rec.sport.rowing Google Group

Re: Thames Skiffs specifications

2010-01-04T10:53:21Z

Jake,
I think what you're proposing is very rare. As a sometime skiffer, I
am not aware of anyone racing in Thames skiffs that is not a member of
the fairly small cabal of skiffing clubs on the Thames. This is a
shame but is to be expected given the need to have standard matched
boats and the relative difficulty in transporting the boats around (in

Re: Wanted - old-style pin ?

2010-01-03T13:40:04Z

From what you've described it sounds very like one of the old
1978-1982 Carbocraft / Pre-Aylings composite fours from the late 70s /
early 80s - quite a flat bottomed shape with either a complex rounded
cox-seat or a very prominent splash board at the bows (and they are
very long for a coxed four). If so the rigging is probably either

Re: Wanted - old-style pin ?

2010-01-03T10:31:56Z

I think it's an Aylings shell - given its age it must be one of the earliest
composite boats.
It's not in great condition and I'm not sure if the riggers are the original
ones...

Re: Adventure begins: Restoring a wooden single.

2010-01-03T04:00:15Z

If you can find some epoxy stripper, it would be well worth a try
before discing or belting it. One of the few blessings of bad repair
jobs is that sometimes old glass work peels up easily. Great
project, good luck!

Re: Wanted - old-style pin ?

2010-01-03T03:56:01Z

what brand of shell is this?

Re: Hello from Xeno with info on my career rehab since the Olympics... :-)

2010-01-03T02:26:27Z

On Dec 27 2009, 3:53 pm, "Xeno Muller, [link]"
Bob is kind enough to tell me that my link goes nowhere! LINK IS
[link]

Wanted - old-style pin ?

2010-01-02T15:39:35Z

I'm looking for a replacement pin for an old 4+. It has riggers where the
pin screws directly into the outermost part of the rigger, rather than
fitting into a slot. I think it's 9/16" diameter, whereas all the ones I can
find are 13mm and mainly fit the slot-type riggers.
I've tried various boat makers and rowing parts suppliers in the UK and USA

Re: Adventure begins: Restoring a wooden single.

2010-01-02T10:24:11Z

Hi Richard,
Thanks for the update about Pom Plonk ;-) So how do you "smiley" a
tongue in cheek?
In response to John in Minnesota:
[link]
Cheers,
Walter

Re: Adventure begins: Restoring a wooden single.

2010-01-01T23:17:53Z

Walter - can't see from here, how firmly the Martindale tongue is into
cheek, but here goes .....
As I recall, "British Wine" - eg "British Sherry" - was truly
infamous; raw materials [eg cane sugar] imported, and subject to
British processing; seen on middle-class sideboards in my 1940s and
1950s childhood; probably took a knock when we joined the European

Re: Adventure begins: Restoring a wooden single.

2010-01-01T20:13:34Z

Thanks Carl.
I think a disk sander may be required to get the glass off. Yuk. The
wood in this think is really old and I'm not sure I want to cope with
the "check" repair of a single ply, un-reinforced boat. I'm hoping to
find some (I think it's half ounce) fabric and a two-pack varnish to
laminate it on with, once it's down to bare wood... Long way from

Re: Adventure begins: Restoring a wooden single.

2010-01-01T15:11:24Z

Happy New Year, to Walter & all!
A great project. Just say the word & I'll be packed and stuck in a
whole-body scanner in an airport somewhere. With the Pound Sterling
currently worth about tuppence in old money, I think you'll find my
rates are most reasonable :)
Joking apart, if you want to discuss specific aspects of your project at

Adventure begins: Restoring a wooden single.

2010-01-01T04:41:05Z

After reading Darryl J. Strickler's Rowable Classics: Wooden Single
Sculling Boats & Oars, Wooden Boat Books, Maine, 2008, I've been
snooping about to find a wood single to restore... Found one.
Now - it's a mess. Stored in the rafters of Avon RC (Christchurch NZ)
for 10 years, it was made available to me in exchange for some Montana

Re: Hints and tips please - applying hull tape

2009-12-30T07:44:39Z

Thank you both. Just what I needed.
Much appreciated
Rob

Re: Hints and tips please - applying hull tape

2009-12-30T00:13:33Z

RobP wrote:
My web page on the whole canvas-replacing process has a bit of advice.
Here [link]

Re: Hints and tips please - applying hull tape

2009-12-29T22:07:52Z

I have done this on many boats and the method I use is as follows:-
First apply the deck 'canvas' and get it evenly stuck down on double sided
tape. Trim the edges with Stanley knife or scissors. You can leave say 1/8"
to turn down if you like or you can trim flush with the edge of the gunwhale
because the double sided tape is holding the canvas stretched tight..