We took another look at Vanessa, the last-known Thames B‑Rater, now quietly resting in the boat shed — and showing her age in both elegant and wobbly ways.
This week’s inspection was joined once again by Don McDermott, master craftsman and wherry builder, whose eye for traditional boats is unmatched. Together, we took a closer look at her hull, ribs, and recent repair work — and asked the question every boat owner dreads:
“What’s next?”
🔧 Calking Out, Calking In
At the moment, Vanessa is undergoing a crucial phase of her restoration:
The old calking is being removed and replaced. This traditional sealing process — using fibres like cotton or oakum hammered between planks and then sealed with pitch — is essential to keeping wooden boats watertight. But the hull is very thin (she is a thorough-bred racing dinghy so every bit of extra weight is kept to the minimum) and probably only 6mm thick so calking is going to be an interesting job and not done in the traditional way. Don wondered how it had been done a hundred or so years ago - maybe a book search will help.
And in Vanessa’s case the re-calking is long overdue.
Last time Don took her out, she was taking on a worrying amount of water — enough to warrant pulling her out for inspection. That led to the current assessment and, we hope, a return to the river in time.
🪵 Hull & Ribs – The Good, The Wobbly, and the Repairable
Despite being built in 1902, the hull appears sound, with no major cracks or rot. That alone is impressive — a testament to her original craftsmanship.
However, some issues have crept in over her 120+ years:
-
Several ribs are damaged — not snapped, but with small sections missing
-
A few rib ends may need to be replaced entirely
-
Floorboard supports are loose or wobbly, which isn’t surprising after years in and out of the water
-
The wood has dried significantly, making now an ideal time to repair or replace internal framing
💡 Fun fact: boats that have been out of the water for years often shrink and open up — but that also means they’re easier to repair before swelling back into shape.
🛠️ Planning a Restoration the Right Way
Before you take on a restoration like this, it’s essential to:
-
Assess the damage fully
-
Get an idea of what’s repairable, what’s replaceable, and what’s going to be fiddly
-
Estimate how long the work will take — and how many cups of tea that equates to
-
Factor in the skills required, especially for traditional wooden boat work
-
Decide whether you're aiming for a river-worthy classic or a shed-kept museum piece
With Don’s expertise, we were able to get a clear sense of both the possibility and the challenge ahead.
🧭 A Boat Worth Saving
Vanessa is more than just an old hull — she’s a piece of Thames history. She represents a class of boat that tried to offer accessibility and grace, just slightly in the shadow of the famous A‑Rater. And now, with some care, she will sail again.
Final Thought
Boats age like people. They creak. They sag. Bits fall off. But with time, care, and the right hands, they can come back to life.
Vanessa has spent over a century afloat. She deserves another chapter. And thanks to people like Don who can guide me as I start the restoration — and everyone who appreciates the beauty of traditional sailing craft — that chapter might be just around the bend in the river and Sally can once again helm this most beautiful boat..
No comments:
Post a Comment