The restoration of a 1958 10 metre wooden Bermudian sloop, designed by Fred Parker
BRYNHILDE, a 1958 Fred Parker 10 metre wooden Bermudian sloop, has been in her present family’s ownership for the past 40 years, competing in the Panerai sponsored regattas in the south of France for over a decade, and most recently the Monaco Classic Week – La Belle Classe.
Built 61 years ago, BRYNHILDE has had numerous minor refits and repairs throughout her years, but nothing quite to the extent of her present restoration in our Big Blue Sheds.
Arrival & inspection
Work began stripping her back from stem to stern in order to carry out a full survey and inspection.
Once she had been stripped back, a works list started to be written up to ensure she would be restored to her rightful glory.
Exterior
With BRYNHILDE stripped back to the bare bones we could begin to repair or replace the deck beams, beam shelf, transom, hull frames and planking.
With the deck removed, it was immediately apparent that many of BRYNHILDE’s deck beams were seriously decayed, not unexpected as the last time they were looked at was over 61 years ago when she was initially built!
New deck fitted
Accurate templates of the yacht are needed to precisely measure and assemble a well-fitting replacement teak deck. Berthon shipwrights use ‘door Skin’ templates, a traditional method using 50 – 75mm wide by 2 – 3mm thick plywood strips and a hot glue gun to exactly template the area.
BRYNHILDE originally had a swept deck and the replacement teak panels were set out to replicate this arrangement.
Interior
BRYNHILDE’s interior was restored after the joinery was stripped out from stem to stern to allow access to the hull frames, sheer clamp, beam shelf, engine mounts, strap floors and knees.
Paint and finishing touches
Berthon has one of the most modern yacht and boat paint spraying facilities in Europe. The 92 x 36ft finishing booth is flanked by two similar size preparation booths. This allows a dust-free spray paint finish every time.
BRYNHILDE was moved into the paint facility for the application of several layers of International epoxy primer, some very careful final sanding and the application of International Perfection-Pro polyurethane topcoat in Mediterranean white.
Launch and Mast Stepping
As every owner of a traditional wooden boat knows, launching your yacht after a year or so ashore, with timbers drying out and seams opening up, can be a stressful moment.
Berthon are well used to dealing with traditionally constructed timber vessels and some careful planning with auxiliary pumps and plenty of time to allow the vessel to hang in the slings after launch to allow the timber to take up moisture, the seams to plim up and leaks to slow to a trickle are all factored in to launch day.
Sea Trials
Berthon have a long pedigree building and refitting both commercial boats and leisure yachts, and the sea trial process is paramount at the end of such a comprehensive restoration. Set procedures have been honed through working with the RNLI, MOD, Pilot Authorities and professional Captains as well as Owners of leisure yachts.
New sails were fitted the morning of the sea trial, made by Ratsey and Lapthorn, who also made the sails for BRYNHILDE when she was first launched in 1958.
Family & friends ready to make the best of a beautiful winter’s day on The Solent.
If you have a boat, whether motor or sail, which you would like to be lovingly restored back to its former glory. Please contact us to arrange a tour of our facilities and set up a meeting with Berthon project managers.
