A 50-foot hull being layed up at Wesmac in Surry. The workers are altering the hull for twin Caterpillar diesel engines.
This is Isaac Beal’s CHRISTOPHER, a 26-footer that he and his father built and launched in 1976. Note the side deck framing, which Isaac is currently working on.
Isaac Beal, Jonesport
Isaac Beal has been at the Jonesport Shipyard in Bert Frost’s old shop working on his 26-footer CHRISTOPHER since last May and he is gaining. After removing the tarp early last May and a thorough cleaning, Isaac began by refastened forward of the main bulkhead. He finished this up mid-summer and put a coat of primer on. The crew from the yard then came in, shored up the house and then removed it from the hull. This house and trunk are to far gone, so it was placed outside and will be used for patterns.
Isaac then worked to get the boat back in shape. He said she is no plumb, level with no twists. The major problem is the starboard side, around the hauling patch. All the rotten wood has been removed and Isaac has begun putting in the deck frames for the washboards. The crew was amazed to watch him perfectly cut these curved oak deck frames out with a table saw. He still has some forward deck beams to put in and has about two-thirds of the portside wash rail frames bolted in place. This will be followed by a couple of sharp risers (floor timbers). This should make her stable enough to put a batten on so he can plank. The more structure, the more stable she will be, which is what Isaac is looking for. He will then steam some new frames in on the port and starboard sides. On the portside Isaac thinks they are good, but he still wants to add sisters in between the frames. On the starboard side there are several that have major rot issues and these will be replaced. Isaac thought that there was 18 aft of the bulkhead.
There is a lot of wood at the yard, and more has come in from several donors. He was still looking for some more cedar and was going to head down to Pembroke to get some.
The plan now is to get the sharp risers and frames in place, make sure she is very stable and then move her to the main shop where Isaac will find it much more comfortable.
Wesmac, Surry, ME
In the layup shop they have a 50-foot hull being laid up, which will be set up for twin C18 Caterpillars. She is nearing completion and will then go down to one of the work bays to be finished.
In Bay #1 they have a 46, which is being finished out as a sportfisherman. For accommodations she has a master stateroom with a V-berth, head and hanging lockers and a guest stateroom. Up in the shelter she has a starboard helm with nav seat to port; dinette style settee raised so you can see out the windows with a galley.
In Bay #2 there is a 42, which they have just started to finish out as a cruiser/sportfisherman for a customer from North Carolina. They are working under the platform and next they will be installing her engine, an 1,150-hp C18 Caterpillar. She will have a similar interior, but trimmed out in the Herreshoff style, white panels with wood trim.
In Bay #3, is another 42, which they have stretched to 46 and are finishing off as a sportfisherman. She will have similar accommodations with a light wood trim and polished gel-coat. For power she will have a 1,200-hp MAN.
In the next bay, #4, is another 42 stretched to 46, which has twin Volvo pods
In Bay #5 is a 57, which is being finished out as a marine patrol boat for the Department of Marine Resources. This one is going to be interesting to follow has she is powered with a Tier 4 engine. A Tier 4 set up generates a lot heat and that can create issues. She will be rigged like a lobster boat.
In the last Bay, #6, they have a 50, which is being finished out as a walkaround for a customer from Texas. The cockpit will be the normal setup and you will step up to walk up to the bow. She is going to be powered with a 2,200-hp C-32B.
A 42 cruiser was finished off for a customer from the Portland area. The split wheelhouse is the Massachusetts version with the outside station behind the inner one. In the shelter she as a large settee with a helm station to starboard and nav seat to port. There is also a refrigerator and freezer. Down below she has four berths. She is powered with an 1,150-hp Scania.
Down at the lower yard, they have a 50, which is being converted from a lobster boat to a sportfisherman. She will also be getting a repower, which means a bigger shaft and wheel and a new genset.
There is also a 55 jet boat, rigged for sportfishing, for a customer from Florida nearing completion.
