WIZARD is one of the fourteen Herreshoff Fishers Island 31 sloops (named for their waterline length; they’re 44′ on deck), and Dr. Robert Murray sailed this one around the world as PATAPSCO II back in the 1960s. She’s languished ashore for the past 22 years under cover but is now coming to life again in Brion Rieff‘s shop here in Brooklin. Brion’s ingenuity always amazes me, and I want to share with you the rundown on WIZARD’s ongoing restoration.
This is what we saw passing in front of the OffCenterHarbor.com office in the fall of 2012. WIZARD is one of the teak-decked and trimmed FIS 31s, and well worth saving.
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David Mowen says:
Great to see something done differently with the method’s definite advantages, the main being able to work on a level surface. Wondered how the plan line of the sheer strake was preserved without the shelf and clamp in place. Also looking forward to method of letting-in and fastening ribs into the keel (when it is done). I’m re-ribbing 43′ Alden ’24 and replacing after portion of keel, so thus the interest.
James Cook says:
Goodness me! that makes the current restoration of my boat look like a walk in the park. Thank you all so much for the great joy of your wonderful blogs and videos. They keep me going whilst my boat is under repair (currently 3 years) and have taught me an awful lot.
James Cook 50.47.564 N 000.02.845E
Peter Shepherd says:
From 1959 until 1977 this boat lay in Ed Wayne’s yard at the head of the creek in Patchogue, Long Island. I mourned her impending demise every time I saw her. Her resurrection described here is a splendid encouragement!
Maynard Bray says:
Hi Peter,
Nice to know about this. We’re slowly piecing this boat’s history together and any information you could provide would be a great help. I believe the boat, then named Patapsco II, was on a circumnavigation until 1963 and returned to Port Jefferson, not Patchogue, which was her listed home port. So 1959 sounds a bit too early for her Patchogue days.
We discovered her lying dockside in Patchogue around 1990 after Dr. Murray died, and arranged her sale and transport to Brooklin.
Please weigh in on any information you have. We’re especially eager to discover Dr. Murray’s logbook from his 1959-1963 voyage.
Maynard
Robert Chimenti says:
Maynard…
I was thrilled to learn that the Patapsco II is being restored. I recently came upon the OCH website and your work while searching for information on Dr. Murray and the Patapsco II subsequent to their return to Long Island.
You are correct in your response to Mr. Shepherd’s note of 4/25/2014. The Patapsco II was in the UK for the latter part of 1959 and was to set sail on the main part of its circumnavigation in June 1960.
.
Regards… Bob
Maynard Bray says:
Hi Bob,
I appreciate your weighing in on the Patapsco II story. Can you tell me more about Dr. Murray and his circumnavigation? What was/is your connection with him and the boat?
Best,
Maynard
Andy Reynolds says:
I’m also curious about Wizards age. Her planking is in remarkably good condition. Is it the original planking?
Maynard Bray says:
Hi again Andy,
WIZARD was built in 1930 and, like most Herreshoff-built yachts, her planking has remained good because of durable woods (cypress and Douglas-fir) and non-ferrous fastenings having been used. All of her original double planking is being retained, and most of her single, long-leaf yellow pine bottom planking as well. I believe the garboards will be the only new hull planks.
Maynard
Andy Reynolds says:
This looks like a great strategy for reframing. How much time elapsed from the original bend onto the pattern brackets, and moving them up and against the hull? Thanks for this look “over the shoulder” of these pros at work. Looking forward to the video too.
Maynard Bray says:
Hi Andy,
Only five or ten minutes elapse from when the hot frame is bent and stay-lathed to when temporary screws are driven to hold the frame in place against the hull planking. While the frame is still hot and flexible, care is taken to get it pulled in tight all along its length. (It was correctly beveled beforehand.)
If the frame fits there (next to the original it is destined to replace), it also fits when slid into its final position, since the distance is so small. It only has to move by its own width after the original frame has been cleared away.
Hope this answers your question.
Maynard
Ken Strangward says:
Really makes you appreciate the skill & precision work involved in a restoration like this.
Fascinating, to see how it’s done.
Have a great Easter