Preview: How to Build a Caledonia Yawl, Part 40 – Installing the Hardware

21 Responses So Far to “How to Build a Caledonia Yawl, Part 40 – Installing the Hardware”

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  Dean Fletcher says:

  Beautiful build and quite traditional until the fitting rigging stage. I personally would have manufactured wooden cleats rather than those horrible galvy rust streakers. All that work then those things?
  Cheers

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  Jim Kramer says:

  Thanks Geoff.

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  Jim Kramer says:

  Geoff,
  Did you drill the holes in the pintle arms?
  Jim

  • 

    Geoff Kerr says:

    The WC pintles I used in this project come predrilled with 3/16″ ish holes. A related aside: Bob LaVertue/Springfield Fan Centerboard Company who made the gudgeons used here is now making a beautifully matched pintle specifically for the Caledonia. They are appropriately expensive ($300+ for the 4 piece set) and worth every penny. His phone in Ludlow, MA is 413 547 8364.

    • 

      Daniel Simonds says:

      Does anyone know whether this source is still valid. I found one old-looking reference online. Planning to try the telephone number in the morning?

      Any other recommendations for suitable gudgeons?

      • 

        Steve Stone says:

        Hi Daniel. I just saw a post from Geoff on Instagram touting this hardware, so it should still be good. Please let us know via a “contact us” email if you can’t get to them.

      • 

        Geoff Kerr says:

        Daniel, I just received two sets of hardware from Bob. He’s still active, just likes to business by phone. 413 547 8364. Lv a msg and he will return your call.

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          Daniel Simonds says:

          Thanks. I just left him a voicemail. Will let you know how it works out.

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            Daniel Simonds says:

            For anyone interested, I purchased – and just received – a set of hardware from Bob LaVertue. They aren’t cheap, but very well made and a good value in my judgement. Bob is easy to do business with. Just give him a call at the number above.

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  joe brikha says:

  Mr. Kerr, such wonderful workmanship all around but with a boat so beautiful, I wish you used shop-made hardwood cleats instead of galvanized steel. They could be strong enough yet compliment this exquisite creation.

  • 

    Geoff Kerr says:

    Hardware choices for a given project always require a balance of time, money, aesthetics, and function. My own “Ned Ludd” sports a lovely large hardwood cleat for anchoring and mooring. Sometimes good, cheap and available is the right choice.

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  Scott Hiltunen says:

  Hello Geoff,

  Glad to have all of this good information as I continue to build my own Caledonia.I met you a few years ago at the Woodenboat Show in Mystic Conn. Iain was there as well and gave a nice presentation about some of his work and travels.
  Thanks for all the help.

  Scott Hiltunen

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  Bill Rutherford says:

  And the last digit in Bob LaVertue’s phone number, I believe, is a “4”.
  Ask him about his power dory “Thumper”. Starts both in forward and reverse…
  Great series. Thanks, Bill

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  Stewart Lee says:

  All right, here’s a pintle question…
  I’ve been looking for the Wilcox and Crittendon 1-1/2 pintles, and they are few and far between. To begin with Wilcox and Crittendon now seems to be a part of the Thetford corporation, and they mainly make marine toilets.
  I found the Fisheries Supply website, with an unbelieveable price of $10.27 apiece. Unfortunately, the page also says that they are out of stock and that the manufacturer has stopped making them. (http://www.fisheriessupply.com/wilcox-crittenden-w-c-37636)

  The only site I was able to find that had them was Hamilton Marine, with a price tag of $69.99 apiece. There was also a note that there are 322 left in stock.
  (http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/browse.cfm/pintle-bronze-1-1-2-use-with-462-gudgeon-136009-/4,9225.html)
  The difference between $20.50 a pair and $140.00 a pair is… shall we say, a remarkable $119.50.

  Geoff, do you happen to have a source with a better price, or do you have a secret cache that you are willing to sell from?

  By the way, I can’t tell you how sorry I am that this series is coming to an end. I’ve enjoyed it very much, and learned such a lot! Thanks!

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    Stewart Lee says:

    Ah, for an edit button! I was wrong about the Fisheries Supply pintle. It’s not the Wilcox-Crittendon one, and in fact it’s a gudgeon. I’ll be wiping the egg of my face for a while. Sheesh!

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    Geoff Kerr says:

    Hamilton Marine is where I get them. If you think they are expensive, try making them yourself. It is my understanding that HM bought all of the WC inventory when they closed.

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      Stewart Lee says:

      Yeah, I did some real research and right now there’s a pair WC pintles from Hamilton Marine sitting on my desk. Like I said, I wish there was an edit button so I didn’t sound like such an idiot. Sorry about that, Geoff.

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  Larry Cheek says:

  When I built my first daysailer I assumed the pintles would happily ride within their gudgeons forever, held there by—I don’t know, The Magic Force? I learned on only the second outing that this force did not exist, when a bit of bouncy water popped the rudder assembly right out. I am very happy that no one happened to be nearby with a GoPro to make a video of me hanging over the transom, struggling to reinstall the rudder while the breeze blew us around like a bug in a Maytag.

  Good chandleries have a simple solution in the form of a thin, bendable stainless steel tab that mounts above one of the pintle/gudgeon assemblies. It costs a couple of bucks and works perfectly.

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    Geoff Kerr says:

    The rudder head is so massive on this design that gravity seems to prevail. I lost Ned’s rudder once while beached, when a massive boat wake lifted it off and it floated away. Mercifully a nice man in a sportfishing boat picked it up out in the ocean and cruised in the inlet ’til he saw a matching paint job. I was happily and obliviously sunning and building castles with my kids. Maybe a leash or tether would be wise, and I have installed the spring clip you describe on some projects.

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  James Reinhard says:

  What alloy are the square drive screws and through bolts? The galvanized is a nice workmanlike touch.

  • 

    Geoff Kerr says:

    The fasteners are silicon bronze…standard marine fasteners, available from Jamestown and Hamilton and lots of other places I’m sure.