How do you discribe the day that you purchace a vintage boat. I think by Donell's smile you can tell that this day will be remembered.

Congradulations !

Merva is presently at dockside but scheduled to be on the ways for the rest of the winter is this lovley classic. Most of this text below is from the Merva site. I recommend visiting it and finding out the rest of the details. We are very pleased to have a great boat like this to work on over the winter.
www.merva.homestead.com

MERVA is a 39' Classic Wooden Pilothouse Yacht, built in Victoria British Columbia, Canada in 1932 by Frank W. Morriss, a retired British Naval Engineer and Master Shipwright.

MERVA was constructed on the Gorge Waterway in Victoria of native Fir planking over Oak frames, with Burmese Teak used for the decks and deckhouses. Her interior is panelled in Mahogany and Teak, with many brass fittings. She still retains her original guages, running gear, light fixtures and SeaKing oil stove.

Her story has her hauled to the water's edge on a sledge by a team of horses for launching in 1932. As few changes to her authentic condition will be made as possible. She will retain all of her original fixtures and fittings, including original cut-glass globe light fixtures, taps and pump-handles, as well as hardware and cabinetry. Her upholstery and cushions will all be replaced using period-reproduction fabrics.
Modern upgrades will be made to all of her hidden components and equipment including new wiring, plumbing and hot-water heating which will be added.
Aditionally, she is being outfitted with a new 75 HP Volvo Penta Marine diesel engine supplied by Gartside Marine of Oak Bay BC, and fresh diesel fuel tanks.

Today Patrick pealed back the rest of the canvas off the decks. Below was cedar that has not seen the light for many years. This is the point where we usually see what kind of work is before us. So far no signs of serious decay. the paint on the deck was about as thick as the canvas. The mass filled two garbage cans. Next Patrick will remove the hardware and rails then we will smooth the decks and re-apply the new decks cover. We will likely recover in canvas as this suits the boat.
I spoke with Shendra Hanney the owner of Balandra today. Unfortunately she could not make it for the momentous haulout as she is snowed in and having to deal with frozen pipes. My hat goes off to her for being so self sufficient. Looking forward to seeing her in the New year when we can all look over Balandra and discuss the details of her return to original state.

Balandra up in the shop

Dec 16 2008

I'm starting this blog assuming the anyone who reads this is familiar with our operation. If not Check out www.agboats.com
I going to begin with last Friday where w built a cradle for Balandra a 21f. William Hand designed sailboat. Hauled Balandra on to the main ways on to the cradle platform. That's where she stayed over the weekend. The weather was wild, waves were huge and the dock were under allot of stress. We felt that getting Baladra out was a priority, rather than leaving her out for the weekend.
Monday. We finished of the cradle on Blandra. Then re-launched her with the cradle. When the tide went out Monday night Jean, Patrick and I built a track out of 2x 12 laminated together. Greased the timbers to reduce friction as it was going to be wood to wood surface.
Tuesday. High tide at noon and the Balandra was launched from the main ways and floated to the mew ways off to the side. Hauling out took several hour because we pulled her up by hand. At the end 4 guys and one girl were completely exhausted but deeply satisfied with this achievement. I will never curse the big electric winch that we rely on so much ever again.
Balandra has scaffolding around he now and is should be in the shop for the winter to have her decks re-canvased. New rails and a general restoration. Her owner is very passionate about her as her husband built her in the 1945 and has owned her that whole time. www.balandra.net is her website. A very interesting site.

Now that Balandra is in her place, we also hauled out Polar Star. A 40f fishboat that need some tightening up.
Merva is a lovely classic that I am spending most of my time on. This 1930s cruiser is getting a refit. New power-wire-paint and woodwork. There will be lots about her as we get more into it.