Posts from — July 2009

The Spaulding Boatworks spar loft has been busy for many weeks refinishing the spars from the beautiful 1938 Philip Rhodes 48′ yawl, Copperhead. The main mast received eighteen coats of varnish and the mizzen and boom each got fifteen coats. On Tuesday, those spars were returned to Copperhead.

Freda, our 1885 gaff sloop, began the next stage in her restoration today at the Spaulding Center. Framing has been completed and planking her hull has commenced.

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View from the bow

Apprentice Matt Pool lays out one of Freda's sheer planks

Matt Pool, in photo above, is an apprentice at the Arques School of Traditional Boatbuilding, located at the Spaulding Wooden Boat Center in Sausalito. Matt will become a journeyman when he graduates next month from the Arques School’s professional boatbuilding program.

The wood for Freda‘s new planks was donated by the Master Mariners Benevolent Association. Read more about Freda on our Web site at Freda.

Famous sailors, authors and world cruisers Lin and Larry Pardey dropped into the Spaulding Center today to touch base on the progress of Freda and to update the foundry patterns currently under the care of SWBC (see Pardey Foundry Patterns for Taleisin on our Web site). The Pardeys’ Lyle Hess cutter, Taleisin of Victoria (currently in Tonga), was hauled out at the Spaulding Center last year.

Arques School Director Robert Darr, Larry, Lin and SWBC Program Director Andrea Rey at the Spaulding Center

You can read more about the Pardeys at their Web site, Sailing with Lin and Larry Pardey.

Annual Spaulding Wooden Boat Center Volunteer Appreciation Party

Friday, July 31 2009, 10am – 4pm

Spaulding Wooden Boat Center volunteers are invited to our Annual Volunteer Sail BBQ & Picnic at Ayala Cove on Angel Island. Cruising over to Angel Island is a wonderful way to spend the day and a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet new people.

SWBC will provide food, drinks and boat transportation to and from Angel Island.

Our 1906 gaff sloop Polaris arriving at Angel Island for 2008 picnic

Please RSVP to Andrea at the Spaulding Center via e-mail or phone.

Students and volunteers in the Spaulding Wooden Boat Center Youth Boatbuilding and Sailing Program took their Norwegian pram Guppy for a sail through downtown Sausalito yesterday in the 4th of July parade. The young boatbuilders left hundreds of candies and bubbles in their wake.

Thanks to David MacLaird of MacLaird Construction for the use of his truck and for driving us in the parade.