Details From A Boat Carpenter’s Notebook, Part One
The 23′ L. Francis Herreshoff design was originally built in Quincy, Ma. in 1939. She arrived in my shop in the winter of 2004 as a bare hull with only a few deck beams holding her shape. She left my shop in the spring of 2007 after being significantly re-framed, re-floored, re-planked, re-decked, and re-fastened. She received a new cockpit and interior, and all surfaces were refinished.
The following pictures illustrate a few of the details that added to the success in her rebuild.
The rudder was constructed using hand-picked Honduras mahogany. Note the hand carving which adds to the overall appearance of the construction giving a perception of high quality workmanship.
Hinged companionway doors were built with solid lower panels and louvers above to provide ventilation. The construction allows for the individual louvers to be removable; this is a valuable detail and richly appreciated when the doors need to be sanded and varnished annually.
One of the companionway doors before the application of stain and several coats of spar varnish.
Below decks the style is established using hinged louvered locker doors of high gloss varnish, laminated honey locust counter tops, and a generous radius on all bulkheads trimmed with mahogany mouldings.
On a boat of this size, discreet storage of the 12 volt battery is a challenge; here it is stored under the counter top. The drop in top allows for easy access to the battery for maintenance and removal.
Ventilation is of paramount importance to all wooden boats. The 6 locker doors under the port and starboard bunks feature woven strips of honey locust. These serve the dual purpose of allowing air to pass through and provide a handsome look contrasting with the whiteness of the bunk riser. The looker doors are removable; the door hardware is homemade using a turn button at the top locking the door in place and two tabs on the inside bottom made up of brass flat stock allowing the doors to “hook” the moulding on the inside of the locker .
The rubrails serve a dual purpose: the deck canvas is held in place, and the rails save wear and tear on the topsides when easing in and out of a slip against a piling. The scarf joints are of a generous taper and fit & glued on the workbench prior to installation. This picture is facing aft with the scarf joint going in the correct direction. It was decided not to use bronze half-oval as it would detract from the beauty of this exotic hardwood.
The “Aucoot” is nearing completion. Note the cabin sides and cockpit coaming are one continuous piece of mahogany as are the carlins on the inside. The toerail adds security when walking about the decks as well as providing a stop for tools and hardware, etc. inadvertently dropped on deck.
Rot was discovered in the butt of the bowsprit. Rather than build a new one, the rotten end was cut out and a mooring bit was added to the foredeck providing a solid anchor for the bowsprit. The forehatch incorporates an attractive low profile bronze vent.
Boats of this vintage used exceptional cast bronze hardware as specified by the designer. Note the foredeck chocks port and starboard. Moulding of plain teak quarter round was installed around the bowsprit and mooring bit. A larger piece of teak was fashioned for that dubious area forward where the bowsprit intersects the bulwarks at a very acute angle – traditionally a collection area for dirt and grime that is very tough to keep clean.
