Name boards

When launched, Fair Maid had a pair of boards affixed to her transom, presumably with her name n them.  We decided to replace them.  The plan is carved lettering in jarrah, filled with gold foil, and varnished.

Having never done any carving this has been a serious challenge.

First, a practice board.

Not happy with the results from the router, so let’s try proper carving.

Time to try some jarrah.

Time for some proper tools.

Ship's Log

Allison Wheatley, a previous owner, kindly sent this to me last week.

Marvellous!

I had been told that Fair Maid had voyaged to New Zealand at some point.  Well, here's the evidence.

Auckland to "Great Barrier" - which I presume is the New Zealand island, rather than the Australian reef.

There isn't a great deal more in the log, sadly, but there are trips to Geraldton from Fremantle, and to the Abrolhos Islands.

Cyclone "Billy" is obviously Tropical Cyclone Billy-Lila:  http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/billy86.shtml

Update on work...

Deck needed work.  Sanded, epoxy coated with West System, sanded wet, cleaned, and painted with International Interdeck non-skid cream.

With epoxy:

First coat of deck paint, and two coats of Awlgrip Awlwood primer on the cabin sides:

Fair Maid when newly built

Recent work

Another haul out.

Work completed:

1.  New head fitted.
2.  Cabin side ports fitted.
3.  Antifoul and topsides paint.
4.  New scuppers added towards stern.
5.  Fuel tank cleaned out.
6.  Butt blocks added and seams re-caulked to fix leak.

Out she comes.

Hempels antifoul not working terribly well.  This has grown since September last year, so that's less than six months.

Routered out the rebates for the ports.

Butyl rubber at the ready.

Butyl wrapped around safety glass, and glass pressed into rebate.

 Four ports fitted.

Leaky seams towards the transom repaired by adding some butt blocks to reduce flexing.

And back in she goes.

A local cormorant on my neighbour's boat.

Launch of Fair Maid in 1951

Recently supplied by John Gaunt from his collection.

This is in Freshwater Bay, not far from where she was built.

Fair Maid in the 'fifties

From John Gaunt's collection of personal photos, kindly scanned for me.