ROUND THE ISLAND IN SEA JAY
Clockwise from top left: Laying the deck, sealing
the seams, Sea Jay mid-restoration1in-thick plank form, but comes with all manner of grain
patterns. What we searched for was fine, straight-grained
planks that best matched the wood we were replacing.
We laminated up new deck beams, using the originals
as patterns and faced the deck with marine ply before
tackling the time-consuming job of laying down a teak
deck. Getting useful tips from Hamble yards where we
could, we used clamps and wedges rather than screws to
hold the strips in place.
We could lay no more than four 10ft planks a day, or
two during our evening shifts, and it took us six months to
complete the job, but 17 years on, the teak remains lovely
to look at and walk. Well worth the trouble.
Sea Jay was relaunched in 2001 and she has been turning
heads ever since. Among the many letters we received, was
one from the wife of the previous owner wishing us well but
asking for her husband’s lunch box back.
Over page for Barry’s Round the Island Race tips >
LOA
27ft 1in (8.26m)
LW L
21ft (6.4m)
BEAM
7ft 9in (2.41m)
DRAUGHT
4ft 3in (1.31m)
SAIL AREA
323q ft (30m^2 )
DESIGNER
Paul Rhodes MRINASEA JAY
DAVID HARDING/PPL PHOTO AGENCYDAVID HARDING/PPL PHOTO AGENCYBARRY PICKTHALL/PPL