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Message board > Care & maintenance > Complete refurbishment of Deck and bilges ! A cautionary Tale!

Message 5 of 5
Posted by member Richard Moynan on Friday 8 May 2020

Hi Simon

Just seen your post, Congratulations I am sure you will not be disappointed with your Hardy Fisher. Repairs need not be as costly as all that if you do much of the work yourself. I will contact you on your email.

regards Richard

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Message 4 of 5
Posted by member Simon on Thursday 7 May 2020

Hi Richard,

I have not long been a Hardy own as of September and infant this is my first post. I purchased a Hardy Fisher 20 as a first boat (my Dad got fed up of me stealing his boat). It is very much a project boat as it need a fair amount of work. However your post is just what I have been looking for as I to have a less than solid port side deck and having seen your post guess I may have the same problem! I would be very grateful if you could share any photo and info from your rebuild as I think this would be helpful to know what I will be getting myself into? Especially as in this photo the work you've done looks absolutely stunning. That is if I can ever get back to the boat! My email is simoncdiaper@gmail.com If you do have anything you can send.

Many Thanks

Simon

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Message 3 of 5
Posted by member Richard Moynan on Thursday 2 April 2020

HI Simon,
Thank you for taking the time to talk to me this morning. It was both interesting and informative. I think I should make it clear to other HOC members that we are, despite my comments, huge Hardy fans, and were not at all put off by our little local difficulties! Before we committed to restoring her we did consider a number of other similar types of vessel, but came to the conclusion that she suited us better than the alternatives. The deck and bilge areas have now been beautifully restored [ as in the photo ] by our local GRP specialist. I am now refitting her with all the fixtures and fittings and we can't wait to put her on the water (whenever restrictions are lifted). In the meantime we have her sitting in the garden and are enjoying coffee on board when the weather allows!!!

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Message 2 of 5
Posted by member Simon Papendick on Tuesday 31 March 2020

Hi Richard,
I worked at Hardy Marine during the time your boat was build, I will not comment on the grade of plywood used as I was not directly involved in building that part of the boat, I fitted out the hull after the deck were glassed into position. However, seeing as the plywood lasted thirty years before it was replaced it was doing well. Even good grade marine plywood will start to give up the ghost after that many years in the condition many fishing boats are used. I would like to know where in the country you are and who your local boat repairers are. so I can put a different point of view from a person who build the boats and who as a first hand view of the boat.

Regards

Simon Papendick
Former Hardy Marine employee 1983 to 1990

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Message 1 of 5
Posted by member Richard Moynan on Tuesday 31 March 2020

* We have owned a Hardy Fisher 20 [ Highlander Times Two] for several of seasons. When we purchased her she had two fishing seats installed on pedestals but they cluttered her up in the stern so we removed them, sealed the deck with GRP. It became apparent the starboard side was less than solid. It was not that bad and an inspection indicated everywhere else was fine for the time being. So we continued using her. By the end of the last season it was apparent that the starboard side was becoming a problem. We decided to bite the bullet and repair whatever needed doing.
Are you sitting comfortably ? A drink with some nibbles would be nice, maybe some calming music ..........
Exploratory cutting of the deck revealed significant damp ( not wet), a mouldy smell and towards the stern interesting fungal growth. To cut a long story short, the deterioration was very extensive and we ended up gutting the entire area from the first bulkhead by the loo to the stern. We have now completely rebuilt her and that story could well be the subject of an article in a future HOC magazine. It was an interesting process which was achieved at a much lower cost then expected.
The Hull was totally sound, but the interior was made of poor quality shuttering ply which was either not sheathed in GRP(under side of decks) or only partially sheathed ( stringers and bulkheads) The worst rot was not where we expected but was caused by the unsheathed bottom of the cabin bulkhead in the keel channel wicking up the bulkhead and along the stringers. The port deck was the least affected. There was no evidence of prolonged flooding, but over 30 years there must have been some water ingress. Is this how they were built ? It all looked original, several of our local boat repairers were surprised at what we found, our soft deck was the least of our problems.
I would be interested in knowledgable comments. We have made a photo record of everything, rebuilt her with recycled cell board and GRP. We now have a lighter, stronger, rot proof vessel.
You never know, we might even be able to use her if lockdown ends !

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