with new bronze bolts and bed on sikaflex.

I will try to keep you up to date. Sorry about the essay, please feel free to edit where you feel necessary!
Regards
Will Fennell
6th November 2006

Part Three

Quick update on Alice. All floors have been removed, repaired and refastened, mast compression post removed and replaced with ring frame to free up cabin space, complete repaint inside, all seams cleaned out underwater, timber ends replaced where neccessary.
Will Fennell
4th July 2007

Allan Lindsay

My wife and I were smitten by the Allan Lindsay's lovely lines when we first got a glimpse of her at the Poole Yacht Club on a cold day in April of this year after driving down from Cambridge to have a look at her. The Allan Lindsay, a Canoe stern 6 tonner, (28 feet, beam 7ft7in, draft 5 feet, bermudan) with a centre cockpit built in 1957 of mahogany on oak, had been slowly deteriorating at her berth in Poole for the last eight years and was now up for sale.

Despite our growing panic at the amount of rot we found and our inexperience (The Allan Lindsay is our first boat), we were determined to have her. An offer was made and accepted, and, with the encouragement of Michael Walden, Commodore of the Hillyard Association and many others. we began the restoration of the Allan Lindsay

Winsome Lady

Brynhildr

Michael Walden suggested during his visit that I contribute some notes for the newsletter on what I have been doing during what has turned into a very long drawn-out refit. Much of the work has been intended to make her more efficient both under sail and under power, particularly if short-handed: in part due to the competition for space on the water these days: also to reduce maintenance in what is quite a sever climate. The changes to her general appearance and character are minimal.

General Comments

As I do nearly all the work myself I use materials and fittings which I think are most suitable or which can be adapted. Also, I keep a lookout for things which may come in useful (an inherited habit!). I have a Davey & Co. catalogue of the 1920's and it is clear where BRYNHILDR's fittings came from - how easy it was in those days. Not just in those days, a few years ago a local galvaniser lost two bollards and Davey & Co. were able to supply identical replacements. I have recycled as much original timber, and used existing holes in the structure where possible. I have also used plywood where appropriate (e.g. for hatch covers and locker bases).

History:

Built 1933 to my later father's order and brief specification. From memory I think he said the cost was £760 (of which about £100 was for the engine and £5 for the dinghy - 10 Shillings per foot!) ready for sea. I still have the dinghy, but rarely use it.
1933 - 1957: West Coast of Scotland
1957: Shipped from Port Glasgow to Sydney, Australia following the families relocation in 1955.
1957 - mid 1970's: Sydney Harbour, mostly weekend sailing.
Mid 1970's to date - maintenance only initially, then major refit with occasional use under power. The longest period out of the water has been about six weeks.

Steering:

Some years ago I increased the efficiency of the rudder by almost eliminating the gap between rudder and transom, slightly reducing the propeller aperture in the rudder blade, and tapering the training edge of the blade. I can thoroughly recommend this for transom hung rudders.
Last year I made a tiller lock, which seems to work well but required a new tiller. A 10mm nylon hole attached to each toerail, passes through a series of five 10mm holes or eyes in a fitting built into the tiller about two handbreadths from the end. Numbering these hole or eyes from one to five: 1& 5 are holes in brass cheek plates recessed into each side of the tiller, 3 is a fixed eye in the centre, and 2 & 4 are eyes on a block which is moved fore or aft by a rod threaded in a knob (in effect a nut) on the end of the tiller. Turning the knob, which draws eyes 2 & 4 towards the tiller end jams the tiller line.

Ballast:

I had thought for a long time that BRYNHILDR was rather tender considering her hull shape. I have lowered the centre of gravity if the internal ballast. The effect was noticeable even when moored, confirmed under sail 9th November 2000.

Spars and Standing Rigging:

The spars are original: the boom and gaff were shortened in 1935 when a cloth was taken off the leech of the mainsail. The mast was unnecessarily tall; I have taken 2ft-6in off the head and lowered the hounds 5ft (but not the forestay). Backstays now give additional support to the forestay terminating just inboard of the toerails about 5ft 6in aft of the mast on travellers on a stainless steel bar, controlled from the cockpit. I studied published designs and many books, from Dixon Kemp and Claud Worth to Tom Cunliffe before making any changes.

Sails:

A new polyester mainsail, not as high peaked as the original, is now in use, and a 1960's flax staysail. I have fitted two of the original three tan cotton jibs with hanks. A stay, to which a jib is now hanked, is attached to a bowsprit traveller. The geometry of the rig enables the stay to be set up taut by the outhaul. The jib can be set, or lowered and held down by a downhaul, from the mast. The jibs never had as much use as the other sails; even after sixty seven years they still have a pleasant aroma when warmed by the sun.

Running Rigging:

All halyards and sheets (except headsails at present) are synthetic. Headsail halyards are low-stretch rope; small winches for these have been fitted to the boom gooseneck mast bands. The throat halyard now has a single block with becket at the gaff instead of a double, which gives the same purchase as peak halyard. Coiling away after setting sail is now much quicker.

The above is a brief outline of some of the work done so far. If any members would like additional information, whether mentioned here or not, they are welcome to contact me direct.

9 Ton

Howdy Hillyards association, found your website a while back and it has been great to look through the pictures and info. Especially to see some of the restoration projects. I have just recently purchased a Hillyard 9 tonner. She is in North Carolina and I live in New Hampshire so I plan to move down there to work on her this upcomming winter. She has been out of the water for 8 years and needs a whole lot of love. I'm really excited for this project and fell in love with the boat when i went down to visit her. I guess I just wanted to let you know about this project that im so excited for. If you want to post the pictures of the restoration on the site that would be cool. I have a ton of pictures as she sets right now.
Take care Joel

Joel's 9 Ton Hillyard