More Work on Stem and Stern

Wooden trunnels firms up the stern post.

Stern post is being set in place - for good!



This late afternnon shot is of sheer legs, stern post and tenon.






Harold and Chuck checking out the fit of the next piece

  Harold has spent a good deal of time on the stem and stern over this week and some of the pictures here by Dan Tobyne are spectacular. On Saturday, young Zach, Chuck and Harold had a long day but were able to beautifully attach critical pieces to the stern and secure the stern post. Prior to that, it was somewhat precariously held by a chain and sheer legs. At the moment, the author of this blog, is on a "hardship" assignment in Bermuda -(seriously - its a fun assignment) but thanks to Dan we can keep you updated on what is going on in the yard this week. Also, check out the website to see the continually updated photographs of the Ardelle in progress.

Stern Post Is Up and A Job Well Done




 

The tenon joint - part of the mortise and tenon joint - that fits the stern post to the keel



The tenon joint of the stern post fit perfectly into this  mortise. Nice job, Chuck!



The stern post is being moved into place using the sheer legs.






The mortise and tenon joint fits nicely.



It looks pretty cool!



With the stern post now in place, we wanted to take a moment to give a shout out to Chuck Redman.
... Just as we were finishing the lofting process back in July, Chuck called the boatyard to ask about a day charter on the Pinky Maine. But, he said, what he really wanted to do was talk to Harold. "You're talking to him," Harold said. As it turned out, Chuck had applied to boatbuilding school in Maine and had to let the school know by the end of the week if he was going to attend. He came by on his Harley motorcycle on a Sunday and talked to Harold. After that serendipitous visit, he called the school and said no thanks.

Chucks first job as apprentice here at the yard was to check our lofting, create a table of offsets, do a small scale drawing and make a half model of the Ardelle ... all of which he completed in his first two and a half weeks here. From there, he has gone on to making all the molds and putting the bevels on them. He has also helped build all of the frames and yesterday, using our sheer legs, we hoisted the massive stern post that he built and his mortise and tenon joint fit perfectly. Chuck comes from a lifetime in business, operating an international family-owned company, so we appreciate his incredible work ethic and abilities. His family and friends are great, too!

Chuck, Harold and Simon Koch use the sheer legs to move the stern post into place.

Great work, Chuck!

Stern Post is Nearly Complete

Chuck Redman cut out the stern post here. Harold is pitctured below finishing it up. The propellor apperture is cut, the rabbit line is scored on the side and he cut a tenon on the bottom of it which will fit into a mortice on the keel.

Harold is pictured here boring some holes into the top of the stern post which will sit level when its erected The holes are going to be filled with linseed oil and turpentine which will be re-filled regularly and will soak down through the post...preserving it for many years we hope!

The stern post is nearly complete and the hood ends of all the planks will attach there. According to our friend the late Dana Story in his book the Building of a Wooden Ship "the skeleton of a ship is composed of many parts. While some of the gang are assembling frames, others are getting out the timbers which form the end of the vessel.." In our case, the gang is made of volunteers and an apprentice and they are doing everything at once, including milling the timber.