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F2410
Date Posted: 23 Feb 10 20:21
I have just purchased, via ebay, Firefly 2410 minus mast, boom, rigging and rudder.
I made this purchase principally for its road trailer and launching trolley for my F1725 'Flip' which I am currently restoring. I fully expected F2410's hull to be a ruin but on examination feel there's life in her yet. Unlike 'Flip', she doesn't appear to leak and beneath its awful cosmetics, peeling red paint and varnish, there is certainly a craft worth fighting for.
The seller could tell me nothing of the boat's history other than it had been in a friend's garden for a number of years but there is a transom sticker: 'Durleigh Sailing Club 1995'

My questions are:

Can Peter possibly help with the history of F2410?

Can any member advise me how best to remove the paint from the hull and restore the original wood finish?

Does any member have a suitable spare mast, boom, rigging and rudder I can buy?

Lastly, I am not sure of what Mk 2410 is as she has stainless steel fittings as opposed the bronze of 'Flip'. Flip's bouyancy tanks are sealed while 2410's have circular plastic plugs.

I will be grateful for any help you may give.

Graham Wetten
Author: Graham Wetten

Message ID: 222

Replies to this subject

F2410
Date Posted: 23 Feb 10 23:10
Graham - F2410 was supplied new to Chelsea College of Science and Technology 27 July 1959, having been measured by the RYA 21 July. Her hull weight is noted at 160lb, the class minimum at the time. She was probably kept at the Welsh Harp, and was named 'Squobble' Built as a Mark l, with the wooden top rotating Fairey Mast and supplied with terylene sails from Ratsey and Lapthorn in Cowes, which had been introduced just that year to replace sails made from cotton. Sadly, the only other owner recorded is in the mid 1970's, a member living in Bristol, but Chelsea College seemed still to be owning her c1968.

I must admit that I have yet to come across Durleigh SC where she spent some of her time.

Hope this info is of interest, I will had you over now into the hands of the technical boffins to answer the rest of your points! Well outside my area of knowledge!

Regards .... Peter Lanham .... NFA BoatSearch
 
Author: Peter Lanham

Reply ID: 658

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F2410
Date Posted: 24 Feb 10 20:21
Thank you Peter. It's nice to be able to refer to her by name rather than a number.
Best wishes, Graham. 
Author: Graham Wetten

Reply ID: 662

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F2410
Date Posted: 24 Feb 10 20:23
I have made a start to cleaning F2410 'Squobble' and find that the paint and varnish lift off where the wood is wet beneath. I have uncovered a few patches in this way and the exposed wood continues to weep moisture.
I wondered whether I should attack the covered areas with a heatgun or could this damage the bond between the veneers?
The wood so far uncovered has a pleasing dark hue; almost mahogany in colour. Could this be the case or is it probable the retained water gives it that appearance?
In contrast, 'Flip' is golden yellow where I have taken her back to wood. 
Author: Graham Wetten

Reply ID: 664

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F2410
Date Posted: 24 Feb 10 22:26
I've not had a problem ever with a heat gun affecting the glue joint between veneers. I can't say that I would use one specifically to dry wood out when not paint stripping, though, as it has a very localized effect and you would most likey scorch the wood. A steadier warmth from an electic radiator once the boat is stripped for a few weeks (if fairly damp) will have a more lasting, safer effect.  
Author: Rupert Whelan

Reply ID: 666

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F2410
Date Posted: 25 Feb 10 12:21
Thank you for your observations Rupert. I think I'll go ahead and strip off all paint and varnish using a heatgun. Perhaps the high moisture content of the wood, combined with the heat, will aid removal. Once this is done, I'll leave her in her new dry environment to dry out on her own. Then, I suspect, the real fun will begin!!
Thanks again to you and all the other members for your help.
Graham Wetten. 
Author: Graham Wetten

Reply ID: 667

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