Bronze or Gunmetal Boat Fittings

I would be interested to find out where or from whom in Australia I might source gunmetal or bronze boat fittings.

The background to this enquiry is that I am building a traditional dinghy sailer. It deserves better than galvanised or SS fittings. I am particularly interested in rudder-mounting hardware - gudgeons, pins, bases - and rowlocks and rowlock sockets; even cleats althought I can make those from wood I suppose.

I should have had the wit to make enquiries at the Wooden Boat Festival in February. I got sidetracked by the wonders of all that floating huon pine, the company, the pinot noir; and the oysters served by the aptly named "Get Shucked".

All advice will be appreciated, as ever.

regards
from Perth

One of our (WBAQ) members recently built an Ian Oughtred Ness yawl. He felt the same need for tradional 'non-ferrous' fittings. He ended up making the wooden patterns himself and getting them cast in bronze. Learned a lot about patternmaking in the process.

Let me know if you get stuck and I'll see if I can put you in touch with him.

One of our (WBAQ) members recently built an Ian Oughtred Ness yawl. He felt the same need for tradional 'non-ferrous' fittings. He ended up making the wooden patterns himself and getting them cast in bronze. Learned a lot about patternmaking in the process.


Your reply is very useful. I had not thought of that. I am aware of a foundry not far away (I am in Perth) that has satisfied other boaties' sundry needs. (My project is also an Iain Oughtred design, but at the other end of the scale.)

Many thanks
PB

G'day Peter,
There's an article in the latest Australian Amateur Boatbuilder mag on p 13 that says that Boatcraft Pacific (Brisbane) are agents for Davey and Co (UK) bronze boat fittings. It mentions gudgeons, rowlocks, cleats etc.

Give Ian Phillips a call on 07 3806 1944 for details. I see that their website does not reflect this info yet.

Thanks for this Dave,

I will follow it up, but with a little apprehension, I will admit. I found a UK distributor of Davey products on the web. The fittings ain't cheap. I could spend as much on the fittings as I have on the timber. Maybe the answer is that I should have set about a bigger boat.

It will be a little while until I am ready to use the fittings. I am mindful of some good advice I got from an experienced cabinet maker a long time ago: have the hardware in the palm of your hand before starting - my reason for the search now.

Regards
Peter

Peter,

Have you thought about making timber fittings? They were truly traditional. The cost of cast ones isn't a new phenomena!

Making them is quite simple and very satisfying, and on a small boat there's not much to do either.

Try these sources:-
Traditional Wooden Boat Fittings
Conrad Blocks
The wooden boat shop
Classic Marine (UK)


Cheers,

P

That's why Midge's Eureka is taking so long ... he's still making the capstan :D

Richard

I just returned from the Brisbane Working with Wood show. Had a look at Boatcraft Pacific's new range of fittings. Looking good! They are still getting their catalogue and web-site together but it could be worth giving them a call.

We have the catalogue (or a catalogue) of Boatcrafts range of fittings if you'd like to drop by the shop and have a look.

These are the only guys to use, as far as I'm concerned. Located in Melbourne.

http://www.briggsmarine.com.au/

They are an arm of a large commercial foundry, so you're buying direct from the maker. They will also cast your patterns - As a former patternmeaker myself, I used these guys for all sorts of things. Good quality work.

Having gone through a similar process, I found that a combination of local Marine Flea markets and eBay worked really well for standard fittings like gudgeons, pintles, bowline fairleads, oarlocks and bases.

As tempting as it may be to buy cleats in bronze, it is far more traditional to make them to fit your line and your boat from white oak or other hardwoods -- plus they look nicer.
http://www.luckhardt.com/spritboom-cleats.jpg

Hervey Garrett Smith's books on knots also cover making wood cleats and how to size and mount them.

Best of luck with your "Hardware Hunting"...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Wombat200

These are the only guys to use, as far as I'm concerned. Located in Melbourne.

http://www.briggsmarine.com.au/

They are an arm of a large commercial foundry, so you're buying direct from the maker. They will also cast your patterns - As a former patternmeaker myself, I used these guys for all sorts of things. Good quality work.

---

Exactly.

And even though at least one member here will take issue with me (I won't go into the argument again,) you can get these fittings through a Briggs agent at a lower price than you can buy them directly.