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John Burke has sent in these pics of his unique 3 tonner. She is undergoing repairs at Hoylake Sailing club on the Wirral. At present she has no name... She has never been launched! To my knowledge it is the only one so far to have been clinker built! Must have been yard built I suspect, someone has made a nice job of her.
My historical knowledge
of the boat is "patchy" but I know that it was built here in Hoylake,
possibly in the late 70's or early 80's. Unfortunately, it was never
completed due to the death of the builder so it has never been in the water.
The planking is larch on oak frames which are spaced at 9 inch centres. I
have some of the plans including drawing 109, sheets 1 to 6 and an
additional sheet by Maurice Griffiths detailing how bilge keels can be
attached. The sail plans are Bermudian sloop and gaff sloop. My first job
is to take the old paint work off and check for signs of rot in the
planking. Hopefully John will be able to continue sending in update pics and a few words to explain what is going on her. Work seems to be well under way anyway! *************************************************************** May 2008, John has been in touch and words are on their way! JW.
The first shows a view
of the new carlins primed in grey and also the new bulkhead finally in
place. I have also built a shelf in the forepeak. There is still work to do
on the port sheer plank before I can fit the deck. The second photo shows a new main beam and a view of the bulkhead from inside the cabin. Sorry about the centre board in the foreground.
Please find attached a
few shots of the hull repair on my boat. I had this job done professionally
by one of the few remaining craftsmen who can do this sort of work in this
area. The rotten planks were removed all the way aft to the transom and then
scarfed at the forward end. Fortunately the ribs were okay. ******************************************** November 08. Update.
I still need to taper them towards the forward end before I finally glue them in place. The corner post is made from the same wood but is 3 pieces glued together. John ****************************************************** November 2009.
Late November 2009 John has sent these pictures in.
He is making good progress, the foredeck beams are in place and the decks going on. the odd shaped little window, he assures me is only because the frame is not secure and it has slipped. He admits it will be a problem to seal the vertical tongue and groove on the cabin, but with modern mastics it is possible and it will look right! The boat is re-enforced with sensible galvanised steel angle alongside the hog.
Hopefully the winters snows will soon be past and progress reports will come in thick and fast once work restarts! John W. August 2010. Hi John,
Apologies for not being in touch for so long. Please find up dates of the boat attached. These two photos of the rudder show the fastenings. I have remained faithful to the drawings with these. They have got to come back off to be galvanised very soon. Thankfully I acquired the rudder when I got the boat. It has been very well built with two sheets of inch thick ply glued and screwed together. The tiller still needs a lot of work to bring it back to life
The companionway hatch is nearly finished. It's made out of old
gymnasium teak floorboards. They have come up quite well but still need more
work yet before it is complete. The cabin roof is finally on but as yet not
sealed down mainly because I still have the fitting out to do in the cabin.
Well done John, Good to see her going back together! |
April 2011. John has sent in a few more pictures to show us how he is getting on, and getting on well he is by the looks of it!
Hi John,
The little window was still there then! Gunwale on and chain plates secured Hello that window looks neater! Engine beds going in! Aft locker and stern deck area. Good coat of primer on to protect her. Looking more like a boat now! Will not be long before she gets her bottom wet surely! Look forward to the next batch now spring has come and outdoor work has begun again in earnest. John W.
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April 2013.
John has rigged the mast, first with the old rigging, then with new.
John is promising more pics and more progress reports shortly. all we need is some decent weather to allow us all to get on outside! Look forward to more updates. John W. April 2014. Hi John. sorry it's been so long. Please find attached a few more pics. I've been working quite a lot in the cockpit area and it's coming along quite well.
As I was working on the boat a couple of days ago I was approached by a gentleman who informed me that he indeed had the boat built in 1967 by a boatbuilder by the name of Sid Higgins. Sid had a workshop by the railway sidings not too far from West Kirby Sailing Club. As you know 3 Tonners are usually carvel built but Sid wanted to build it in clinker and the owner agreed. Unfortunately Sid died before he could finish the build and the original owner sold it on as a part completed boat. It lay unfinished for 40 years before I acquired it. And so the historical jigsaw is now complete. John Burke John you are to be congratulated, she is nearing completion and looks terrific. Not long before that tiller comes alive in your hand. John W. |
June 2017.
After 10 years of 'restoration' and building completion, she is afloat in Hoylake...
A very proud owner and restorer!
So OK John, what eventually was she named! John W.
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