It would be really cool if you engraved the bell with "Victoria" and the date she was launched, and then right under that etch "Arabella" and the date she is launched.
although I just started watching this series last night, I became addicted in my first video. In this video I can hear the passion in your voice which carries an emotion that is hard to describe. the best way I can describe it is heartfelt. What an amazing journey
I just came upon your channel and I am tickled to see your progress. Out of high school I traveled the world on the GI vacation ( been around twice, in both directions). I worked as a Gov. contractor in D.C. until about 1990 when frustration launched me into a U.S.A tour in a Volkswagon Vanagon With a Wesrtfalia camp topper. My buddy and I made it all the way to Alaska and back ( his home town in Illinois and mine in Kentucky where I currently reside). That was a five year adventure that neither of us will ever forget. My family thought of me as a wander lust fool, but loved seeing the pictures, the post cards, the canisters of dirt or sand and my mother cried when I brought her an old wine bottle filled with glacier water. I used to be the eccentric and now my nieces and nephews are traveling the world. I have a cousin that is twenty years my junior ( I am the oldest of the oldest of the oldest.....) who ha,s to date, almost double my stamps in his Pass port. I still venture out, but not as much. In todays "Environment" it gladdens me to see adventurers taking on the challenges. So many now are unwilling to take risks and can not handle failures. When you fail or fumble... Learn from it and keep going! On a practical note... I would have bought Victoria for the bright work and the anchor wench as well. You made a sound investment and the Mahogany alone is worth a fortune. The Perkins should be tore down to the block. if need be the cylinders can be sleeved. With the head and valve reworked she should last your life times. It would be ashamed if all of Victoria's fittings and fixtures were not incorporated in Arabella. Victoria looked to be a proud ship, as yours will be, that was well found. A ships bell is said to be her voice and carries her soul. If Victoria's bell carries no marks Arabella honor her in memory on her New bell. I have a ton of practical experience and some engineering advice/opinions (mechanically and electrically speaking). This episode brought tears for the passing of a good girl and joy at the founding of another!
Thanks for the awesome comment! Sounds like you have had quite the life, congrats. Also awesome to hear that you inspired your family members to travel! More people should get out and see the world, there is a lot to see and experience! All the bronze including the bell with get transferred to Arabella, Victoria will certainly live on =)
I admire your intention to restore/reuse as much of Victoria as you can. Building the dingy with material form Victoria is genius. I have enjoyed your journey and look forward to your next step.
It's a tribute, as i see it. And in old mariner terms, good luck. If an old boat lends her bones to a new one, it's a sign of good things, means she was strong enough to pass on to the new generation.
I think that bronze plate with the handles is a grill as well. I just love that ole windlass She's amazing! I don't blame you one bit not wanting to part with any of that bronze until everything is fitted together and she's all ready for Sail. That Binnacle is another huge gem as well. The great thing! aboot the bronze hardware is that it will last forever and it looks so beautiful in my estimation. O man to be able to use all that interior will speed things up like bigtime to get her fitted out and ready for the launch. Incredible that was very smart of you to purchase Victoria to have all that treasure to help fit out Arabella I love it, and how can any one not agree with that.
What an amazing find, what an amazing treasure! I actually got a bit emotional watching this. Victoria is like an elegant old lady who has reached the end of her life but will live on in Arabella through her donations.
Back to the Bronze Age - love it! Victoria was quite the find and it's going to be fantastic to see embark on new voyages with Arabella. Well done guys!
First, love your idea of keeping Victoria alive in the dinghy. I really hope ur able to pull that off. & when she’s complete, say a little prayer to transfer her ‘spirit’. Second, thank you for putting the screws, etc... out there for others. To someone with no experience I’m sure that seems frivolous, but to the right person it will mean everything!
Thanks! Having Victoria and all her treasures is fantastic inspiration for us and as others have mentioned she sets the bar high in terms of craftsmanship!
I know this is an older video but I am going back and watching through your "All Videos" playlist. What a windfall Victoria was for you guys. I am not sure how much you paid for her but with your comment at the start that you would have bought her for the anchor windlass alone, I'm guessing you two are ecstatic over all the other stuff that you are going to be able to upcycle and repurpose. I have no interest in ship building but I love your videos just because of the sheer scope of the project and watching all the small tasks come together is going to be awesome. You fellas are an inspiration to tinkerer's everywhere and the poster boy's for dedication, keep up the good work!
Thanks! We paid $1,200 to truck her here and $1,200 to purchase her. She was a gift, the money to buy her was just to prove we were serious and Bruce had to get something for her. We are indeed over the moon and will do our best to do well by Victoria as we incorporate her into Arabella.
Just to say I, too, had a Perkins 4/108 in a boat back in the day. Great motor. All the best with your project. I will be following your journey with keen interest.👍
Really enjoyed seeing this up close and personal video of Victoria. Thanks for sending me the link. I see why you are excited to use her hardware and wood for Arabella, and its a perfect recycling project. The consolidation of new timbers and old hardware and mahogany really keeps Victoria alive in a sense, and produces a brand new DNA . Can't wait to see what you guys end up doing down below in Arabella with all that buffed-up bronze. :)
What a huge find! The only downside is, the quality and detail of Victoria"s appointments sets the standard and scope of the project. Shortcuts will be glaring by comparison. I just hope I'm young enough to see it finished. :)
I think they'll do fine. And i don't see it as a downer that it's to a standard, it's more like a goal, and they certainly seem to be the kind of people that are goal driven. As for time, in the video where they visit Total Boat, he certainly explains the age thing, so yeah. I'm patient. Just like i was patient with Doug's steel Junk boat, and she's mighty close.
Victoria does not really raise the bar for us, another push to reach it sure but the plan from the beginning was to build something that could become history. As John Ruskin said "When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for it; and let us think that a time is to come when those heirlooms will be held sacred because our hands have touched them, and that men will say, as they look upon the labor and wrought substance of them. See! This our father did for us." This is how we feel about the band saw, Victoria, Steve's heirloom hand tools and Arabella. We are thankful those men made such a bad-ass enduring machine and Victoria sailed for almost 100 years with no major maintenance, had she received it she could go another 100, her hardware can and will. But it takes time and costs money. It's not how things are done these days. In the short term there are cheaper easier ways, in the long run no other way makes sense. We're in it for the long haul and right now it may seem like a lot of bluster but give us some time, we are still laying the foundation as far as we are concerned.
The fact that you are going to re utilize so much of Victoria is what I really love about this project! Truly looking forward to following your progress, and thank you for sharing it with all of us.
Tiller arm. UK canal boats are steered from standing in the rear hatch. The tiller arm is curved to make it the right height for the steersman to use. If this arm was fixed it would make it difficult to get out of the door, so the arm enters the tiller at an angle. When moored up the arm is turned over so that it curves up not down. This serves the duel purpose that it stops you banging your head but a boat with its tiller reversed indicates that it is moored up, not just waiting to go through a lock.
I think my mouth was watering during the tour of all the treasures on Victoria - what great inspiration and motivation going forward with Arabella - good luck guys!
Just a thought on that Perkins engine - it looks like a 4.107 or 4.108 - you would struggle to do better. I have been using these engines for nearly 40 years with next to no trouble. Parts are readily available everywhere. They are economical, easy to work on and will sound right for Arabella.
It's a 1987 4.108m and that is what we have heard. She fired right up after almost a year of being idle. No small feat for any motor never mind a 30 year old motor!
I used a 4.108m in Temptress for 25 years and 20,000 ocean miles. I just upgraded to a Yanmar as the 4.108 was always too small for Temptress. I have loads of spares, injector pump, starters everything. If you are interested PM me. Advice: I like the 4.108 but make sure you know how to bleed it. It's a pain to bleed but if you add an electric fuel pump (I use mine to transfer fuel between tanks) it will bleed much easier. Just know how to do it before you take an air bubble in on a stormy day when you need then engine.
Right on, It's going to be a while before we dive into the motor and determine if it's worth restoring and using but if it is we would certainly be interested in picking your brain and seeing what you have for pats kicking around. Thanks!
Awesome haul....Not a bad idea to take pictures and measurements of the pockets in the wood for the various fixtures and latches as you remove them. Position and angle of catch plates etc. Make basic cardboard templates/notes to keep with the parts. Basic hinges, forget about it, but that locking door knob latch could be fun getting lined up perfect in a new door without some guidance. Get a bunch of zip lock bags and keep the screws and stuff with each part. Some of that bronze may have been added later. The fish towel holder may be an addition. There appears to be a putty filled screw hole above it on the wall where it was moved or where something else was mounted originally. Many times back then screws were house made which means the screws from the soap dish may be slightly different looking from the ones in the door hinges etc.
We have started to bag and catalog things and intend to keep doing so. The video footage is a huge asset! The pattern making is a good idea and one we had not thought of. Thanks! The hope is to keep Victoria as whole as possible for as long as possible so we can measure and transfer as we go. She has safely held everything in order for a long time, don't see a need to change that sooner than required.
Sad to see a proud vessel that will never kiss the waves again. I love that you're going to use as much of Victoria as you can, especially making a skiff from reclaimed timbers and having her nameplate on it. Her spirit will once more lift to the sky.
Awesome idea for the dingy guys. It's sad to see Victoria in such bad shape but spectacular to know that she gets to live on. Keep up the great work guys
I mentioned on another what a great find this boat is. By incorporating so much of the Victoria into the Arabella perhaps you should rename to Virabella.....lol. Thanks so much for the video.
brothers; I wish you all the best with your research and safety of Arabella's longevity. I am loving the quality of your workmanship in carpentry skills.
I see a lot of brightwork that needs cleaning and polishing. Mate, get me a case of Brasso and some cotton cloths. I still think you came upon a great find for the donor boat that it will add lots of history to Arabella. How lucky can you be.
I really do enjoy the small details that someone in the past engineered into the simplest parts of the boat. You can tell someone really considered convenience and utility when making them. I am not familiar with boats, but this seems like a very unique one and it's awesome to see guys wanting to make their own unique boat and reusing the quirky bits from an old one.
She is a amazing vessel! The details are incredible and we are learning a lot from them! We are truly fortunate to have her and utilize her, we are going to do our best to do her justice, she deserves it!
I'm sure you'll do a better job than most. Keep it up, I am really enjoying seeing your progress. I work in one of the largest shipyards in the world, and it is fascinating to see how you accomplish similar things without the vast resources I am used to. I am generally the one writing the procedures for the workers carrying them out, but as a vastly smaller operation you guys do all the thinking as well as the hands-on work. It is an entirely different situation, and very impressive to me.
I just love that fact that the history and everything that is Victoria won't be lost but will become life for another vessel. She gets to sail once again. It seems today in America we love to get rid of the old, our history a real life map/vision of or past and just buy new. What you guys are doing is amazing and I enjoy watching every step Keep up the great work and Thank you for documenting your journey so we can enjoy it as well.
Thanks! We recently heard from one of the former care takers of Victoria! We are hoping to be able to meet up with him and hear all his tales about her. Apparently a doctor had her built and he make multiple trips to South America to source all the mahogany! We are over the moon to be able to learn her history. So glad you are enjoying following our journey!
I have been working for a year on the fort of Oranjestad in STATIA (the island on the watercolor!) I have a friend who builds his boat also in France. While waiting to see him again, your videos make me dream! Bisous
I've harvested hardware from a number of older boats. It always takes a while because it makes me stop and think about the hands that were on those parts, the things the former owner and his crew said and thought, and the fun and excitement this old boat provided when she was still alive. Great video tour. Thank you.
We feel the same way. For example- how many hours have been spent staring at the binnacle keeping a course. We really wish she could tell us her tales, we are sure there are some good ones!
So much usable bronze. Maybe even enough to more than cover what you spent on Victoria. That will be awesome to be able to reuse so much mahogany and bronze fitment form the old girl. I don't know if it is possible to be more excited than you guys are, but I'd bet I'm close. I'm definitely jealous. Thatnks so much for brings us viewers along forbthe journey. Maybe I'll even get the chance to come see her in person one day. #BucketList
You are welcome anytime! Stoked to have ya'll following along, the project would be a lot harder and less fun without you! The videos are a ton of work but so far have been worth it, the connections we have made and are making are priceless. We know for sure we have also helped push a few others to take the plunge on builds of their own and that is the best thing of all! We want everyone who follows to feel a shot of inspiration to go chase their dreams!
I wanna polish the bronze! Get her dun fellas, we all can’t wait! Thanks for the journey but man your making us impatient. Nice work, we can’t wait for more.
It's going to be a while so best find some patience =) We are going to spend the winter harvesting some more lumber, making a new keel mold and making as much $$ as possible. We are hoping in the spring to have enough squirreled away for both of us to work full time on the project for at least the summer. Things will pick up dramatically in the spring! It's a really really long marathon so we have to pace ourselves =)
Incredible hardware on Victoria ! Such a shame, but what a beauty ! 500 dollars ?? Wow ! One fitting would cost that today ! I was thinking she'd make a great little home as she is ! Man, great find guys.matt
Stunning work, really beautiful craftsmanship guys. A trick to bring up all that metalwork is to blow it with baking soda. Many air kits on eBay etc and it really makes a tedious job very quick and easy. Arabella is going to be a real gem, can't wait!
Just in the reclaimed mahogany she more than paid for herself. Add the bronze work, sextant, and other odds and ends and that was a major score. Just in resale value. All the time that will save you guys? WOW! You guys took home the find of the century!
We agree! We never would have found her without the Wooden Boat Forum, those gents gave us the heads up. The former owner knew what he had and gave her to us. We truly paid a token amount, we actually paid 1/2 of what we originally offered! He lowered the price, he didn't care about the money, he cared about his boat and where she would end up. We were the best of a lot of bad options for her.
Not surprised. Like with the bandsaw, finding someone who has a true need for her, even if it was just parts of her, and would take the effort to do it right, probably softened the deal in his mind. Especially knowing the alternative.
Exactly, We were truly the best of a lot of bad options for her. It was not a happy day for him but I think with seeing our shit eating grins and our project he could stomach it. I think he might have scuttled her before he saw her parted out in all directions for a profit.
Yeah, you could pretty much just throw that whole interior straight into your boat. Without cozying up to a Laotian warlord, there's no way you could legally secure this much solid mahogany without spending a small fortune.
You have done a great job explaine the boat and showing with the video cam the details of what cool thing you got when you purchased the boat. we can also see how much you appreciate unique thing. It was nice to catch your video. Thank
Wow what a beautiful yacht the ''Victoria" was, what a pity she cant be saved but she will live on as the dingy Victoria which i think is very fitting and what a treasure trove of bronze fittings she bestowed upon you guys ,congratulations on a fantastic channel keep up the good work guys cheers Andy
Thanks! We will do our best to keep chugging along and cranking out the videos. Glad you are enjoying them! Victoria is quite the treasure and we will do our best to do her justice!
This guy, this project is absolutely amazing. To see someone so young take an interest, and initiative to restore this old boat is awe inspiring. I ould love to make the 2hour 28 minute drive up to go see the project and even lend a hand if i could. Cant wait to see thr end of this project / labor of love
One of the most enjoyable videos I’ve ever watched. Part treasure hunt, part detective story, part mystery with a good dose of romance thrown in.The good kind. I know there will be moments in the future , when you are alone in the bowels of Victoria’s hull , that you will see and feel the hands and spirits of the individuals who preceded you . Doesn’t translate well to the written word but it is as real as anything else you will find. Keep up the good work.
Thanks! So glad you enjoyed it! That has already happened in spades, I feel the same way using many of my tools. My sharpening stones belonged to my Great Great Grandpa for example. I think they would be tickled pink to know their heir was using their stones and tools to build a vessel from trees from the same property that they lived on and used. The history in Arabella is outrageous!
Great tour of Victoria! It will be exciting to move many of the items to Arabella... to last for another 100 years or so. Wishing you all the best on your boat building journey. Thank you for sharing.
No need to apologize for the "non-boat working video" That was a fun little tour. Its awesome to see some of you younger guys who can genuinely appreciate some of the old world style! Every thing today is so fancy and high Tech.......I guess i am just a sucker for the nostalgic.
That's how we roll, like hooking a 100 year old band saw up to a modern day VFD. The old and the new can work quite well together given half a chance =)
Gift of the year =) We did pay for her but it was a token amount, kinda like buy the binnacle and windlass and get the rest for free. We are blown away the bronze stayed together this long and was not "upgraded" or sold off to make a quick buck. Victoria really is like a time capsule.
Victoria makes me very sad. She must have been glorious to have such appointments. Her owners clearly at the end were never caretakers. I'm a sailor, though not the kind you might imagine; my boat flew beneath the sea. But she and Victoria had one thing in common, caring hands that built and sailed her, thoughtful men who polished and groomed her and proud men who skipped her youthful body across the waves. The "John C." is gone now, retired with honor. When Victoria is finally gone, do the same for her. I am following with great interest your adventure as Arabella comes into being. Your creation of the keel manually is inspired and inspiring. I think the keel is the soul of a ship, the steadying influence keeping her upright and 'grounded', if such a thing is possible in the sea. Some meanings given Arabella are 'entreatable' and 'loveable' which I take it to mean that you will find her easy to love but you must remember to ask for her obedience, not force it. That's good advice for a sailor. I respect your hard work and dedication to what is obviously a labor of love. I admire your knowledge and expert craft--they say an artist must master his craft before he can create a work of art. You appear well on your way. I am not a religious man but, nonetheless, Godspeed.
Thanks! We have to give credit where credit is due. Folks on the Wooden Boat Forum kept suggesting that we find a salvage vessel but we were too busy with everything else to try to hunt one up and it seemed like a lot of work for a few used parts. Then one of the members alerted us to Victoria and a few others chimed in and urged we go check her out. So we did and we were flabbergasted! When we got her back and inventoried the folks on the forum were just as blown away. They found us one hell of a treasure trove!!! It was their suggestion and leg work finding her, without them we would not have found her and she probably would have been parted out and her bronze scattered forever. Both us and Victoria are lucky to have found each other!
Great find!. That Perkins (looks like a 4-108 to me), the transmission and the Max-Prop alone are worth many times more than what you paid. One quick correction or the windlass: that hand wheel in on the front of it does not adjust the speed as you described, it is a clutch. Turn it one way and the clutch is engaged and the crank turns the gypsies. Turned the other way and the gypsies freewheel (useful for dropping the anchor).
Damn good eye! 1987 4.108m to be exact Thanks for the correction! It's great to be learning about the stuff we own =) We know enough to know we know practically nothing and comments like yours help us immensely.
I think someone else pointed this out, but the handspikes (maybe bronze, but likely steel rods) for the windlass should be stowed aboard somewhere. They look a lot like the stanchions you had in that bucket (you called them lifeline "uprights"). Just make sure you don't accidentally melt them down!
With the purchase of Victoria, you guys, have just save a HUGE amount of money for Arabella. That Perkins Diesel should be seriously considered for your powering requirements. All of the bronze fittings and accoutrements are like hitting the lottery. Just started following you guys and am glad I found you. Excellent work!!
We plan on giving the Perkins a complete overhaul and installing it in Arabella. The bronze is amazing, coupled with all the bronze we got from the Pearson we have quite the collection! Glad you are enjoying following our journey!
Amazing. I'd be tempted to keep Victoria as a land-based "boat", to maintain the cool interior as a place to camp out, or even live. You'd just have to restore the bottom structure I suppose. Of course, that's not a viable solution for the long run. You did the right thing by bringing her back to life in a new boat and tender, but I'd find it hard to make that transformation.
The craftsmanship in all the cabinetry, bronzework are beautiful , imagine the shine and color of the inside of the saloon , table laid out with charts , is the table on a gimble i have to ask , all the mahogany below decks is so highly polished too , the crew member hired to keep all that bronze , glass and wood so highly polished certainly had their hands full , its such a shame to see all the decay in the Hull itself , or she would have been totally repairable , done with care the re_use of all the remaining parts will keep her good name for the future sailing in the new dinghy Victoria ,i wish you all the luck foe the future .
Thanks! She is a very special boat and was well loved and cared for at one point. One of her former care takers (Rick) recently found us and we are slowly learning about her travels and how she came to exist in the first place. A doctor had her built and he made numerous trips to South America to procure the mahogany, her mast came from Oregon, no expense was spared in her construction! It is a real shame to see her in this condition but we won't waste a thing and everything that is solid will continue together. Rick spent 15 years with Victoria cruising all over and although he is sad to have learned her fate he said he is very happy she will continue on in Arabella and once again seek that distant shore. It is so relieving to be taking her apart with his blessing!
Thank You for your kind reply so soon , Just a thought , the skipper of Victoria not the owner would have kept a very detailed log of all her activities and destinations , ports of call etc , they may be available through the US National vessel Documentation Center This document weighty as it might be it is a legal requirement by the Government to produce when asked , im not suggesting any untoward happened in her history at all but it may be a huge help in figuring her history out Heres a link to a PDF that may direct you in the right direction because they will have copies (hopefully) of the Logs of Victoria , i wish you luck NVDC_46_CFR_Part_67_TecAmdt_FR_170920.pdf
Graham, I don't know of a way of contacting you off-line so I'll suggest to you here that if you'd like to lighten their load you might do that research for them. You seem to have the knowledge to gather some information that they might enjoy and use in some way. Again, just a suggestion.
That is so amazing you guys!!!!! It’s like finding a hardware store and getting it delivered to your place. I feel ya on how many things you can use from Victoria on Arabella. Amazing find.
Once again an amazing video. I don't know what a windlass is or why you have to find the handle thingy lol I am all automotive and truck I have never been on a sailing vessel but I might have to add that to my bucket list. I would ask how much for a ride on Arabella when she is finished but I don't think I will live to see her in the water. That is not a slight to you at all, I already know that to do things right (like you gentlemen are doing) everything takes time. Time that you have and should spend doing what you are doing but unfortunately it is time I don't think I have left. I might pop in and haunt your beautiful lady for a minute or ten though, if the bell rings in dead calm water and no wind it's just me saying hello and thank you.
Hay guy's, i am really injoying watching all your films. I would love to clean the bronz from arbella. I am from egypt. It was a nice surprise to see Ahmef from egypt. I would like very much to help you. But i will tell you when i am ready. Well done for all what you are doing.
That Mahogany is like gold. Central American Mahogany is growing more and more scarce, and expensive as all hell, and that's where the good stuff is from. You're going to save a lot of money salvaging the wood and hardware from the Victoria.
I put a 4108 in a 40 ft schooner many years ago. They are bulletproof engines and parts are readily available. It is most likely a refit as those boats were originally fit with gasoline motors such as the greymarine and older series. You really can't lose with that Perkins motor. It will push your boat in a current when most boats are anchored waiting for the tide to turn. I don't know how big Arabella is going to be though.
The motor is a 4.108m made in 1987 so for sure a re-fit. We have heard mostly rave reviews about them and hope it's in good enough condition to be re-used. Time will tell but if it makes it into Arabella it will be after a complete and total overhaul. Arabella will be 38' on deck and displace 25,000 pounds empty. Plans call for a 40hp so the Perkins should have plenty of oomph.
I might add that you might consider going to a more modern rig, if you are planning to sail the world short handed. The gaff rig is is a more complicated rig than Marconi, it is a much heavier rig and can foul when you are trying to get it down when conditions are turning bad on you. If its a nod to a look, I get it, but think long and hard about that rig choice. Having had a gaff rigged schooner with a Marconi main, I can tell you that I have run into just such situations and have been caught fighting the gaff at a most inoportune time.
We have until we start framing the deck to decide and nothing is set in stone. To our understanding both rigs have their pros and cons. We also have met some folks who really know their stuff who have offered to help us sort it out once the time comes. Either way we will re-evaluate the rig since a lot has changed since 1934 and we won't be using cotton sails like the plans call for =)
One of the mistakes people make and manufacturers make in the smaller boats (up to around 40 ft or smaller) is that the engine space is usually under the cockpit and impeding into the cabin. But to save space for living, its common to skimp on that engine space. Big mistake! When you have to work on those engines and you will, oil changes etc, its next to impossible. If I was to build a boat these days, ease of axis to my engine would be a priority.
If the engine is a Perkins 4.107/8 the cylinder liners corrode very quickly if any salt water gets past the ‘inter cooler,’ worth a look when you do the overhaul. Great haul of wonderful Bronze fittings several times the cost of Victoria!
It is a 4.108m and thanks a bunch for the tips! We are super fortunate the former owner gave her to us. He could have made a killing parting her out and he knew it, it was never about the money for him. We paid a token amount and are very aware of it! We are forever in his debt, that man can have a ride anytime anywhere!
The owner of the schooner with which I crossed the Atlantic in 1983, had a Tamaya sextant. I did with the sun, stars and moon surveys during the two months of our trip. This sextant, from the factory, had zero defautls... ♥
The Tamiya corporation produced a sextant most commonly carried by the ship's Navigator onboard Japanese Destroyers during WWII. Once you clean it up a little, look for some writing which might (if you have someone translate) allow you to trace which Japanese warship it was carried on during the war. BRILLIANT FIND! Also, the "fish" towel holder is a Dauphin - the messenger for King Triton (Poseidon). Most people nowadays call them Mahi Mahi, but it is considered high fashion in the maritime environment. Looking forward to the videos of how you restore all that beautiful bronze!
Cool! We will have to take a closer look at it, the history we are unearthing is incredible! Thanks for sharing your knowledge about our towel holder! We won't be cleaning up the bronze until we start to install it in Arabella so it will be a while!
Great run through the boat and all its treasures. I am not sure I have come across a new build using donor boats to fit it out and that is one very cool thing about your project. There are countless old abandoned boats in boatyards around the world and rather than just skip them it really is cool to reuse this stuff which as you say, they just don't make it like this any more. I did something similar but my boat was not a new build. Arabella will have heaps of history and character from the get go, each fitting has a story. Keep going guys. Andy Sussex, UK
Thanks for the lovely comment as usual! =) We never could have afforded to buy all that hardware and a lot of it we probably could not even find if we did have the cash. Arabella will be outfitted better than we ever could have hoped and for practically nothing. Could not imagine a cheaper/better way to do it! To our understanding it's been a long time tradition and it makes sense, unfortunately most things today just are not made to last so we have lost a lot of that culture.
It’s really good to see that you are recycling as much as possible. If you put that ‘’griddle’’ on a source of heat, it will brand your hands, also you have to be very careful of Verdis Gris(the blue greenish colour), it’s copper(that’s reacting with the acidic water/air) which is poisonous. I have seen something similar on Radio transmitter/receivers, so that you can move them for maintenance. But I cannot guarantee that that’s exactly what it is. I love the Binnacle, it is the crowning glory, we used a low powered white bulbs, but I don’t see a problem with a red one, other than the fact that white bulbs are easily found. Good luck(not that you really need it), and I hope that you have the Sun in your face, and the Wind at your back...
I love what you guys are doing and am thoroughly enjoying your videos! I am 2182 days away from retiring, getting on a boat, and sailing the world. Hopefully I'll see you out there. If I get a chance to get to Massachusetts before then I'd love to stop by and just shoot the breeze with you guys. Thanks for posting.
We are happy to show folks around anytime so if you are in the area please drop us a line and stop by! We feel ya, we have about 9,000 hours of work before we get on Arabella and sail the world. It's good to have goals and dreams! We certainly hope to cross wakes with you someday!
what treasures you've acquired. i love old stuff, whether it's still usable or it's junk...so this episode was right up my alley. thanks for sharing it. so cool!
I wouldn't like to think of the cost in time and money it would take to buy those bronze pieces separately, never mind all the useable wood, you guys scored there, I've been binging the playlist over two days and you have my total respect for what you're doing here
Thanks! We agree, even if money was no object just finding all those matching bronze pieces would take a very long time! Victoria is one heck of a score but we like to think of her more as a gift. We paid a small token amount for her, Bruce wanted his beloved vessel to go to a "good" home and we were the best of a lot of bad options for her. Our elation for the bronze and such is tempered by the fact that a beautiful, old, stout vessel is meeting her demise. It's very bitter sweet.
It will be a while! Once we have most of a hull built we will start slowly moving things over. We want to do it in as methodical a fashion as possible.
Nice score! Good mahogany is expensive, as is brass/bronze. You will definitely make the cost back if using most of it. They really made those Pearsons well. If you start pricing engines, you may find that using the Perkins puts your costs farther ahead.
Super Duper cool episode! Thanks for the tour. Amazing to see a foreshadowing of AAAAALLLLL the amazing journey still to come. I particularly related with this episode for the "find" aspect, as I love a good repurpose/salvage savings! How much did Victoria cost you? What would she cost new shape today?
We spent just under $3,000 to buy and truck Victoria, she was practically given to us. I don't know what her price tag would be if built to those standards today, somewhere in the 6 figure range for sure.
That Maxprop new is around $2,500-3,500 depending on specs. I read a Yachting magazine article the other day that suggests (and confirms my own experience) you earn 1/2 kt to 1 kt of speed with a feathering or folding prop as opposed to a fixed one. On a big ol' girl like Arabella, that's a real benefit. The Maxprop and others like it apparently add a little more propwalk than folding props, but have great power in reverse. I have a 2-blade Variprofile that is very similar to a Maxprop. I love it. The one trick is that you have to pop the trans into reverse (after you shut down the diesel) to get the prop to feather. Do not attempt to dismantle the prop. So much additional great stuff beautiful bronze details and bits and bobs. I am guessing that that Perkins is a treasure - some level of rebuilt will get you another 5,000 hours out of it. I'm kinda thinking your HP estimate is incorrect though. What a great value it was purchasing that boat, and I think you're paying her great respect by re-using all of that gorgeous hardware and timber.
Thanks for the info! It's always great to be able to read the comments and learn something!!! =) We have the manual for the Perkins and the manufacturer claims 53 hp.
A great tour of Victoria. But not being a sea faring person, I wish that you had given some idea and pictures of how the head works on a boat. A plumbing lesson in other words. Super videos guys!
It is a bit of a process! ha! We are going to install a composting head so it will be a simple affair. Maybe when we pull Vicky apart we can show ya'll how a flush head works on a boat.
I was literally crying at the waste of such a beautiful vessel for want of a little care. The owner who did not care about the routine maintenance required with such a beauty deserves a special place in Hades. Maybe Arabella could be named Spirit of Victoria. Cheers Eric
We feel ya, We have surveys from 2004 and 2007. She needed minor work in 2004 which she never got and by 2007 she was in rough shape, leaking badly and was abandoned. Its actually amazing the last owner (got her in 07) was able to keep her floating until this past year.
What a great find! So cool to upcycle so many of the fitting onto a new boat. Thanks for posting the up date. When you strip out the lights, I would love to help restore them if you are willing to ship to California. Can’t wait for the next posting.
We doubt we will be willing to ship them out but you have plenty of time to plan a visit and come help us restore them here! =) Next video is this Friday and is us topping and dropping a 70+' spruce to use as spar material. Steve takes ya'll up 60' in the air with him and the chainsaw to top the tree, it's a fun one!
Thanks for the tour, I was really looking forward to it, a great score indeed.I hope you will try to increase the light in Arabella the dark interior would way me down especially in the warmer climates you will head to.
Yes! Improving the lighting, especially the natural lighting will be a priority. We agree the varnished mahogany is a bit dark and gloomy for a live aboard.
It would be really cool if you engraved the bell with "Victoria" and the date she was launched, and then right under that etch "Arabella" and the date she is launched.
Use the bucket of bronze to design, cast and sell acorn bottle openers! Make sure the building inspector gets one.
although I just started watching this series last night, I became addicted in my first video. In this video I can hear the passion in your voice which carries an emotion that is hard to describe. the best way I can describe it is heartfelt. What an amazing journey
Thanks!
We are pretty passionate about what we are doing! Glad it came though =)
I just came upon your channel and I am tickled to see your progress. Out of high school I traveled the world on the GI vacation ( been around twice, in both directions). I worked as a Gov. contractor in D.C. until about 1990 when frustration launched me into a U.S.A tour in a Volkswagon Vanagon With a Wesrtfalia camp topper. My buddy and I made it all the way to Alaska and back ( his home town in Illinois and mine in Kentucky where I currently reside). That was a five year adventure that neither of us will ever forget. My family thought of me as a wander lust fool, but loved seeing the pictures, the post cards, the canisters of dirt or sand and my mother cried when I brought her an old wine bottle filled with glacier water. I used to be the eccentric and now my nieces and nephews are traveling the world. I have a cousin that is twenty years my junior ( I am the oldest of the oldest of the oldest.....) who ha,s to date, almost double my stamps in his Pass port.
I still venture out, but not as much. In todays "Environment" it gladdens me to see adventurers taking on the challenges. So many now are unwilling to take risks and can not handle failures. When you fail or fumble... Learn from it and keep going!
On a practical note... I would have bought Victoria for the bright work and the anchor wench as well. You made a sound investment and the Mahogany alone is worth a fortune. The Perkins should be tore down to the block. if need be the cylinders can be sleeved. With the head and valve reworked she should last your life times. It would be ashamed if all of Victoria's fittings and fixtures were not incorporated in Arabella. Victoria looked to be a proud ship, as yours will be, that was well found. A ships bell is said to be her voice and carries her soul. If Victoria's bell carries no marks Arabella honor her in memory on her New bell.
I have a ton of practical experience and some engineering advice/opinions (mechanically and electrically speaking). This episode brought tears for the passing of a good girl and joy at the founding of another!
Thanks for the awesome comment!
Sounds like you have had quite the life, congrats. Also awesome to hear that you inspired your family members to travel! More people should get out and see the world, there is a lot to see and experience!
All the bronze including the bell with get transferred to Arabella, Victoria will certainly live on =)
I admire your intention to restore/reuse as much of Victoria as you can. Building the dingy with material form Victoria is genius. I have enjoyed your journey and look forward to your next step.
It's a tribute, as i see it. And in old mariner terms, good luck. If an old boat lends her bones to a new one, it's a sign of good things, means she was strong enough to pass on to the new generation.
Aserta,
Nailed it!
Glad ya'll are following along and enjoy/appreciate what we are doing!
What a treasure you have discovered! Nice to know that Victoria will live on in Arabella. The reuse adds another great feature to Arabella.
I think that bronze plate with the handles is a grill as well. I just love that ole windlass She's amazing! I don't blame you one bit not wanting to part with any of that bronze until everything is fitted together and she's all ready for Sail. That Binnacle is another huge gem as well. The great thing! aboot the bronze hardware is that it will last forever and it looks so beautiful in my estimation. O man to be able to use all that interior will speed things up like bigtime to get her fitted out and ready for the launch. Incredible that was very smart of you to purchase Victoria to have all that treasure to help fit out Arabella I love it, and how can any one not agree with that.
What an amazing find, what an amazing treasure! I actually got a bit emotional watching this. Victoria is like an elegant old lady who has reached the end of her life but will live on in Arabella through her donations.
Precisely! :)
Back to the Bronze Age - love it!
Victoria was quite the find and it's going to be fantastic to see embark on new voyages with Arabella.
Well done guys!
Thanks!
First, love your idea of keeping Victoria alive in the dinghy. I really hope ur able to pull that off. & when she’s complete, say a little prayer to transfer her ‘spirit’. Second, thank you for putting the screws, etc... out there for others. To someone with no experience I’m sure that seems frivolous, but to the right person it will mean everything!
Just amazing. Thanks for saving all these nautical treasures that were the past of our mariner culture. Great inspiration for any sailor.
Thanks! Having Victoria and all her treasures is fantastic inspiration for us and as others have mentioned she sets the bar high in terms of craftsmanship!
I know this is an older video but I am going back and watching through your "All Videos" playlist. What a windfall Victoria was for you guys. I am not sure how much you paid for her but with your comment at the start that you would have bought her for the anchor windlass alone, I'm guessing you two are ecstatic over all the other stuff that you are going to be able to upcycle and repurpose.
I have no interest in ship building but I love your videos just because of the sheer scope of the project and watching all the small tasks come together is going to be awesome.
You fellas are an inspiration to tinkerer's everywhere and the poster boy's for dedication, keep up the good work!
Thanks!
We paid $1,200 to truck her here and $1,200 to purchase her. She was a gift, the money to buy her was just to prove we were serious and Bruce had to get something for her. We are indeed over the moon and will do our best to do well by Victoria as we incorporate her into Arabella.
some amazing fittings to re use and bring back to life...a darn good buy...
Just to say I, too, had a Perkins 4/108 in a boat back in the day. Great motor.
All the best with your project. I will be following your journey with keen interest.👍
Really enjoyed seeing this up close and personal video of Victoria. Thanks for sending me the link. I see why you are excited to use her hardware and wood for Arabella, and its a perfect recycling project. The consolidation of new timbers and old hardware and mahogany really keeps Victoria alive in a sense, and produces a brand new DNA . Can't wait to see what you guys end up doing down below in Arabella with all that buffed-up bronze. :)
What a huge find! The only downside is, the quality and detail of Victoria"s appointments sets the standard and scope of the project. Shortcuts will be glaring by comparison. I just hope I'm young enough to see it finished. :)
I don't think it is a downside. Rather, it sets the standard to show them where to aim. I'm betting they will be up to it.
Depends if you want to go sailing or not.
I think they'll do fine. And i don't see it as a downer that it's to a standard, it's more like a goal, and they certainly seem to be the kind of people that are goal driven. As for time, in the video where they visit Total Boat, he certainly explains the age thing, so yeah. I'm patient. Just like i was patient with Doug's steel Junk boat, and she's mighty close.
Victoria does not really raise the bar for us, another push to reach it sure but the plan from the beginning was to build something that could become history.
As John Ruskin said
"When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for it; and let us think that a time is to come when those heirlooms will be held sacred because our hands have touched them, and that men will say, as they look upon the labor and wrought substance of them. See! This our father did for us."
This is how we feel about the band saw, Victoria, Steve's heirloom hand tools and Arabella. We are thankful those men made such a bad-ass enduring machine and Victoria sailed for almost 100 years with no major maintenance, had she received it she could go another 100, her hardware can and will.
But it takes time and costs money. It's not how things are done these days. In the short term there are cheaper easier ways, in the long run no other way makes sense.
We're in it for the long haul and right now it may seem like a lot of bluster but give us some time, we are still laying the foundation as far as we are concerned.
Love that quote.
Getting Victoria will save you guys thousands of dollars. Bonus on the Perkins. I've got a six cylinder in my boat and they are very reliable.
The fact that you are going to re utilize so much of Victoria is what I really love about this project! Truly looking forward to following your progress, and thank you for sharing it with all of us.
The finishing portion is going to be crazy. Seeing all this hardware is awesome.
Tiller arm. UK canal boats are steered from standing in the rear hatch. The tiller arm is curved to make it the right height for the steersman to use. If this arm was fixed it would make it difficult to get out of the door, so the arm enters the tiller at an angle. When moored up the arm is turned over so that it curves up not down. This serves the duel purpose that it stops you banging your head but a boat with its tiller reversed indicates that it is moored up, not just waiting to go through a lock.
I think it's awesome how much of Victoria you're going to put into Arabella. Victoria will live on in Arabella!
I think my mouth was watering during the tour of all the treasures on Victoria - what great inspiration and motivation going forward with Arabella - good luck guys!
Thanks!
We feel the same!
Just a thought on that Perkins engine - it looks like a 4.107 or 4.108 - you would struggle to do better. I have been using these engines for nearly 40 years with next to no trouble. Parts are readily available everywhere. They are economical, easy to work on and will sound right for Arabella.
Pete Nash The motor was going to be my next question
It's a 1987 4.108m and that is what we have heard. She fired right up after almost a year of being idle. No small feat for any motor never mind a 30 year old motor!
I used a 4.108m in Temptress for 25 years and 20,000 ocean miles. I just upgraded to a Yanmar as the 4.108 was always too small for Temptress. I have loads of spares, injector pump, starters everything. If you are interested PM me. Advice: I like the 4.108 but make sure you know how to bleed it. It's a pain to bleed but if you add an electric fuel pump (I use mine to transfer fuel between tanks) it will bleed much easier. Just know how to do it before you take an air bubble in on a stormy day when you need then engine.
well except for the notorious oil leaks
Right on,
It's going to be a while before we dive into the motor and determine if it's worth restoring and using but if it is we would certainly be interested in picking your brain and seeing what you have for pats kicking around.
Thanks!
Awesome haul....Not a bad idea to take pictures and measurements of the pockets in the wood for the various fixtures and latches as you remove them. Position and angle of catch plates etc. Make basic cardboard templates/notes to keep with the parts. Basic hinges, forget about it, but that locking door knob latch could be fun getting lined up perfect in a new door without some guidance.
Get a bunch of zip lock bags and keep the screws and stuff with each part. Some of that bronze may have been added later. The fish towel holder may be an addition. There appears to be a putty filled screw hole above it on the wall where it was moved or where something else was mounted originally. Many times back then screws were house made which means the screws from the soap dish may be slightly different looking from the ones in the door hinges etc.
Standard procedure in restoration work for example. Pictures, in situ, off, and with the initial emplacement, and then drawings, and templates.
We have started to bag and catalog things and intend to keep doing so. The video footage is a huge asset!
The pattern making is a good idea and one we had not thought of. Thanks!
The hope is to keep Victoria as whole as possible for as long as possible so we can measure and transfer as we go. She has safely held everything in order for a long time, don't see a need to change that sooner than required.
Naming the dinghy Victoria will be a beautiful touch. Good to see you guys doing things with such respect for such a beautiful old ship.
Thanks! We want to do our best to honor her and all the lives she touched and took to distant shores.
Sad to see a proud vessel that will never kiss the waves again. I love that you're going to use as much of Victoria as you can, especially making a skiff from reclaimed timbers and having her nameplate on it. Her spirit will once more lift to the sky.
Awesome idea for the dingy guys. It's sad to see Victoria in such bad shape but spectacular to know that she gets to live on. Keep up the great work guys
I mentioned on another what a great find this boat is. By incorporating so much of the Victoria into the Arabella perhaps you should rename to Virabella.....lol. Thanks so much for the video.
Glad you liked it and are following our journey!
Thanks for the comment!
brothers; I wish you all the best with your research and safety of Arabella's longevity. I am loving the quality of your workmanship in carpentry skills.
I see a lot of brightwork that needs cleaning and polishing. Mate, get me a case of Brasso and some cotton cloths. I still think you came upon a great find for the donor boat that it will add lots of history to Arabella. How lucky can you be.
We are lucky to have gotten Victoria.
Victoria will live on in Arabella! How cool is that! Love your project!
I really do enjoy the small details that someone in the past engineered into the simplest parts of the boat. You can tell someone really considered convenience and utility when making them. I am not familiar with boats, but this seems like a very unique one and it's awesome to see guys wanting to make their own unique boat and reusing the quirky bits from an old one.
She is a amazing vessel! The details are incredible and we are learning a lot from them! We are truly fortunate to have her and utilize her, we are going to do our best to do her justice, she deserves it!
I'm sure you'll do a better job than most. Keep it up, I am really enjoying seeing your progress. I work in one of the largest shipyards in the world, and it is fascinating to see how you accomplish similar things without the vast resources I am used to. I am generally the one writing the procedures for the workers carrying them out, but as a vastly smaller operation you guys do all the thinking as well as the hands-on work. It is an entirely different situation, and very impressive to me.
I just love that fact that the history and everything that is Victoria won't be lost but will become life for another vessel. She gets to sail once again. It seems today in America we love to get rid of the old, our history a real life map/vision of or past and just buy new. What you guys are doing is amazing and I enjoy watching every step Keep up the great work and Thank you for documenting your journey so we can enjoy it as well.
Thanks!
We recently heard from one of the former care takers of Victoria! We are hoping to be able to meet up with him and hear all his tales about her. Apparently a doctor had her built and he make multiple trips to South America to source all the mahogany!
We are over the moon to be able to learn her history.
So glad you are enjoying following our journey!
Absolutely beautiful. The character of that boat is incredible.
I have no clue how I started following this build, but i'm hooked. Can't wait to see how this turns out. keep up the great work and nice buy!!!
Thanks!
I have been working for a year on the fort of Oranjestad in STATIA (the island on the watercolor!)
I have a friend who builds his boat also in France. While waiting to see him again, your videos make me dream!
Bisous
I've harvested hardware from a number of older boats. It always takes a while because it makes me stop and think about the hands that were on those parts, the things the former owner and his crew said and thought, and the fun and excitement this old boat provided when she was still alive. Great video tour. Thank you.
We feel the same way. For example- how many hours have been spent staring at the binnacle keeping a course.
We really wish she could tell us her tales, we are sure there are some good ones!
Love the idea of building the new dingy out out of the old wood and parts then keeping the name. It's a fitting continuation. Good on you.
That's what we thought =) Thanks!
So much usable bronze. Maybe even enough to more than cover what you spent on Victoria. That will be awesome to be able to reuse so much mahogany and bronze fitment form the old girl.
I don't know if it is possible to be more excited than you guys are, but I'd bet I'm close. I'm definitely jealous. Thatnks so much for brings us viewers along forbthe journey. Maybe I'll even get the chance to come see her in person one day. #BucketList
You are welcome anytime!
Stoked to have ya'll following along, the project would be a lot harder and less fun without you!
The videos are a ton of work but so far have been worth it, the connections we have made and are making are priceless.
We know for sure we have also helped push a few others to take the plunge on builds of their own and that is the best thing of all! We want everyone who follows to feel a shot of inspiration to go chase their dreams!
I wanna polish the bronze! Get her dun fellas, we all can’t wait! Thanks for the journey but man your making us impatient. Nice work, we can’t wait for more.
It's going to be a while so best find some patience =)
We are going to spend the winter harvesting some more lumber, making a new keel mold and making as much $$ as possible. We are hoping in the spring to have enough squirreled away for both of us to work full time on the project for at least the summer. Things will pick up dramatically in the spring! It's a really really long marathon so we have to pace ourselves =)
Incredible hardware on Victoria ! Such a shame, but what a beauty ! 500 dollars ?? Wow ! One fitting would cost that today ! I was thinking she'd make a great little home as she is ! Man, great find guys.matt
What a great score! Congrats guys!
Stunning work, really beautiful craftsmanship guys. A trick to bring up all that metalwork is to blow it with baking soda. Many air kits on eBay etc and it really makes a tedious job very quick and easy. Arabella is going to be a real gem, can't wait!
I've heard of that before, when the time comes we will have to give it a try.
While watching this video, I kept thinking "Ship of Theseus". Its good to see all of these parts getting a 2ed life!
Just in the reclaimed mahogany she more than paid for herself. Add the bronze work, sextant, and other odds and ends and that was a major score. Just in resale value. All the time that will save you guys? WOW! You guys took home the find of the century!
We agree!
We never would have found her without the Wooden Boat Forum, those gents gave us the heads up.
The former owner knew what he had and gave her to us. We truly paid a token amount, we actually paid 1/2 of what we originally offered! He lowered the price, he didn't care about the money, he cared about his boat and where she would end up. We were the best of a lot of bad options for her.
Not surprised. Like with the bandsaw, finding someone who has a true need for her, even if it was just parts of her, and would take the effort to do it right, probably softened the deal in his mind. Especially knowing the alternative.
Exactly,
We were truly the best of a lot of bad options for her. It was not a happy day for him but I think with seeing our shit eating grins and our project he could stomach it. I think he might have scuttled her before he saw her parted out in all directions for a profit.
Yeah, you could pretty much just throw that whole interior straight into your boat. Without cozying up to a Laotian warlord, there's no way you could legally secure this much solid mahogany without spending a small fortune.
The plan is to do just that, no war lords required!
There is no telling how much money and time Victoria has saved us!
You have done a great job explaine the boat and showing with the video cam the details of what cool thing you got when you purchased the boat. we can also see how much you appreciate unique thing. It was nice to catch your video. Thank
I have just watched this for the second time. So much neat stuff on Victoria.
Wow what a beautiful yacht the ''Victoria" was, what a pity she cant be saved but she will live on as the dingy Victoria which i think is very fitting and what a treasure trove of bronze fittings she bestowed upon you guys ,congratulations on a fantastic channel keep up the good work guys cheers Andy
Thanks!
We will do our best to keep chugging along and cranking out the videos. Glad you are enjoying them!
Victoria is quite the treasure and we will do our best to do her justice!
This guy, this project is absolutely amazing. To see someone so young take an interest, and initiative to restore this old boat is awe inspiring. I ould love to make the 2hour 28 minute drive up to go see the project and even lend a hand if i could. Cant wait to see thr end of this project / labor of love
One of the most enjoyable videos I’ve ever watched. Part treasure hunt, part detective story, part mystery with a good dose of romance thrown in.The good kind. I know there will be moments in the future , when you are alone in the bowels of Victoria’s hull , that you will see and feel the hands and spirits of the individuals who preceded you . Doesn’t translate well to the written word but it is as real as anything else you will find. Keep up the good work.
Thanks! So glad you enjoyed it!
That has already happened in spades, I feel the same way using many of my tools.
My sharpening stones belonged to my Great Great Grandpa for example. I think they would be tickled pink to know their heir was using their stones and tools to build a vessel from trees from the same property that they lived on and used. The history in Arabella is outrageous!
Great tour of Victoria! It will be exciting to move many of the items to Arabella... to last for another 100 years or so. Wishing you all the best on your boat building journey. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks! and thanks for following!
No need to apologize for the "non-boat working video" That was a fun little tour. Its awesome to see some of you younger guys who can genuinely appreciate some of the old world style! Every thing today is so fancy and high Tech.......I guess i am just a sucker for the nostalgic.
Very lucky find. Its cool you will be combining the old with the new, in the old tradition.
That's how we roll, like hooking a 100 year old band saw up to a modern day VFD. The old and the new can work quite well together given half a chance =)
What an amazing amount of hardware you are able to utilize from Victoria!
Indeed! We are very lucky boat builders!
Great Video! This will add so much old marine look to Arabella. And so much more to the story of the two boats as one.
Thanks!
We feel the same way!
Prop motor and hardware. Score of the year. Awsome
Cheers
Gift of the year =) We did pay for her but it was a token amount, kinda like buy the binnacle and windlass and get the rest for free. We are blown away the bronze stayed together this long and was not "upgraded" or sold off to make a quick buck. Victoria really is like a time capsule.
Victoria makes me very sad. She must have been glorious to have such appointments. Her owners clearly at the end were never caretakers.
I'm a sailor, though not the kind you might imagine; my boat flew beneath the sea. But she and Victoria had one thing in common, caring hands that built and sailed her, thoughtful men who polished and groomed her and proud men who skipped her youthful body across the waves. The "John C." is gone now, retired with honor. When Victoria is finally gone, do the same for her.
I am following with great interest your adventure as Arabella comes into being. Your creation of the keel manually is inspired and inspiring. I think the keel is the soul of a ship, the steadying influence keeping her upright and 'grounded', if such a thing is possible in the sea.
Some meanings given Arabella are 'entreatable' and 'loveable' which I take it to mean that you will find her easy to love but you must remember to ask for her obedience, not force it. That's good advice for a sailor.
I respect your hard work and dedication to what is obviously a labor of love. I admire your knowledge and expert craft--they say an artist must master his craft before he can create a work of art. You appear well on your way.
I am not a religious man but, nonetheless, Godspeed.
Loved the series,
Finding. Victoria and transplanting stuff to the new boat was a great idea.
Thanks!
We have to give credit where credit is due.
Folks on the Wooden Boat Forum kept suggesting that we find a salvage vessel but we were too busy with everything else to try to hunt one up and it seemed like a lot of work for a few used parts. Then one of the members alerted us to Victoria and a few others chimed in and urged we go check her out. So we did and we were flabbergasted! When we got her back and inventoried the folks on the forum were just as blown away.
They found us one hell of a treasure trove!!! It was their suggestion and leg work finding her, without them we would not have found her and she probably would have been parted out and her bronze scattered forever. Both us and Victoria are lucky to have found each other!
Acorn To Arabella great to hear back from u
I slept on it...
It’s like a dying Person-Victoria- donated a kidney to a young person!
A bronze kidney!
Great find!. That Perkins (looks like a 4-108 to me), the transmission and the Max-Prop alone are worth many times more than what you paid.
One quick correction or the windlass: that hand wheel in on the front of it does not adjust the speed as you described, it is a clutch. Turn it one way and the clutch is engaged and the crank turns the gypsies. Turned the other way and the gypsies freewheel (useful for dropping the anchor).
Damn good eye! 1987 4.108m to be exact
Thanks for the correction!
It's great to be learning about the stuff we own =) We know enough to know we know practically nothing and comments like yours help us immensely.
I think someone else pointed this out, but the handspikes (maybe bronze, but likely steel rods) for the windlass should be stowed aboard somewhere. They look a lot like the stanchions you had in that bucket (you called them lifeline "uprights"). Just make sure you don't accidentally melt them down!
We have not had a chance to look yet but we will figure it out before we get rid of/melt anything down!
With the purchase of Victoria, you guys, have just save a HUGE amount of money for Arabella. That Perkins Diesel should be seriously considered for your powering requirements. All of the bronze fittings and accoutrements are like hitting the lottery. Just started following you guys and am glad I found you. Excellent work!!
We plan on giving the Perkins a complete overhaul and installing it in Arabella. The bronze is amazing, coupled with all the bronze we got from the Pearson we have quite the collection!
Glad you are enjoying following our journey!
That hook on the bottom of the bottle opener is to hang a bag for bottle caps. Amazing treasures. Love the tender idea, BTW.
Thanks! Yeah the details on Victoria are incredible, we are so thankful we can keep her jewels together.
The wood alone in that boat is a treasure. wow that is so cool
Just fantastic to hear about your dreams and I'm rooting for you. Now get your heads down and build!! Make those dreams come true
Oh and have you managed to find a bronze beard trimmer?? Lol
Np bronze beard trimmer yet, but if you find one let us know!
Amazing. I'd be tempted to keep Victoria as a land-based "boat", to maintain the cool interior as a place to camp out, or even live. You'd just have to restore the bottom structure I suppose. Of course, that's not a viable solution for the long run. You did the right thing by bringing her back to life in a new boat and tender, but I'd find it hard to make that transformation.
The craftsmanship in all the cabinetry, bronzework are beautiful , imagine the shine and color of the inside of the saloon , table laid out with charts , is the table on a gimble i have to ask , all the mahogany below decks is so highly polished too , the crew member hired to keep all that bronze , glass and wood so highly polished certainly had their hands full , its such a shame to see all the decay in the Hull itself , or she would have been totally repairable , done with care the re_use of all the remaining parts will keep her good name for the future sailing in the new dinghy Victoria ,i wish you all the luck foe the future .
Thanks!
She is a very special boat and was well loved and cared for at one point. One of her former care takers (Rick) recently found us and we are slowly learning about her travels and how she came to exist in the first place. A doctor had her built and he made numerous trips to South America to procure the mahogany, her mast came from Oregon, no expense was spared in her construction!
It is a real shame to see her in this condition but we won't waste a thing and everything that is solid will continue together. Rick spent 15 years with Victoria cruising all over and although he is sad to have learned her fate he said he is very happy she will continue on in Arabella and once again seek that distant shore. It is so relieving to be taking her apart with his blessing!
Thank You for your kind reply so soon ,
Just a thought , the skipper of Victoria not the owner would have kept a very detailed log of all her activities and destinations , ports of call etc , they may be available through the US National vessel Documentation Center This document weighty as it might be it is a legal requirement by the Government to produce when asked , im not suggesting any untoward happened in her history at all but it may be a huge help in figuring her history out
Heres a link to a PDF that may direct you in the right direction because they will have copies (hopefully) of the Logs of Victoria , i wish you luck
NVDC_46_CFR_Part_67_TecAmdt_FR_170920.pdf
Graham, I don't know of a way of contacting you off-line so I'll suggest to you here that if you'd like to lighten their load you might do that research for them. You seem to have the knowledge to gather some information that they might enjoy and use in some way. Again, just a suggestion.
That is so amazing you guys!!!!! It’s like finding a hardware store and getting it delivered to your place. I feel ya on how many things you can use from Victoria on Arabella. Amazing find.
Indeed! We are crazy fortunate and the hardware store analogy is spot on!
Once again an amazing video. I don't know what a windlass is or why you have to find the handle thingy lol I am all automotive and truck I have never been on a sailing vessel but I might have to add that to my bucket list. I would ask how much for a ride on Arabella when she is finished but I don't think I will live to see her in the water. That is not a slight to you at all, I already know that to do things right (like you gentlemen are doing) everything takes time. Time that you have and should spend doing what you are doing but unfortunately it is time I don't think I have left. I might pop in and haunt your beautiful lady for a minute or ten though, if the bell rings in dead calm water and no wind it's just me saying hello and thank you.
Amazing the names of your boat Arabella and Victoria end in the same sound.
Meant to be part of Arabella!
Why can’t I stop watching this?
Hay guy's,
i am really injoying watching all your films. I would love to clean the bronz from arbella.
I am from egypt. It was a nice surprise to see Ahmef from egypt.
I would like very much to help you. But i will tell you when i am ready.
Well done for all what you are doing.
That Mahogany is like gold. Central American Mahogany is growing more and more scarce, and expensive as all hell, and that's where the good stuff is from. You're going to save a lot of money salvaging the wood and hardware from the Victoria.
And time! We are saving months or more in time and labor.
Treasure inventory day? Beautiful collection of hardware. Thanks for sharing.
Wishing you both, and your families, a very Merry Christmas.
Thanks! Same to you!
Christmas came real early around here! Victoria is the best gift anyone could ever give us!
I put a 4108 in a 40 ft schooner many years ago. They are bulletproof engines and parts are readily available. It is most likely a refit as those boats were originally fit with gasoline motors such as the greymarine and older series. You really can't lose with that Perkins motor. It will push your boat in a current when most boats are anchored waiting for the tide to turn. I don't know how big Arabella is going to be though.
The motor is a 4.108m made in 1987 so for sure a re-fit. We have heard mostly rave reviews about them and hope it's in good enough condition to be re-used. Time will tell but if it makes it into Arabella it will be after a complete and total overhaul.
Arabella will be 38' on deck and displace 25,000 pounds empty. Plans call for a 40hp so the Perkins should have plenty of oomph.
I might add that you might consider going to a more modern rig, if you are planning to sail the world short handed. The gaff rig is is a more complicated rig than Marconi, it is a much heavier rig and can foul when you are trying to get it down when conditions are turning bad on you. If its a nod to a look, I get it, but think long and hard about that rig choice. Having had a gaff rigged schooner with a Marconi main, I can tell you that I have run into just such situations and have been caught fighting the gaff at a most inoportune time.
We have until we start framing the deck to decide and nothing is set in stone.
To our understanding both rigs have their pros and cons. We also have met some folks who really know their stuff who have offered to help us sort it out once the time comes. Either way we will re-evaluate the rig since a lot has changed since 1934 and we won't be using cotton sails like the plans call for =)
One of the mistakes people make and manufacturers make in the smaller boats (up to around 40 ft or smaller) is that the engine space is usually under the cockpit and impeding into the cabin. But to save space for living, its common to skimp on that engine space. Big mistake! When you have to work on those engines and you will, oil changes etc, its next to impossible. If I was to build a boat these days, ease of axis to my engine would be a priority.
If the engine is a Perkins 4.107/8 the cylinder liners corrode very quickly if any salt water gets past the ‘inter cooler,’ worth a look when you do the overhaul. Great haul of wonderful Bronze fittings several times the cost of Victoria!
It is a 4.108m and thanks a bunch for the tips!
We are super fortunate the former owner gave her to us. He could have made a killing parting her out and he knew it, it was never about the money for him. We paid a token amount and are very aware of it! We are forever in his debt, that man can have a ride anytime anywhere!
The owner of the schooner with which I crossed the Atlantic in 1983, had a Tamaya sextant. I did with the sun, stars and moon surveys during the two months of our trip.
This sextant, from the factory, had zero defautls... ♥
Inspiring project. Keep up the great work and interesting videos
Thanks!
We will, don't worry =)
Absolutely amazing. Acorn to Arabella is my new favorite channel.
Good luck!
Nice to hear! Glad you are enjoying it!
Thanks!
Enjoying the journey and your excitement for the project!
Thanks!
Great purchase!
Best one we have ever made and probably ever will make!
Very resourceful.
The Tamiya corporation produced a sextant most commonly carried by the ship's Navigator onboard Japanese Destroyers during WWII. Once you clean it up a little, look for some writing which might (if you have someone translate) allow you to trace which Japanese warship it was carried on during the war. BRILLIANT FIND!
Also, the "fish" towel holder is a Dauphin - the messenger for King Triton (Poseidon). Most people nowadays call them Mahi Mahi, but it is considered high fashion in the maritime environment.
Looking forward to the videos of how you restore all that beautiful bronze!
Cool!
We will have to take a closer look at it, the history we are unearthing is incredible!
Thanks for sharing your knowledge about our towel holder!
We won't be cleaning up the bronze until we start to install it in Arabella so it will be a while!
Great run through the boat and all its treasures. I am not sure I have come across a new build using donor boats to fit it out and that is one very cool thing about your project. There are countless old abandoned boats in boatyards around the world and rather than just skip them it really is cool to reuse this stuff which as you say, they just don't make it like this any more. I did something similar but my boat was not a new build. Arabella will have heaps of history and character from the get go, each fitting has a story. Keep going guys. Andy Sussex, UK
Thanks for the lovely comment as usual! =)
We never could have afforded to buy all that hardware and a lot of it we probably could not even find if we did have the cash. Arabella will be outfitted better than we ever could have hoped and for practically nothing. Could not imagine a cheaper/better way to do it! To our understanding it's been a long time tradition and it makes sense, unfortunately most things today just are not made to last so we have lost a lot of that culture.
Acorn To Arabella you are so right and you have found an old boat with some truly unique fittings and features. Love it. A
It’s really good to see that you are recycling as much as possible.
If you put that ‘’griddle’’ on a source of heat, it will brand your hands, also you have to be very careful of Verdis Gris(the blue greenish colour), it’s copper(that’s reacting with the acidic water/air) which is poisonous.
I have seen something similar on Radio transmitter/receivers, so that you can move them for maintenance.
But I cannot guarantee that that’s exactly what it is.
I love the Binnacle, it is the crowning glory, we used a low powered white bulbs, but I don’t see a problem with a red one, other than the fact that white bulbs are easily found.
Good luck(not that you really need it), and I hope that you have the Sun in your face, and the Wind at your back...
I love what you guys are doing and am thoroughly enjoying your videos! I am 2182 days away from retiring, getting on a boat, and sailing the world. Hopefully I'll see you out there. If I get a chance to get to Massachusetts before then I'd love to stop by and just shoot the breeze with you guys. Thanks for posting.
We are happy to show folks around anytime so if you are in the area please drop us a line and stop by!
We feel ya, we have about 9,000 hours of work before we get on Arabella and sail the world. It's good to have goals and dreams! We certainly hope to cross wakes with you someday!
Really enjoying your vids guys. Keep em coming.
Thanks, will do!
Wishing you the best! All that’s left to do is everything!
Not everything, we have a few things done =) But yeah, there is a lot to do!
what treasures you've acquired.
i love old stuff, whether it's still usable or it's junk...so this episode was right up my alley. thanks for sharing it.
so cool!
We have gotten some treasure that is for sure! We also love old stuff, they just don't make things like they used to. Glad you enjoyed the tour!
I wouldn't like to think of the cost in time and money it would take to buy those bronze pieces separately, never mind all the useable wood, you guys scored there, I've been binging the playlist over two days and you have my total respect for what you're doing here
Thanks!
We agree, even if money was no object just finding all those matching bronze pieces would take a very long time!
Victoria is one heck of a score but we like to think of her more as a gift. We paid a small token amount for her, Bruce wanted his beloved vessel to go to a "good" home and we were the best of a lot of bad options for her. Our elation for the bronze and such is tempered by the fact that a beautiful, old, stout vessel is meeting her demise. It's very bitter sweet.
Fantastic interior and fittings, a great addition to Arabella. Like that you hope to make the tender from her parts too..
Just a "little" challenge for them at the end. Lol.
Well we gotta make a tender anyways =) Can't pass up a mahogany/cedar dingy now can we?
what a find all the part,s looking forward to how you well finds ways to us them..
It will be a while! Once we have most of a hull built we will start slowly moving things over. We want to do it in as methodical a fashion as possible.
best thing to do, I can tell you two shall do it right..
Nice score! Good mahogany is expensive, as is brass/bronze. You will definitely make the cost back if using most of it. They really made those Pearsons well. If you start pricing engines, you may find that using the Perkins puts your costs farther ahead.
Super Duper cool episode! Thanks for the tour. Amazing to see a foreshadowing of AAAAALLLLL the amazing journey still to come. I particularly related with this episode for the "find" aspect, as I love a good repurpose/salvage savings!
How much did Victoria cost you? What would she cost new shape today?
We spent just under $3,000 to buy and truck Victoria, she was practically given to us. I don't know what her price tag would be if built to those standards today, somewhere in the 6 figure range for sure.
That Maxprop new is around $2,500-3,500 depending on specs. I read a Yachting magazine article the other day that suggests (and confirms my own experience) you earn 1/2 kt to 1 kt of speed with a feathering or folding prop as opposed to a fixed one. On a big ol' girl like Arabella, that's a real benefit. The Maxprop and others like it apparently add a little more propwalk than folding props, but have great power in reverse. I have a 2-blade Variprofile that is very similar to a Maxprop. I love it. The one trick is that you have to pop the trans into reverse (after you shut down the diesel) to get the prop to feather.
Do not attempt to dismantle the prop.
So much additional great stuff beautiful bronze details and bits and bobs. I am guessing that that Perkins is a treasure - some level of rebuilt will get you another 5,000 hours out of it. I'm kinda thinking your HP estimate is incorrect though.
What a great value it was purchasing that boat, and I think you're paying her great respect by re-using all of that gorgeous hardware and timber.
Thanks for the info!
It's always great to be able to read the comments and learn something!!! =)
We have the manual for the Perkins and the manufacturer claims 53 hp.
A great tour of Victoria. But not being a sea faring person, I wish that you had given some idea and pictures of how the head works on a boat. A plumbing lesson in other words. Super videos guys!
It is a bit of a process! ha!
We are going to install a composting head so it will be a simple affair. Maybe when we pull Vicky apart we can show ya'll how a flush head works on a boat.
if it is "Statia" on the watecolor that means St Eustatius. We Dutch often shorten "St. Eustatius" to "Statia".
Love your work.
I was literally crying at the waste of such a beautiful vessel for want of a little care.
The owner who did not care about the routine maintenance required with such a beauty deserves a special place in Hades.
Maybe Arabella could be named Spirit of Victoria.
Cheers Eric
We feel ya,
We have surveys from 2004 and 2007. She needed minor work in 2004 which she never got and by 2007 she was in rough shape, leaking badly and was abandoned. Its actually amazing the last owner (got her in 07) was able to keep her floating until this past year.
What a great find! So cool to upcycle so many of the fitting onto a new boat. Thanks for posting the up date. When you strip out the lights, I would love to help restore them if you are willing to ship to California. Can’t wait for the next posting.
We doubt we will be willing to ship them out but you have plenty of time to plan a visit and come help us restore them here! =)
Next video is this Friday and is us topping and dropping a 70+' spruce to use as spar material. Steve takes ya'll up 60' in the air with him and the chainsaw to top the tree, it's a fun one!
At 27:01 bad. ALL screw slots on your new boat should be the same ... vertical... visually pleasing and moisture drains quickly
Thanks for the tour, I was really looking forward to it, a great score indeed.I hope you will try to increase the light in Arabella the dark interior would way me down especially in the warmer climates you will head to.
Yes!
Improving the lighting, especially the natural lighting will be a priority. We agree the varnished mahogany is a bit dark and gloomy for a live aboard.