The restoration of Lady J, the beginning...

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May 5, 2006
1,140
Knutson K-35 Yawl Bellingham
I took the train down and rode with the new owner to inspect a Kettenburg 40 rumored to be hull number one. We found her in a special shed/shop combo in the foothills of Oregon where she's been for the last 18 years under the stewardship of a gentleman by the name of Rudy Selvern. While I don't know her launch name, I do know she will be called the "Lady J" when I'm done with her.

I was amazed at how tight the seams were on this boat that had been out of the water for over 18 years. There's a bit of putty missing from a few spots but overall, she looks ready to go in right now.

Here are a few photos of the hull. For some reason, the flash on my wife's camera didn't wanna work so I'll have to wait for more pictures from the owner, who took many.



Here's one of the keel area....



and the rudder...



Does anybody know if the K-40 transoms are planked mahogany or ply?



Here's where Rudy opened her up for drainage because he yearly washed her down on the inside to get rid of dirt and critters.



The deck is still good non-skid over canvas over ply and seems solid with no evidence of leaks. The bilges still have a look to them as if they came out of the factory no longer than five years ago. I saw one rib butt that looked soft and nothing else yet. There are four ribs that cracked in the bilge that were sistered. The wood in the cracks looks fresh still with no graying or discoloration.

The mast was rebuilt by reefing the joins and reglueing with West Systems. Rudy, being an Engineer, was so precise as to level the current mast rack with a laser to keep it from hogging. I can follow behind somebody like that as far as completion of the work is concerned. I don't yet have interior photos but will post them up when I get some. Trust me, it's even cleaner than the exterior.

We hope to have her in the yard by the end of the month.



At least I don't have to consider cold molding her anymore, not with a hull like this.
 
Mar 13, 2009
158
irwin 37 (73-74) grand harbor marina
woo wee! what a find. good luck. well scratch that, your already a very lucky fellow. now to follow up with fidelity and dispatch. she'll be a fine ship. jimbob
 
May 5, 2006
1,140
Knutson K-35 Yawl Bellingham
The new owner got her in exchange for a long sail on the Sound for Rudy when she's done. Now comes the fun part....
 

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
I am sure that you will do her builders proud. I looked at your work on O-Joy and found no faults in that from here. I know that you will always say "I could have done that better". That is the nature of a craftsman.
 

BobM

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Jun 10, 2004
3,269
S2 9.2A Winthrop, MA
Charlie...not much work for you on this one from the looks of her! She's a beauty.
 

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
The devil is in the details! don't be deceived by the pictures there is plenty of work to be done .
 
Mar 13, 2009
158
irwin 37 (73-74) grand harbor marina
holy bo jesus! that's about the prettiest thing i've ever seen! where you gonna start? wash your hands and wipe your feet before you go near her. tell you what.." I'll contribute any mohogany, teak or oak i have in stock to her refit." just let me know!
saw some nice pics. on the Kettenburg website, well loved boats, indeed. jimbob
 
May 5, 2006
1,140
Knutson K-35 Yawl Bellingham
True, while I won't have to cold mold her like we thought we might, I will still probably have to reef out all of those seams, pay them, putty them and splash her to get the timber to take up prior to final fairing. That engine hasn't turned over in 18 years so there's a rebuild. Complete new wiring and standing rigging, except the mast. Some ribs to scarph in. Plenty of other things before recommissioning her...
 
May 5, 2006
1,140
Knutson K-35 Yawl Bellingham
holy bo jesus! that's about the prettiest thing i've ever seen! where you gonna start? wash your hands and wipe your feet before you go near her. tell you what.." I'll contribute any mohogany, teak or oak i have in stock to her refit." just let me know!
saw some nice pics. on the Kettenburg website, well loved boats, indeed. jimbob
I'm thrilled to be chosen, thanks to the referral from Robert Perry, to do the work on the "Lady J". Her pedigree as hull number one and the only K-40 fitted with a bowsprit, makes her a very worthy subject. I may take you up on that offer if needed. One of the things we're considering (if it fits in the budget) is the application of a teak and holly sole, sectioned properly to maintain access to the bilges.

I'll probably start on any ribs that need redone or repaired. Afterward, the hull. I may pull the engine before she goes into the shop.
 
Mar 13, 2009
158
irwin 37 (73-74) grand harbor marina
I couldn't afford the holly at colco. but he refered me to obeache. (sic) it's a very close tone and grain to holly. even looked at some hackberry. anyway, got a plank of the obeache on the rack, leftover from a sole section on a hunter i did. the teak was a shade darker, but otherwise matched the existing sole real good. will look back for some pics. know i took some. jimbob
 
Mar 13, 2009
158
irwin 37 (73-74) grand harbor marina
one of these day's someone is gonna tell me how to post pics. here.. ahem,hm.
just added two pics. of the hunter's sole in thereisabell's photo album. pg.2
has 2 coats of cetol. bilge acess panel. jimbob
 

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
It appears to have been fed paint and varnish while in storage for eighteen years. The interior is beautiful.
 
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