Seagreen
regular
Reged: 30/07/2005
Posts: 1219
Loc: ked myself in the locker again...
|
|
Prompted by the post on "oldest vessel in commission", got me thinking over the day.
So, for those of us involved with older boats, the question is "preservation versus maintenance".
By that, I mean that (and I really believe that) boats are best preserved by being maintained in a seaworthy condition, and that "preservation" is at best nothing more than a stopgap, delaying the inevitable demise of the vessel. So, I believe if an old vessel is capable of being restored to a working condition, she ought to be as, like the Gypsy Moth IV, Boadicea and Cleone, that's the best way to "interpret" them and preserve them for future generations.
OK, I also realise "budget" has a huge hand in this, but what do the rest of us think?
--------------------
"Let Joy be unconfined!"
I'll get her chastity belt keys, then..
http://www.linesquall.co.uk
|
monkey_trousers
regular
Reged: 02/01/2008
Posts: 54
|
|
I think 'preserved' boats look quite sad, get em used, its what they are for and is what they would want as well I reckon
--------------------
Restoring an old MFV Motor Fifie
http://bf494.co.uk
|
Chrusty1
regular
Reged: 27/02/2008
Posts: 847
|
|
I agree, also it breaks my heart to see them languishing in the back of some boatyard, mostly because somebody has run out of the where with all to see them right. Still I don't think it happens as much these days, as there does seem to be a greater interest in vintage / classic vessels.
I digress slightly but back to the original question, yes! absolutely, they should be used, because in use, they will get the maintenance that will keep them going......well hopefully?
|
KenMcCulloch
regular
Reged: 22/04/2007
Posts: 803
Loc: Edinburgh, Scotland
|
|
It's an interesting question and one that has been exercising my mind a bit. Should I work towards 'restoring' Border Maid, or should I maintain and adapt her to my needs. The former could be taken to mean replacing the alu spars with wooden, doing without electricery and indeed probably doing away with any kind of engine (maybe a vintage Seagull would be authentic). I am more inclined to combine the best and most useful bits of new technology and equipment with traditional features. A bit like bringing a house of historic interest up to modern standards of insulation, fire safety etc while maintaining the character as far as possible.
--------------------
Ken McCulloch
Border Maid
|
Seagreen
regular
Reged: 30/07/2005
Posts: 1219
Loc: ked myself in the locker again...
|
|
Quote:
Should I work towards 'restoring' Border Maid, or should I maintain and adapt her to my needs.
I go along with, 'present needs' as long as these don't conflict with the overall look of the vessel. My pet hate is wheel-houses on prawners - as aesthetically pleasing as tractor wheels on an Aston Martin. Cleone may be very old, and froma distance is going to be as authentic as I can make her, but still has all the mod cons.. Well, I'm working on the idea of a fridge, anyway..
--------------------
"Let Joy be unconfined!"
I'll get her chastity belt keys, then..
http://www.linesquall.co.uk
|
Chrusty1
regular
Reged: 27/02/2008
Posts: 847
|
|
A FRIDGE!!!!!!!!!!
You WIMP!
|
PyroJames
regular
Reged: 09/08/2002
Posts: 983
Loc: Cambridge
|
|
A step further of course is restoration or preservation. I think that boats that are currently in, or very nearly in commission can either be preserved or maintained. I prefer the maintained route, in fact I think continually upgrading systems but keeping oringinal structure and layout as far as possible adds to the history of a boat, much in the same way listed buildings are preserved. By all means fit an engine, fridge, electronics, but don't fit deck houses, and dinettes where none existed.
On the other hand, if the boat is well out of commission, then preservation may be necessary if funds are not available to restore.
|
Forbsie
regular
Reged: 09/03/2002
Posts: 2645
|
|
I had this problem when I bought my early-1900's Pinnace - restore to original or restore to 1945 when most of them had their decks raised. I went for the latter because I had no history on the boat but I was certainly tempted to put on a brass funnel.
|
Peterduck
regular
Reged: 10/04/2002
Posts: 994
Loc: Melbourne, Australia
|
|
I fully agree with the sentiments expressed. In my case, [which is all too common,] I ran out of budget. I also ran out of the physical ability to do the necessary work through arthritis. It was a real battle to maintain the Old Tart until she could find a new custodian to keep her in the style to which she had become accustomed. Forbsie has a very good point in asking "to what point in the ship's 'life' do you restore her?" I certainly wasn't going to replace the live fish well which originally would have taken up the middle [and best] third of the hull; that is now a very comfortable saloon. So I elected to 'preserve her' in a form which suited the use to which I wanted to put her; a cruising yacht. So she became an Edwardian-style cruising yacht, with no outward show of electrickery, save a radio antenna at the top of the mizzen-mast if you looked up there.
Peter.
|
Seagreen
regular
Reged: 30/07/2005
Posts: 1219
Loc: ked myself in the locker again...
|
|
Quote:
A FRIDGE!!!!!!!!!!
And in keeping up with the Victorian opulent style, I've lined the forepeak berths with leopard print plush... The wet locker is now a jacuzzi. Not.
But seriously, my chief problem is keeping the vessel "as was". Among my problems is the future change of rigging from stainless wire to galvanised, with lanyards. Technically, the galvanised bottlescrews were "the latest thing" in 1860, but I think deadeyes would suit her better. Also, I've an expensive but useless, though type approved set of oil nav lamps from DHR. Useless because the flames are not in line with the dioptric lenses so they don't show very bright at all. Maybe I'll fettle them a bit. They'll look great bolted on the light boxes, but I'm not happy with the state of flux with LEDs and I'd like to get an approved LED light to fit in them. Something really bright using zero watts of power. But the maintenance really is "not-so-little-and-very-often". Not for the faint hearted. But then, she's a proper boat...
--------------------
"Let Joy be unconfined!"
I'll get her chastity belt keys, then..
http://www.linesquall.co.uk
Edited by Seagreen (20/05/2008 20:48)
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
