CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 39LEAF OF BRISTOL
2 A total of three (sessile) oaks and four larch trees
were selected by the two Tims and felled by tree
surgeon David Tugwell and colleague Daren. This oak,
about to be felled, was used for the keel.(^12) The Scout hut at Redcli e Wharf had the only fl oor
large enough for Leaf’s sail, so both Tims worked there in
the evenings, making it in polyester sail cloth. A junk sail
is cut fl at, making the process relatively simple.
(^11) The complex, hollow, Douglas fi r mast tapers up
from its massive step to a full 11in (28cm) diameter at
deck level, then down to the tip. Its walls, as well as its
form, are tapered and it weighs 120kg (265lb).
(^10) The deck is two layers of marine ply (9mm and
6mm), fi nished with two layers of glass, to form a “light,
strong box”. It’s over Lloyds spec, but Tim considered
it necessary to take the strain of the gargantuan mast.
(^8) Leaf is all timbered – no sawn frames. It gives greater
strength for weight (with none of the inevitable grain
run-out you get with sawn members), easier fi tting of
beamshelf and stringers, and a more spacious interior.
7 The larch planks went on without a hitch: “If you get
the tuck plank right, the rest will follow above and
below it,” Tim explained. They were caulked in cotton,
then payed with red lead putty, the traditional way.
(^6) Transom and temporary battens in place. The 100
steamed timbers went in in just two days, and the
wood was of such a quality that not a single one
broke during this process.
4 The transom was glued up from 1in (25mm) thick oak
boards. Fashion pieces were added after framing, but
before planking, so Tim could pick up the necessary
bevels from the ribbands.
3 Freelance sawyer Martin Jones and his wife
travelled from Oswestry with their brand-new Bavaria
sawmill and got to work on site in the woods. This giant
can mill up to 14,000 board-feet in eight hours.
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