The Restoration of Kittiwake (part 1)

I'm not very good at woodwork so you will never see me attempt the kind of restoration of a wooden dinghy, any restoration of a wooden dinghy for that matter, that Paul Bailey describes below. But I do like to see wooden Gulls returned to their former glory and more importantly returned to the water. In Paul's first installment he tells us how he came across his Mark I, Kittiwake......

The story started last summer, actually it’s been in the back of my mind for 20 years since I left the Navy. However this summer finally stirred me into action.

 I’d been wanting to learn to sail for a while, living in the lakes I’ve done it all, climbing (rock and ice), walking, road and mountain biking, a little canoeing - but never sailing so it’s my last great challenge, well until something else comes along (actually it has but it involves sailing and Munroe’s so I’ll save that for another day) So after a holiday to the broads in August, Ellie (my 10 year old) and I had a few lessons at Nichol End on Derwent water.

 Well......... one September night I was looking on Apollo Duck, thinking about what I would buy if I had any money, but with no intention of buying anything just yet. When I saw an advert for a mk1 Gull, free to a good home, in need of some TLC. Well not knowing what a Gull was I started doing some research, found the Gull website, the forum and this blog. So liking what I saw I sent a message to Louise and Doug who had advertised on Apollo duck and also posted on the forum.

 Two days later I’d driven 200 miles and was the proud owner of a rather worn looking but sound 1960ish, sail number 557, Mk1 wooden gull; (any update on the date or previous owners would be good). Before I had even picked her up I’d decided on Kittiwake as a name (what else can you call a Gull?) Black Headed, Great Black Backed, Herring etc all just didn’t sound right.

 As you can see she has lost quite a lot of varnish due to being stored outside unused for 5 years. Louise and Doug who had owned her for a while had moved from the coast (Edinburgh, I think) to Selkirk right in the middle of the Borders and miles from any water so she’d sat for a good few years and the frost and sun had taken its toll. She needed to undergo a severe drying out programme. I am eternally grateful to Louise and Doug for giving her to us as it’s been a great winter having a new challenge. In the weeks to come I’ll tell you the story of her refurbishment and the major learning curve I’ve been on.

 Then if all goes well I’ll post the stories of her re-launch and if I can actually remember what I learnt last summer. Then maybe some stories of adventures in the highlands.

 The crew are Ellie, Max and Jack, Ellie is helping (until she gets bored, which is after 30 mins most days) Max and Jack just want to play which is not much help when I'm stripping varnish with a blow torch, they singe too easily!

Part 2 to follow.