Spidsgatter Pax > Plank & Frame Project September 2007 (8)
Diana Talley, a shipwright for 25 years in Port Townsend and owner of Taku Marine was the "lead" in this project. Amy Schaub, apprenticed with her. The work is taking place at Sea Marine in Point Hudson.
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copperbandaid.jpg
This plank was slightly proud and had an aged copper "band aid" nailed over the seam when I bought the boat. Due to an opening in the chain plate above, I suspected fresh water had gotten into the area. Inside, the frame wasn't visible behind a ceiling. Once we started to expose the area, it was apparent the plank needed to be replaced and the sawn frame inside needed some TLC too. -
rotinplank.jpg
Once the copper was removed, Ask a Shipwright presenters at Wooden Boat Festival poked and exposed the weak part of the plank. At least a dozen shipwrights used the boat for demonstrations during the festival and this was one of the first stops. The circles to the right of the worst decay are the marks from the hole saw used to free the fastners (copper rivets in steamed frames and iron or bronze screws in sawn) so the bulk of the plank could be pried off efficiently. -
portchainplates0907.jpg
Here, you can see two of port chainplates. They are galvanized and were new on the boat within the last 8 years. Water had traveled from the deck, down this plate and where it ends, the combination of moisture from above, mixed metals and wood-to-metal condensation caused the area to rot. Diana cleaned up and painted the chain plate (an original design that some spidsgatters change - for good reason: to see them more easily) before proceeding to the "sisters" and new plank. -
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