Classic boat repairs and restoration at Mylor, Cornwall

The Mylor team have had the honour of refitting, repairing and restoring a number of different classic yachts and motor boats creating some eye catching vessels that can be seen around the world.

Classic boat owners understand the importance of having specialist work such as plank replacement, sawn frames, steam bent timbers and laminated timbers and appreciate the traditional skills and know how that goes into restoring a classic boat.

There are many traditional boat building skills that are so specialist there are only a small number of shipwrights and boat builders left with these talents and tools collected over the years to take in this kind of work and finish to a high standard.  We have these tradesmen, all apprentice served, who have spent many years in the job and have seen and worked on a wide variety of vessels. 

An International One Design built in 1958 was bought at Mylor. She had been neglected a little and was in need of some repairs to her ribs, planks and stern post to give her back strength in her hull ready to join the local St Mawes fleet of IOD’s. 

Replacing Ribs

Some of the original steam bent timber ribs inside the vessel were fractured; these were replaced with new oak timbers which were laminated in place.  They were then taken out, cleaned up and pocketed into the hog. We screwed and riveted through the planking using bronze screws and copper nails and roves to be in keeping with the traditional theme.

The stern post was also found to be rotten and was replaced. All the bare timber was coated with underwater primer to protect it in the future.

Carvel Planking

All of the carvel planking was replaced with new wood on both sides from the garboard plank to the first sound plank in the hull,.  The inside faces of the planks were primed with Primacon and bedded into the rabbit line on a white lead compound.  All the fastenings were peeled in to allow for scuffing of the hull which was sanded down ready for caulking.

Traditional Caulking

The seams were primed then caulked with caulking cotton, the traditional way of sealing wooden vessels and an art that is being lost due to the advancement of modern materials and DIY boat enthusiasts using modern marine sealants for ease. When hardened the seams were primed again and stopped in with a red lead and putty mix.

Keel Bolt Replacement

After inspection, the keel bolts were found to be aged and in need of replacement. While the keel was removed the bolts were replaced which we would advise with most vessels having work done on any keel. The keel was then re-fitted to the hull with a pitch impregnated membrane.  After a few days the bolts were re-tightened.

The hull then had all the fixing holes in the planking dowelled up and sanded fair.  This was then primed and hand painted to give a high gloss finish.

Below the waterline we antifouled so it was ready for relaunch.