The “Spitfire”, an Acorn 15, row/sailboat was down for repairs this spring. Last summer she took a hard landing with her centerboard on a submerged boulder (in other words she was run aground) which caused serious damage to her centerboard trunk. Upon further examination we also noticed signs of her hull checking (small cracks in the top layer of paint and veneer).

This called for a full repaint of both the inside and outside of the hull and some serious glueing and clamping of the centerboard trunk.

Lot’s of clamps and airplane grade epoxy!

While this was all taking place 4  twelve foot pieces of 1 1/2 X 1 1/2 fir were laminated to become the mast for Spitfire.

At first I whittled the twelve foot square piece with an old draw knife I had found in an old toolbox of my Grandfather’s. I quickly learned that one must pay close attention to the run of the wood grain and it wasn’t long before the square was an octagon. Then it was “to the rescue” by my boatbulding mentor, Murray S. who dropped off an electric hand planer just before we left for the Ranch.

Using an old draw knife I found in my Grandfather’s toolbox!

The electric hand planer definitely made life easier and although I was not able to completely finish the mast, I should have it done when we go back up to the Ranch in mid-October!

Shaping the mast for Spitfire.

I am also happy to announce that the Spitfire showed no signs of leaking when we got her back into the water. Special thanks to my partner, TEAA, who hand painted the name on the transom – the bullseye will also be completed this fall.

Spitfire and crew at peace, back in the water @ WSR.