Akita Restoration

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Restoration of No. 85 Akita

Eugene Burke and Martin Landers are restoring Akita No 85 in Dungarvan, Co Waterford. Joe Boylan of Skerries built Akita in 1953 and her planks are hemlock (or tsuga). Martin acquired Akita in Rush, and sailed her last season with some intermediate repairs. Eugene and Martin will sail her together later this season.

Eugene, whilst not a professional boat builder, is a carpenter/joiner of some skill, specialising in old sliding ash repair and renovation. Eugene had worked briefly on another Mermaid in Dungarvan, about 25 years ago. She was owned by the late Colum Moloney, Tournore House, Abbeyside ,but that particular boat was let deteriorate. She may have then been broken up. Editor’s note: if you know anything of this boat please email web@dublinbaymermaid.org.

Akita had previously been left trailered & partially uncovered for a number of years with resultant damage to the aft keel & planking either side also deep staining of the forward deck. There is large cracking on some of the planking due, in some cause, by heart shakes expanding & others by groups of planks moving in unison. She had also suffered rot from water lodging in her aft area due to leak in cover, the garboard planks were badly affected as well as the last 4 feet of the hog. There were cracked planks and various leaks plus a lot of rot at the centreboard box ope. Eugene transported Akita to his workshop in late March 2010. See photo 1.

Eugene first used Nitromors to great effect in removing the varnish & anti foul. However some epoxy putty had been used which required more aggressive tactics, i.e. a sanding disc on an angle grinder! As an experienced restoration joiner, he brings some of those skills to the Akita job. One is using Nitromors with cling film, just apply 2 coats of nitromors and then cover with cling film and leave for 30 mins. As the cling film keeps the nitro damp it works better & deeper, then using a standard three corner scraper remove the nitromors + a good deal of paint. See photo 2.

The rotten hog was then removed plus additional cracked plank. At this stage Eugene discovered that the original copper bolt that was riveted to the keel. The knee at the transom was seriously compromised. It had corroded along one quarter of its length and even showed the forging stress lines. He ordered a 1 metre length of 316 s/steel threaded bar (stud) from INOX.IE (€6.40) plus 25mm washers & nuts & other bits ,all delivered by courier for €10—great value & service. Contact Ben Hutchinson. See photo 3.

There were some hollows in the aft quarters planking. Eugene is not sure of the cause and would like some advice. Please email him web@dublinbaymermaid.org and I will post the advice on to Eugene (an publish it here if it is useful to others restoring Mermaids). He intends making a well of towels and pouring boiling water to soften them and then gradually force a ready made jig into planking to re instate the true shape, but he is open to suggestions. See photo 4.

The garboard planks were removed ,exposing damage to hog. Bottom left of pic you can see the rotten garboard plank. See photo 5.

View of forward section awaiting planking, note removal of varnish and antifouling. Eugene insists that while she is in his care, Akita will not see another drop of varnish on her hull. He is using Deks Olje D1 & D2. He plans to prepare one side and finish and then will know how much the other half will take. It’s not cheap, but Eugene believes that it’s better value by far compared with varnish. Eugene says that he has always had problems with varnish in joinery, e.g. a square edge doesn't work as you cant get a continuous layer on the sharp edge. Also on Iroko & even Sepele, even with copious washing of cellulose or acetone, it still doesn't penetrate enough to hold. This result in flaking and bubbles that hold moisture. Worst of all it means a total sand down every second year to remove what's left of what you so carefully, and expensively, put on. A familiar story for any Mermaid owner! Eugene will take note of volumes and post results here on www.dublinbaymermaid.org. If you buy Deks Olje in quantity you can find some good savings. Eugene recommends talking to Brendan Igoe of Igoe International (see Links page). See photo 6.

Another view, looking aft, with a light placed underneath the boat. Note the little red & black machine on the right of the pic, it's a FEIN MULTIMASTER (see the Links page). He used it to cut the copper nails without doing ANY damage to the planks as it flush cuts in between the planks for those of the more ocean going set , it also has an attachment that takes out Oakum caulking, it comes with a multitude of attachments -they’re not gimmicks. Eugene uses this tool professionally and in 2 years it hasn't let him down! See photo 8.

This is the hog scarph cut done with the multimaster,note the deal guide angle shim. See photo 9.

Sometimes you have to use what’s available. Eugene had to hold a plank repair while the epoxy set and there was no way a cramp coult be used. He therefore enlisted two long lengths of cedar planking (nice and bendy) to do the job—don’t touch it Martin! See photos 19 & 20.

Picture of gift horse, never look one in the mouth! Martin and Eugene had been looking for copper nails to no avail, when a friend of Eugene’s, when sailing in a local small harbour spotted a broken up ex ships lifeboat full of copper nails. On enquiring they were told that we would be doing the place a favour in removing same as it had been abandoned for years. The nails were perfect and the planking & ribs were in great condition too. Eugene discovered that she was one of four ships lifeboats and was minimum 90 years old. Her copper nails are now living a new life in Akita. See photo 22.

Editor’s note—thanks to Eugene for such a comprehensive account and photos. Why don’t you send your story to web@dublinbaymermaid.org.