Replacing Frames On A Lapstrake Boat
By: Lou Ronca
On September 16th a symposium was held at the shop of Barry West’s in Apopka. Barry discussed a unique way to restore the hull of a damaged lapstreak boat by laminating new frames without taking the entire boat apart. The symposium was attended by fourteen members and friends, some coming from as far away as Stuart and Melbourne, Florida.
Following a period of instructions as to the procedure for removing each frame and building the new four piece laminated sections, Barry proceeded to replace one of the eleven broken frames in the boat. Although somewhat time consuming this procedure is cost effective and allows for saving a boat that otherwise would have been destroyed and sold for parts.
Clamps are installed across main stringers to bring the secondary stringers back into position before replacing the frames.
Barry builds mockup of four piece laminated frames, demonstrating how they will be measured and cut then glued into place one at a time.
The group inspects eleven broken frames and the progress to date toward replacing them.
As many of you have heard, the Sunnyland Board of Directors at their last meeting approved for the SCAMPY program to proceed in developing an adult program, to be operated as an add on to the youth program. The intent is to provide a facility and environment where existing members as well as new members can come to share their knowledge and get assistance in repairing and restoring antique boats. Following the symposium at Barry’s shop, some of the group proceeded to the SCAMPY shop in Tavares where Alan Schilk brought in his 1951 Chris Craft 17 foot Sportsman. As a first effort of the adult program, the boat was brought to the shop so it could be rolled over in preparation for restoration.
Alan Schilk’s from Stuart, Florida gets assistance at the SCAMPY shop rolling over his 1951 Chris-Craft Sportsman in preparation of restoration.
