This photo, provided by Peter Harris, shows both A frames bolted up to the hull ready for the propellor shafts to be fitted. Photo was taken on Friday 9th. October 2020.
The starboard A frame has been fixed to the hull and awaits the installing of the propellor shaft. The appropriate caulking for the planks beneath the A frame has necessarily been completed.
The new stem has changed from a squarish slab of timber to the lovely curved shaped of the original stem. Primed and ready for any fittings to be attached.
The Great Ocean Quarterly journal recently referenced the Alma Doepel restoration project on facebook. Their endeavours and fundraising efforts are worth a look.
The new stem is being lifted and positioned ready for final shaping and bolting. The new stem replaces the timber section above the steel covering the keel. Thanks again Peter.
Remains of the old stem – top photo
The grey gum timber selected for the making of the new stem – bottom photo.
Thanks to Peter Harris for the updates and photos.
Grey gum selected for the making of the new rudder post – 3rd August 2020.
Same piece of timber, now the new rudder post – 7th August 2020. Again thanks Peter
During the last week one of the tasks commenced has been the drilling of the pilot hole for the starboard propellor shaft. The shaft will exit the engine room ( as in this photo ) and line up exactly with the eye of the A frame that will support it on the exterior of the hull. Thanks Peter for the update and photo.
In August 2018 the samson post was thought to be repairable ( refer to post dated 20/8/2018 ) but it has been replaced. The new samson post – the large unpainted vertical timber piece – has been constructed and installed. A feature of a sansom post is that it is visible above the deck but extends through all decks to the keelson. This creates the maximum strength for the post which can be used for handling anchors, mooring lines or a tow rope. Thanks to Peter Harris for the update and photo.
In the last few days the starboard A frame has been lifted into position ready to be bolted to the hull. This frame is the support for the propellor shaft and is bolted completely through the hull.
The 2 photos below were taken in early 2013 and show the position and function of the A frame.
This photo below gives an idea of the size of the A frame. Both frames – port and starboard – have been cleaned of rust and primed and painted. Although not large each would weigh well in excess of 100 kilo.
Planing of the hull has been completed and the first of many coats of primer has been applied. Photos dated several weeks ago – end of June 2020.
