Classic_Boat_2016-01

1

2

1

Cyrille working on the

dovetails for the mast

partners

2

Quarter knees

notched into the

frames

O

ne of the controversies when restoring or building

wooden boats is whether or not to fi t a ply subdeck.

Many boatbuilders are against them because when

rain penetrates the deck – and it usually does – it

gets between the planks and the ply, and spreads, causing havoc.

It’s also hard to track down the offending leak. Many owners

want them because they are watertight – until they fail.

Boatyard Chantier du Guip’s position is simple: they don’t

recommend them. There was no confl ict on this one, as the

owner of Morwenna, Stéphane Monnier, was after historical

accuracy, so ply was out. The original deck was shot to bits, and

had to be replaced. Everything was carefully measured and the

new deck, in thick, quarter-sawn teak for dimensional stability,

is as true as possible to the old one, from the semi-swept pattern

joggled into the covering boards that entailed the tapering of

every plank, to the secret-nailing (or toenailing) system of fi xing

them, again very traditional. It was Guip’s fi rst secret-nailed

deck, but they have started doing it on other boats, as it leaves

no metal proud when the wood wears down. The seams were

caulked in cotton and payed in polyurethane seam compound,

as traditional tars soften in the sun and mark clothes. PHOTOS: LAETITIA JUPPIN C/O CHANTIER GUIP. INSET: JAMES ROBINSON TAYLOR

MORWENNA

1914 LINTON HOPE SCHOONER

THE RESTORATION

PART TWO

THE DECK