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Reclaimed Totara Yacht
Issue: Issue 311
Posted Date: 10/9/2012
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I have a friend in New Zealand who worked in the forestry there, and had the good fortune to have some Totara trees to dispose of...I put my hand up, and duly acquired a couple of very large ones, which my brother and I chainsaw milled into flitches, and then converted it all into useful-sized lumber using a breast bench circular saw coupled to a tractor for power. The outcome of many months of sawing, was to convert most of the timber into 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" strip planking to build a 31ft yacht with....this was accomplished after about 12 years of on-off construction.
It was a daunting project to start with, but once construction had past the frame up stage, and planking had begun, it was a piece of cake. I would recommend boatbuilding to all members of this Forum, as being very therapeutic, and needing only a few basic tools, and a good eye. A plum bob, and a spirit level are needed to set up the frames, but after that it is mostly eyeology. I never did get to sail the yacht, but did give it sea trials with motor only, as I had to sell up because of matrimonial problems. One picture is during the planking stage and one is waiting on the tide to rise and float her away.
- Richard Beveridge; Fremantle, Western Australia
