“Menina” 1963 – 37′ Robb Cruising Sloop
“Menina”
VESSEL: 1963 – 37′ Robb Cruising Sloop
OWNER: Bernd & Heather Haertel, Ontario, Canada
PROJECT: Remove and replace 5 full ribs, scarfe repair 8 additional ribs and sister 9 partial ribs. Remove and replace 8 planks and scarfe repair another 29 planks as required. Remove and replace transom and framework, rudder, 1 floortimbre, engine beds, plywood sub-decks, 22 deck beams, covering boards, bulwarks, entire superstructure (cabin), cockpit, carlins, 1 bulkhead, washboards, grabrails and part of the aft interior. Scarfe repair the sheer clamp, 3 interior bulkheads and perform numerous misc. repairs throughout. Re-caulk the entire hull. Completely refinish the vessel’s entire exterior, partially refinish the interior, and hand paint the original name on the transom.
This lovely classic cruising sloop, then named “Heron”, was purchased by Mr. & Mrs. Haertel who realized she had some obvious (and some not so obvious) problems which required professional attention. Since “Heron” was to be transformed back into better than new condition, at the completion of the project it was the owners’ wish to change her current name back to her original name “Menina”.
At the new owner’s home, the vessel’s hull exterior is completely stripped to bare wood, revealing some obvious problems.
Although the transom paint has not yet been removed, there are obvious problems in the vessel’s stern.
The vessel is then transported to Woodwind Yachts on a hydraulic trailer. It takes 2 days for the snow and ice to melt off the decks!
The transom is removed revealing extensive deterioration of the framework.
More extensive deterioration of the framework.
The transom framework, aft decks and cockpit are removed unveiling further problems.
With the cockpit removed, we can now also see the extent of the deterioration in the aft superstructure.
The cabintop is removed which gives us access to repair and replace interior bulkheads as required.
Since the plywood sub-decks are to be replaced, the entire superstructure is then released, raised and secured to the roof – out of the way meanwhile.
This view shows the deterioration in the aft starboard side of the raised superstructure.
With the entire superstructure removed, the teak decks and plywood sub-decks are removed. Two of the port bulkheads have now been step-scarfe repaired.
The new transom framework begins taking shape.
This view shows the new aft floortimbre and some of the upper ribs which have been scarfe repaired.
New aft deck beams have been built, sealed and installed, along with some of the partial sister frames.
The garboard, broad and 2nd broad planks have been removed on both sides to gain access to problems lurking in the bilge.
This view shows the extent of deterioration in some of the lower rib ends which will be properly scarfe repaired.
Wooden wedges are epoxied into all fastener holes, then chiseled off smooth. The lower ribs are then properly sealed prior to installing the new planking.
The new starboard 2nd broad plank is being trial fitted to the vessel.
The garboard, broad plank and 2nd broad plank have now been installed on the starboard side, and the fastener holes have been plugged.
In a matter of seconds, one of the full ribs is removed from the steam box and is being installed by 2 men into the hull. (The second person is in the bilge.)
The rib is temporarily fastened into the boat with screws and fender washers. Later, it will be removed, sealed and permanently reinstalled.
This view shows the forward starboard sheer plank has been nicely scarfe repaired.
Some new deck beams have been installed, along with the carlins. The bulkheads have now also been repaired, but not yet cut to size at the top.
The new plywood sub-decks have been built, the undersides have been painted, and they have been installed. The new covering boards are now being built.
For the most part, the original teak decking was reused. It was all run through the planer once to clean it up and is shown here being installed into the new sealed plywood sub-decks with 3M 5200 adhesive.
This view shows the new aft sub-decks and covering boards.
The aft bullwarks are being laminated and the teak decking is beginning to be laid overtop the new aft plywood sub-decks.
The excess caulking has been sanded from the aft decks and the mahogany cockpit covering boards have been installed and plugged.
The original superstructure is released from the roof and set on benches on the shop floor. It will be completely replaced instead of repaired.
The teak decking has all been laid and sanded. New 20′ mahogany cabinsides have now also been built and installed.
Plastic sheeting is fastened to the vessel’s bulwarks and to the floor. Moisture is added to the enclosed hull for several weeks to swell the planking prior to final sanding and painting.
This photo shows all the cockpit framework has been properly sealed prior to installation.
The cockpit sole and framework has now been built and installed.
The hull topsides have been properly sealed and primed. Here – Arn and Steve (foreground) are busy caulking the hull with cotton.
All the cabintop beams have been built, sealed and installed. The 2 large windows have now been cut into the new cabinsides. (The 6 metre yacht “Merenneito” is in the foreground – to be featured at a later date).
The 1st layer of 3/8″ mahogany plywood is being trial fitted to the cabintop.
Small grooves are routered into the 1st layer of plywood to run hidden wiring to all the cabinlights. The 2nd layer of plywood will completely hide and seal all the wiring.
The new double layer plywood cabintop has been installed. 4 coats of epoxy along with 1 layer of cloth has been applied to the exterior for durability.
“Menina” is really taking shape now with all the portholes cut into the new cabinsides, the new bulwarks installed and the hull exterior painted.
This view shows the cockpit almost complete with the new aft curved coamings.
Painting and varnishing is now complete and the hardware has been installed on the new cabintop.
The new cockpit is complete and now the hardware is being installed.
The last coat of bronze antifouling paint has been applied as launch day approaches.
Her original name “Menina” is hand painted on the new varnished transom as a final touch.
“Menina” is finally back in the water again, looking great and sitting peacefully at her dock at the Port of Newcastle.
Sailing!