Wednesday 11 September 2019

where's our table!?


What’s going on in the yard? September 2019

Being on placement at Pioneer Sailing Trust for two weeks has given me just a snapshot of what is happening here at Harker’s Yard as we head into the crispy autumn days of 2019.

In the workshop, Fraser, one of the boatbuilding apprentices, is working on 39ft racing yacht Lady Nancy. Lady Nancy was built in 1893 at Neilsen’s Yard in Norway as a one-off design and the current rebuild has been commissioned by Sue, sister of Jamie Green, the previous owner of the boat, in his memory. After the rebuild, the aim is to race Lady Nancy again and continue the success this elegant and historic vessel has had over a long lifetime. Sitting on a wheely office chair, Fraser tells me he is fettling in the rebate to accommodate the planking. Working on Lady Nancy will be his first big planking project and what a project it is.





There’s a lot of talk about the missing wooden table which used to be in the Pioneer Sailing Trust tea room. It’s been sneaked into the yard to be sanded and varnished after a few too many stray lunchtime forks. I test my finishing skills and patience with a few coats of Epifanes varnish and it’s starting to look very shiny indeed. Too shiny for potential crumbs and coffee mug rings? By the end of my placement, a controversial imposter table appears in the tea room hinting of a new office-based home for the beautiful table we have been working on. Whatever your opinion, it’s important to keep that cup of coffee as close as possible! Written by Kate (SHTP2 trainee)






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