| Macatawa Bay Boat Works
Premium Restoration |
| Updated
12/08/2010
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| 1904
Fay and Bowen 21 foot Torpedo Stern Launch |
| Note:
this boat is being restored for our customer and is NOT for sale.
The
oldest boat we have worked on to date, this is a remarkably well preserved
beauty from the Adirondacks. It has come to MBBW for a total
restoration including a no-soak bottom, cosmetic and mechanical
restoration that may include a conversion to electric inboard motor for
silent, dependable operation.
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| Seen
here leaving the Adirondacks, it rests on a unique trailer - a converted
WWII army surplus bomb carrier! Note the design of the beautiful
torpedo stern, a new style change in 1904 over the previous fan tail
design. |
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| Towed
safely back to the MBBW shop, we have removed the interior and is in the
process of removing the engine, a Fay and Bowen four cylinder, probably
from the 1920's |
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Rolled over, we begin to strip layers of
paint to assess the condition of the hull.
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original cedar planking with traditional
cotton sealed seams
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Looking fairly good for being 104 years
old!
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| Original
bottom removed, bottom structure repaired where needed, a new keel was
laminated |
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| Beginning
to laminate the new no soak bottom from three ply premium Okoume 3mm
marine plywood |
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| Drilling
the new shaft hole in the keel. |
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| Fairing
in the bottom and hullsides |
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| Hullsides
stripped, fair and ready for paint |
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| Above,
decks removed, structure reinforced where needed and we start on the
installation of new mahogany decks |
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| Staining |
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| Laying
seam compound in the deck seams |
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| Capping
the shear with new oak, making new oak half and quarter round trim |
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| Laminating
a coaming cap to strengthen the seam bent coaming |
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| now
its time for bilge paint and interior restoration |
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| oak
trim molding added to the seat recessed panels, a Fay and Bowen design
detail |
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| The
customer would like us to produce a surrey top for the boat, this was an
option back in 1904 and we have started to build the top frame and curved
outer hoop. It took every clamp in the house and some we brought in
from home! |
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| Temporarily
mounting the top frame to the boat to check for correct height |
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From here the top framework will be
sanded, stained and varnished. The top will be supported by turned
mahogany poles and held securely in place with brass recasts of the
original pole hardware. The top frame will be covered in canvas,
then we will continue with dark green leather upholstery cushions and a
modern battery powered electric inboard engine with new motor box, helm
station and steering.
Please check back as this project
continues . . .
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