Twin Keeled Sailboat

[Mike Pennington]

My sister in-law's husband called me the other day and asked me if I was interested in buying a boat for cheap. He found a flat bed trailer that he wanted with a sailboat on it. He said if I bought the package deal and gave him the trailer he could swing the deal. Fine by me if the boat was worth it, I figured I could salvage enough hardware to make the $200 spent well worth the deal 8)

After driving for an hour in four wheel drive down a one lane Alaskan trail :shock: I spoted a blue and white hull on a trailer. I about had a heart attack "TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS!" I tried to pretend that I wasn't interested and shook my head with a couple of fake growns.

I crawled under her, I climbed on top of her and even stuck my head through the hatch. I didn't know what the heck she was, I couldn't find any plates with any kind of name. I think she is about 22' to 24'. She is a double keeled sailboat, with a little hull damage up forward, the teak trim is shot and the interior was in rough shape. It looked like someone at one time had started to restore her, she was at least clean. Then I spoted the sails 8) My heart did another flip flop right there and then, talk about angina.

No dang camera, just a little bit of bad memory. I went on line and did a search. I'm not sure, but I think I found a twin keeled Hurley 22.

I got the call earlier this evening, I bought the boat for $200

Hopefully, in the morning I'll take possession. I have a shoveling crew lined up to dig her out and a couple of trucks for the tow, incase I get stuck. If I can figure out how to post a pic, again, I'll show you my new boat.

I believe the boat can be restored without all that much work. I certainly think I can repair the hull. The winches and the rigging are in good condition. I am a little worried about the framing in the bilges, because I saw about three inches of frozen water that had leaked in from the hatch over time.

I don't know what I have yet, but I am excited, more to come later. At the bottom of this link is a picture of a very similar looking boat.

http://www.twin-keeler.org/newsletter/twinkeeler4_2005.pdf

Mike

[Dave R1]

That could be fun. I don't know about performance but I've always thought those twin keels made some sense for folks living in tidal areas where the boat could set down on the bottom when needed.

At the rate you get stuff done, you'll have that boat restored before the sailing season is over.

[Mike Pennington]

Dave and Ray,

I found this link http://www.boatbuilding.com/article.php/advantagesoftwinkeels

and I'll certainly find out later to day just what I am dealing with as to design. I am also going to tow her out to my old homestead and see if I can't dry her out in the pole barn.

I feel like the kid on the Disney comercial, I keep waking up, a bit excited to sleep well.

[kydocfrog]

Odd place to find one, but Westerly, an English firm, has specialized for years in small twin keel designs. They are exceptional boats.

DocA

[Craig]

Mike there is a guy up the road with something that looks likt that; I seems to have larer cabin windows but the rest looks the same.Neat looking boat.

[Mike Pennington]

Today I dug my way from the road to the boat. Of course it is still snowing :roll: I used my handyman jack to break the wheels loose, she has been sitting on this trailer since 1991, I believe. By the depth the wheels were sunk in I believe in the same spot

She is in poor condition, dirty, the outer wood molding rotten. The hull looks good though, except for one patch up forward. No bulges in the keels, no cracks in the fiberglass that I can find. But for $200 I don't think I got ripped off :wink: The rigging, five sails, winches, stove, anchor and all sorts of odds and ends are still aboard. The trailer included, although it need work too.

Heavy! My little 1/2 ton just spun out. In the morning I'll hook up my four ton come-a-long and pull her forward a bit. Then try again.

I am still not sure what the heck she is, except maybe British. I will try and post a picture or at least a link to Frank's weekender site where I have a photo album. See last page of Mike's Vacationer.

Yes, I have my work cut out for me. But I am game and the eventual reward would be fantastic. I have friends that owe me big time and I have a way for them to work that little debt off :shock:

http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0UQDjAgAYab2w87TBZcLNjK8DYdMaqCQ29mTHJHsgCF9DVv2PcVtkHM8ZRsVwqLJs5ZDhjsf47tgVSn*3qAP1Onj6m6Ag3eXPDrU9my589iNvl3T4s!yaE3OqQKNtzjDY/P3190021.JPG?dc=4675564896172107880

[Guest Oyster]

Begin with a high powered pressure washer, if you can get anything other than frozen water in your area. Find you some TSP, which is normally sold at good hardware stores. Another outstanding product for your situation, or for anyone that has a Wal-Mart in their area, go to the all purpose cleaner section anf find some stuff that is in a spray container like windex comes in, but is in a white container. The label says right on front "All Purpose Cleaner" and under that is says with bleach in small letters. Its the Great Value brand which cost about 2 bucks I think. I have been using this product to clean most old and dated gelcoated hulls that have been sitting under oak and pine trees with green slime and brown spots on the aged gelcoat.

Short of finding that, get you some oxilic acid or teak cleaner and wet the hull down, and then scrub it with that. Be carefull with it in your eyes, though.

[kydocfrog]

Wow. Just got the photo.

Well, the coach roof kind of hollers Westerly, but all the Westerly designs in that range that I have seen have a kind of hard chine molded into the hull from the bow about a third of a way back along the hull. Very distinctive.

Looks like you got a deal there. And a challenge.

DocA

[Mike Pennington]

Good advice, Mike.

There is a trucker's car wash on the way to where I am taking her. Hopefully the self draining cockpit drains aren't clogged. I really would like to nock as much crud off as I can, before taking her to the pole barn.

It snowed a foot last night, so I get to dig her out again, after I get a permit to move her from the DMV.

I think I'll chain up too, before I move her out of her tire tracks with that four ton come-a-long.

And Yepper, Doc, the more I climb around her, the more I find that needs doing. I just hope the framing is in good condition under the bilge ice. So far I haven't found any exposed wood, so it may all be glassed over structure. I certainly hope so. I emailed the webmaster of the Twin Keeler Organization in England to see if he can help me ID her. And perhaps a hint where to look for an ID plate. I looked under the mast step and aft bulk head, no luck so far.

And bad luck or not, I am going to rename her. Phenoix II, has got to go. She has been squating here long enough to get an Alaskan name after her rebirth. A little later today, I'll take a tape measure to her, at least I'll know her length.

I plan to post my progress on the new web site I purchased from Frank this weekend. So you can all keep in touch with my trials and tribulations. Yes, as usual, I filled my plate. But I won't be bored this summer that's for sure.

[Mike Pennington]

Ray,

Frank, let me take a peek at your new website, most excellent. 8)

I'll ask my grandaughter if she'll help me out, but since we got her potty trained it has been tough to get her to go else where. Maybe the motor well will look promising? :wink:

[Mark Gudschinsky]

Mike good looking boat (and project.)

I don't thing she'll make it through the channel into Harding Lake for the next few years though. That must make the northern half of the state Wolf country.

[Mike Pennington]

Believe me, I am not ready to retire the Aurorawolf yet. And you can bet one weekend, at least, will be dedicated to Harding Lake this summer. Besides, I want to see what goodies alexander dredges up from the bottom. I might get another good deal. :wink:

The twin-keeler may be an Islander 23, built in Essex, England. Not the California version.

Tomorrow is the big day for the move, I have her all dug out and the trailer ready to roll. I got the bill of sale this evening.

Speaking of treasure, I found charts, four deep sea reels, a flare gun and a pile of fishing gear. Even an out board fuel tank, extension cords and that is only from half of the lockers.

And the hardware, my God, cool stuff. :shock: Real blocks! And bronze everywhere.

[Mike Pennington]

I got to be nuts, maybe crazy, or perhaps insane :shock:

Next time I say, I want to restore a boat, somebody please shoot me. You'll be doing me a favor.

Ten hours to travel fifteen miles, I wasn't even a mile from where I found the Islander 23, when I started having trouble. There has to be over a ton of ice in the cockpit and bilge. Poor ballance, the trailer was rocking all over the place, you would have thought we were out to sea. Heck, I was only doing 20-25mph.

Then disatster, the boat shifted to port and the keel was rubbing against the tire, smoke everywhere, and lucky I didn't have a blow out. It took hours to get her centered again. Lucky I had a generator and welder at home. I had to weld some plates to the frame to block up the keels, which I should have thought of in the first place. :oops:

I must say, it is nice to have friends. Folks a person can count on, my wife called them up for me, and I was surprised at the help that showed up. One friend even went out and plowed the driveway, fresh, where I was taking the boat. A special thanks to Herb, Steve, Rich,Lars, Doug and Ike.

But most of all my wife, Joan, what a super firstmate. Even though she had to go to work at ten tonight, she hung out till five, before she made the trip home. What a lady.

Heck even the State Troopers waved as they drove by, I thought for sure they would stop and get a piece of me :roll:

However, all is well now, and the Islander 23, Nathayla, is now at my old boat yard. Tomorrow the unthawing begins :wink:

Mike the duefuss

[Mike Pennington]

Believe me I am estatic, I started the unthawing the cockpit and bilges today, and ripping out the cabins wood work.

The hull is a monster, now I know why she has lasted this long

I'll step the mast after I get rid of all the ice.

A new trailer is on the books too, the only thing the one she came on is good for is to haul junk cars and a place to restore the Nathayla on.

I have been posting photos on my new website, the main page is not up yet, but the galleries and forums are working.

Mike

[JMetzner]

Mike, Mike, Mike. Why would you want to "unthaw" anything?!?!? I thought you wanted to GET RID of the ice?!?!? Isn't that what "unthawing" is?!?!? Sorry, couldn't resist.

John M.

Alaskan-in-Exile

[Mark Gudschinsky]

Mike

Are you saving the old interior woodwork for patterns? Or are you going to start from scratch?

[Mike Pennington]

:oops: maybe I should stop posting late at night :oops: Or take a fresh breath of air every once in awhile. Dang fumes from the space heaters. I only go in long enough to get rid of the water. To many folks have died by similar circumstances.

Yes, I am saving the wood for patterns. Mainly, the joinery has just fallen apart. Or some previous heavy handed owner got carried away. The wood is marine ply I believe. Very dark and multiple layered. Some of it I may still be able to use.

This is what the original interior looks like, picture from Tim's Ballerina in Scarborough, England.

The head is missing in mine, but with our new laws, I'll need one with a tank anyway. That or bring your own bucket WITH a lid. :wink:

There is a large water tank under the forward port bunk, I am hoping it is still good. The sink (Tim's boat doesn't have one in the cabnet shown) next to it is also in good shape as well as the single cabnet on the starboard side. The rest is in peices, I did salvage the small cooler, even the refreezable ice pack is still there.

Well, I have to go do a little looksy at www.aurorawolf.com before I drive out to the boat yard. And continue the big THAW :shock:

[Mark Gudschinsky]

Mike

Did you get her thawed out?

What did you find?

[Mike Pennington]

Mark,

Just call me Mr Gloating

The interior has just a little bit of water in the space beneath the cockpit every day. I am not sure whether there is a crack in the fiberglass or if the leak is in one of the hoses of the two through hull drains from the cockpit. The good news is the water does not lreak out of the hull :wink: This may mean no water will leak in.

I am making slow progress getting the cockpit to thaw out, I am letting the warm weather and the green house effect of the plastic tarp do the work. When I have the time, I have been angling one of my space heaters down on the giant ice block. The lazzerrets are another matter, one has a gas can frozen fast, the other a plastic pump. so I am definately waiting on the weather to thaw those.

No structerial damage that I can find, no exposed wood in the framing. The hull seems to be a couple of inches thick :shock: pretty solid.

One of the bunks and right where you step down into the cabin, has a little damage in the fiberglass inserts where the wooden deck plates fit in. I think I can repair this easy enough.

The large water tank is empty, but I haven't found the fill port yet. Partially because some of the old cabinetry is still in the way. I plan to use these pieces for paterns, so I am very reluctant to take them out of the boat, until after break up. I'll flush the tank when it stops freezing at night.

It has been very hard not to go out and drop a bunch of money on new axles and steel to build another trailer. I am trying to hold off, until I buy that house and boat shop.

The old one is trash, as far as I am concerned. Well I might use it to haul some wrecked cars to the junk yard. It seems I gain a few every year, kind of like rocks floating to the top of the lawn after each winter. One of the disadvantages of living at the end of civilization, the dang outlaws dumping their stolen or unwanted cars. The Troopers don't seem to be interested in hauling them off. Nor the owners.

Then to top things off, I got another dang job offer. I didn't even apply for it. :twisted: Don't these employers know I have boat projects going on?

Mike