John Fotios

Since we put the tent up, the big question has always been “How long will it last?”. On a nice calm day we don’t even think about it — but when the wind blows, being inside feels like being at…

It was time to fit the Rubbing Strips and Top Planks that we had prepared earlier. Handling was the dangerous bit. Having had one disaster through trying to bend one plank too far, Keith and I were now far more…

The Top Planks and the Rubbing Strips all need replacing. This is a big job because they run the full lenght of the boat, they are shaped to fit the lines of the boat and they are made out of…

Last year, when this Centenary Project got started and we were arranging to move Kandahar from Gallows Point, Beaumaris to the workshop “tent” I received a letter from a Mrs Rosemary Asher who lives in the Isle of Wight. Mrs…

We’ve finished the ribs — that is we’ve replaced all that we think is necessary. There is one original one left which looks OK so it will stay. Hope we don’t regret that later but meanwhile it will give us…

Arthur had been whittling away at the big banana-shaped piece of oak and this week arrived at the boat with the new stem ready for its first fitting. This was the first of several fittings and after each time the…

The old transom was shot so a suitable slab of new wood was purchased from our friendly woodyard in Trefnant. Using the old transom as a template Rod cut a new one to shape on the bandsaw. I think he’s…

We are now passed the halfway point with the re-ribbing of Gwalch with 24 done already. Following instructions from Arthur, Keith and I have cracked on with it. We have now drawn Neil Roobottom and Neil Appleton into the “ribbing…

COD ribs are made from North American Rock Elm. Your common or garden European Rock Elm wont do — its not flexible enough. It is also resistant to water and besides marine use its apparently used in the funereal business,…