CRAFTSMANSHIP
“Kelpie is now as original and will be sailed as she should be”
FAIRLIE RESTORATIONS Kelpie back to original after extensive restoration
The 1903 Mylne-designed Kelpie has recently been relaunched after the completion of an extensive restoration, spread over the last three winters, reports Nigel Sharp. Her owner Pelham Olive
specifically asked Fairlie Restorations to carry out the work in stages to avoid missing summer racing opportunities. Originally built by Fays of Southampton as one of six of
FIGUREHEAD CARVER Head start for HMS Arethusa
Figurehead carver Andy Peters (CB 275) is at it again with two new commissions. The lady in need of surgery, right, is the figurehead from HMS Arethusa, 1849, the training ship used by Shaftesbury Homes from 1874 until she was broken up in 1932. Her figurehead has continued to
grace the society’s sailing base at Upnor on the Medway, but has inevitably deteriorated, and Andy has been called in to restore it. He found two wasps’
nests within the fabric of the wood, and while he hopes to retain the surface of the head, he will have to repace the interior, in ann operation expected to last, on and off, for a year. Andy has also won a commission to
provide the figurehead for a new replica of La Fayette’s frigate L’Hermione, currently in build at La Rochefort. Andy has begun lamination of the 10ft lion at his studio, and will be finishing the carving on site.
the Solent 38ft (waterline) class, she was converted to race as a 12-Metre after the introduction of the International Rule in 1907. Apart from essential structural repairs – replacement of much of the centreline, new ply sub-deck and new teak deck, for instance – the general theme of the work has been to make her as original as practical. The interior and the deck hatches are now
Kelpie: winches removed in her ‘back to original’ restoration
pretty much as they were when she was built, as is her sail plan. Over the years ballast was removed as she gained weight in other areas, but that process has now been reversed with an additional tonne of lead going back onto the keel. And her winches have been removed, prompting Fairlie director Paul Spooner to comment: “Kelpie is now as original and will be sailed as she should be”.
NIGEL SHARP
Right: Arethusa’s head case Left: caulking L’Hermione at La Rochefort
CLASSIC BOAT JULY 2011 85
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100