Restoration
We’re currently working on Mizpah, carrying out a restoration sympathetic to the vessel’s early years as a Plymouth hooker fishing boat.
Restoration Log
2026
Repairs to the covering boards took place, and they were morticed for the future bulwark stanchions. Many new cavils were built of reclaimed teak and purple heart. New carlings and half-beams were installed, based on the original fishboat layout. New bowsprit bitts and mast posts were constructed along with their partners. New coamings for the forward hatch, fish hatch, and companionway hatch were built.
We’ve been gifted this tool chest from fellow wooden boat enthusiast Jim Marsh, who had two grandfathers that both worked as shipwrights. What an amazing and generous gifthis fills a lot of holes in our tool crib and will greatly help the Mizpah project move forward. Also, Peter Heiberg has sent us a copy of Skene’s ‘Elements of Yacht Design’ – a most handy reference book. In addition, Peter has set aside a 20 foot long piece of gumwood for Mizpah!
2025
The boat was de-rigged, and then Serge’s team at Canoe Cove Marina pulled the mast. A group of friends then came along for the ride to the travel lift. After a power wash, the boat was loaded onto a trailer and delivered by Don’s Boat Transport to our shop in the Cowichan valley. Previous to this, the boat’s tender was restored. It is believed to be a Ken Douglas built skiff – possibly constructed for his own personal use. It required new rubstrakes, new stringers, and several knees were replaced.
A fabric shelter was erected over the boat and deconstruction commenced. The 1970’s interior was dismantled, along with all the electrical and plumbing systems. The Lister diesel engine (bought new in the 1960’s and weighing over one thousand pounds with the gearbox and associated exhaust & air intake) was lifted out with a truck crane and sold to a local off-grid farm to start it’s second life as a generator. The red cedar deck was cut out and the square boat nail fasteners were individually drawn out – their holes then plugged. Various boat parts (including the dead-eyes, the early 1900’s windlass, and the tiller) were removed and restored before being stored for future use. Several spars were tended to: the gaff saddle was re-leathered, and a new mizzen mast, yard and outrigger were crafted (a new mast and bowsprit are yet to be sourced). Lastly, several deckbeams were built of reclaimed iroko.
