restoring/rescueing a Binks 1967(?) Flying Dutchman

[HELLICONIA54]

I guess this is a rescue.the boat sat rotting on its trailer in Portland Vic for,i don't know how long. Fibreglass hull, ply decking etc.Bought the lot with trailer,spars and sails for $50.00 AU.A quick look told me that ALL the cockpit flooring ply had delaminated.Easy to replace,,,,ONCE everything else had been removed.LOL Internet search told me it was a Binks and a 1968 regatta stamp on its main sail gave me some idea of it's age.So far i've managed to remove all the decking,and am now(with the help of my son)removing all the old cockpit flooring.I was amazed at the construction of this classic yacht.The things people do to save weight.All ply is 3.5mm,cockpit floor same,but with 5mm ply panels in high stress areas.Under floor? the bearers are 1 inch thick polystyrene foam!I will try add photos,when i figure out how

[HELLICONIA54]

It's been a very long while since i last posted anything about my Flying Dutchman.Since buying the Hartley ts 16 i've had it on the back burner,but now my 20yr old son has taken an interest in sailing,i've decided to give him the boat,IF he helps restore it.We have stripped the decking and cockpit flooring,and are cleaning up the rest.There is going to be a lot of work,but i think it will be worth getting this 1968 Binks back on the water.So far it needs a centre board casing and transom.the rest is just 3ply.I have asked around everywhere for information on rigging,but no one can help The Flying Dutchman association is next to useless.I will keep this post up to date,will post some photos soon.

[Jon_B]

Father-son projects are very cool; I am just waiting for my kid to grow up a bit, let's see if he also get's interested on the topic!
Upload pics soon; Can't wait to see how it looks!

[HELLICONIA54]

My son turns 21 in Nov.I showed him video's of the FD's in action and he said YER! Mind you he is contributing to costs and often crews on my Hartley ts16. I'm a lucky father i guess

[Jon_B]

My son turns 21 in Nov.I showed him video's of the FD's in action and he said YER! Mind you he is contributing to costs and often crews on my Hartley ts16. I'm a lucky father i guess

Yes you are!
My son is still way to young to fool around with big tools, but when he grows up I hope we will be able to take on a project together and sail some day in our own restored boat!

[HELLICONIA54]

Here are a few photo's of the '68 Binks.305232305233305234305235 First is of the boat shortly after being brought home,second shows the framework after the decking had been removed,flooring too.Hard to see in these pics is the fact,that to cut weight,the boat uses styrene cockpit floor bearers.Cross framing is 3mm ply with oregon strips as framing.

[Nanigai]

Looking forward to seeing how you go with this, especially those styrene bits.
Good luck, Ian

[HELLICONIA54]

latest development.Finding a little rot in the transom,my son removed the old,after first making a template.He's now looking for a suitable timber for its replacement.The centre board case has splits too,so thats our next move.My son's crowning glory,,,,lol He removed and using hand tools made and fitted a new support beam in the stern deck.New photo's in the album.

[HELLICONIA54]

link to my photobucket album http://s391.photobucket.com/user/HELLICONIA54/library/kittiwake.

[HELLICONIA54]

Looks like the transom was made of Western red cedar? light weight,dark red,Only decent timber we could find was Tassie oak!!! Owen (my son) had lots of fun (not) cutting and shaping this weird looking piece.Still,thanks to decent weather for once He managed to epoxy the new piece in before having to catch his train back to the other side of Melbourne.Styrene? Ain't we lucky.At the factory he works at,they have just received a shipment for parts packed with,,,,,,styrene sheets an inch thick! perfect.Now for removing the old centre case.