Thread: King Billy? clinker dinghy project

Originally Posted by Huon pine fan

I have been gifted an 11ft clinker dinghy said to have been built of King Billy pine. She came from Tasmania and is claimed to have been a tender for a missionary ketch in the Pacific for some 40 years from probably the early 1960's. No idea as to actually how old she is.
At some point in time she was glassed over which the friend who gave it to me had started to remove. As to whether it is hiding any horrors is yet to be revealed. At a cursory glance the ribs are solid and no obvious damage to the planks other than the port top plank which has some edges missing. The gunwhale rubbing strip is cactus and a couple of the rowlock blocks need replacement.
Whilst I don't need a dinghy it attracted my interest as a project that will give me the satisfaction of using some of my late grandfather's shipwright tools as well as his collection of copper nails, roves and brass screws that I inherited.
I think that my first issue will be to remove the old fibreglass. My friend was using a heat gun and scraper. Has anybody done this before? What is the best way to go about it?
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Looks like a good project and the boat represents some sweet lines there. Not sure about the use of a heat gun as it could potentially 'fuse' the fibreglass back onto the planks. Then there is then the release of some nasty fumes from this, which I'd avoid if possible. It looks as though, from the bow that it could be peeled back with some convincing? Try not to use Brass screws on a boat and aim for Monel,Bronze or 316 Stainless. Regardless and judging by the timber being of exceptional quality, it would be very worthwhile to bring her back to former glory. Regards C.R.

Originally Posted by Cool Runnings

Try not to use Brass screws on a boat and aim for Monel, Bronze or 316 Stainless.

Thanks for the heads-up on brass v bronze C.R.

She certainly looks to be worth saving.
Heat gun and scraper are probably your best tools. A broad bladed chisel or similar to get in under the glass may be useful but be careful not to damage the timber too much.
I wouldn't worry about the resin wicking back into the timber. Its liquid days are long gone but heat will certainly soften it so that you can pull it off. You might find it helpful to have 1 person on the heat and another pulling on the glass. If you can get a good grip and pull hard you might get it off in large sheets. Particularly if it is polyester resin (and it most likely is) which adheres poorly to the timber.

Mark

Originally Posted by Huon pine fan

Thanks for the heads-up on brass v bronze C.R.

If your budget can stretch it,these Mirka sanders are the best that I've come across. This one is a 77mm and with the extra pad saver ,goes well on compound curves such as your lapstrake boat. The 40 grit would have it back in no time and is what I used on a Folkboat hull recently to remove multiple layers of paint and antifoul.

Have Fun!