This is another worthwhile task and not expensive to achieve.
The original 1970’s Honnor Marine tube was mild steel galvanised, and very often the tubes were galvanised in longer lengths then cut to length, not a clever idea. The result is that the cut ends lost the galvanised coating and the process of oxidisation starts, i.e. rust marks would appear in the entry hole in the side wall. Compare this old galvanised tube with our new stainless steel one.
The pictures above illustrates the location where the traveller tube has to be inserted. To achieve this one has to use a timber brace to push the two Gunwale faces apart in order to get the second end in. Be sure to use protecting pads to prevent damage to the gel coal / paint finish. The process to get the old one out is the same as to fit the new one. In essence one has to use the brace to spring the 2 sides apart and so creating that additional length to slide the traveller rail into. With a little more pressure the tube will clear the surface and slide in, and finally yes, it’s in.
This for me is the final final touch that makes the job, the Iroko face cover plates which I have designed. They are not structural, but I have had so many old Luggers with badly damaged hole placements, and these small plates cover all of that.
This is Lugger Angie, rebuilt by Dragon Design April 2021, out for another day of swimming and leisurely sailing in the South Ionian Sea.
We are making great progress with Katerina, the graphics have been delivered and shortly the refitting of the Gunwale capping rails will commence.
A question was asked last week, why pre-fit all the joinery and woodwork only to take it all off again and at a later stage re fit. Well now you can see the reason why. All the holes are drilled and the new spray paintwork is completed, so it’s just a matter of a very clean and easy assembly process, no damage and it’s quick.