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Work on Chance's Transom Framework and rebuilding her Navigation lights

https://youtu.be/ZMt_3mdRtaA   These updates are of the restoration of Chance our James Silver Western Isles Motorsailer, now that we have Chance at Titchmarsh Marina in Walton on the Naze Essex. The restoration can and will be easier to do has Chance is now very close to my own workshop and small yard. This update is continuing on with the framework pattern making and starting on work on the original Davey & Co Ltd Navigation lights off Chance. They have been loving restored to their original condition and have had all the missing or otherwise damaged parts replaced and in some cases have had new parts custom made to the original patterned parts from the original parts of the inner working parts. These lights will be rewired and new LED bulbs fitted to increase the strength of the lights. We are looking for a steaming light and stern light of the same design so that Chance will have a complete set of original design navigation lights once Chance is back in the water and th...

Continuing the work on making up the patterns for the transom framework cross beams

  https://youtu.be/QHUfLw3ykDY These updates are of the restoration of Chance our James Silver Western Isles Motorsailer, now that we have Chance at Titchmarsh Marina in Walton on the Naze Essex. The restoration can and will be easier to do has Chance is now very close to my own workshop and small yard. Titchmarsh Marina will be Chances' home for the next four to five years while we restore her to her former glory with the aid of our family and friends. Once we have her back afloat we hope to sail her back to the Silver's boatyard in 2028 which will be 80 years a since Chance was launched at the Boatyard. This video is showing Simon making the new patterns for the cross beams of the transom framework before he tackles the sternpost knee and then moving on to the outer edge framework that connects the whole of the framework together in one piece that can be fitted to the back of the hull in one piece the way it was originally made up when Chance was originally build back in 1...

Finally getting grips with the Transom Frame work from Chance

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Now we have the space to lay out the pieces of the transom frame work, we can see how much of the original can give us a good idea of what is useable as patterns and what will have to be made up. The plywood pattern is of the outer edge of the transom frame work which is missing and will have to be made up from some of the seasoned oak pile out in the yard. The old pieces were screwed on to the sternpost knee so that the shape can be remade. The sternpost knee is in three pieces and will put together so that it can be used as a pattern. The last floor bearer which will need made into a pattern and the angles to make it the correct shape to refit the hull once the hog is replaced. So let the fun begin on the major project.  

The restoration of our James Silver "Western Isles" Chance 4 years into the restoration

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  These updates are of the restoration of Chance our James Silver Western Isles Motorsailer,The first part of the restoration project was started in Woodplumpton in Lancashire. This is where the major part of the stripping down of the boat took place. Now that we are back at Titchmarsh Marina in Walton on the Naze Essex. The restoration can start to gain more pace as it is going to be easier to do the rebuilding of Chance is now very close to my own workshop and small yard. However, over the past year there has been major upheavals in our family lives which as caused problems having the time to work on Chance. However, that is life for you.

Interesting news about the original owners of Chance and how it relates to our family

https://youtu.be/CnHx3wajwXo   Interesting news about the original owners of Chance and how it relates to our family. Our son Michael who is very interested in Family history and Genealogy has been looking back along Simon's mother's family line and found out that Edith Rose Hignell was a relative of my Great Grand mother. So we now have a link to the original owner and his wife who had Chance Commissioned and launched in 1948 at Roseneath in Scotland. With this information it gives us more drive to get Chance restored and but in the water.

Removing the last floor bearer and getting ready to remove the rudder tube,

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Now removed the last floor bearer which was behind the rudder tube and was the brace between the last set of frames it is now giving us access the rudder tube and will be able to remove the bolts and screws holding the rudder tube n position. Once the rudder tube is out of the deadwood then we can remove the planks on either side of the deadwood and remove the rotten section and replace the deadwood with a new seasoned oak piece and bolt it back in position and then stat to rebuild the transom area of the hull. The parts of the stern knee sternpost and the two cross beams from the port side of te transom framework.  

We are now moulding a new 8ft GRP tender dinghy to help raise funds to hep keep the Chance restoration project going

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We are now moulding a GRP tender which we will put up for sale when it is completed to raise funds for both Chance and the Mai Star II restoration projects. Follow along as we mould this 8 ft tender. Which when complete will sold to give us more funds for the projects.  

The Chance restoration team lending a hand as crew for the final leg from Scarborough to Whitby for the crew of the ex RNLB Amity

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One of the crew from the Chance Restoration team  looking to see if the coast is clear before we set sail at 06.00 hrs this morning  While on passage to Whitby an old RNLB Sailing motoring lifeboat on passage south towards Scarborough direction  As we got close to Whitby harbour the new Shannon class RNLB  came out to escort us in to the harbour along with the D Class RNLB  and the restored  rowing RNLB along with a flotilla of other small boats  In the distance you ca see the rowing RNLB holding station before we come along side and they lead the  flotilla  into Whitby harbour. Ex RNLB Amity alongside her ne berth in Whitby Harbour. From here Amity will be used by the Helen Wycherley Charity to raise funds to restore the Helen Wycherley and then both Boats can be used to help people with disabilities.   

Long John Silver on his travels in North Yorkshire and he met his wife to be Fran at Redcar Lifeboat Station and got married in Scarborough

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  Long John Silver was on his travels in the north of England and while he was in Redcar met his wife to be Fran at the Redcar lifeboat shop. It was love at first sight.  After short engagement they decided to get married at another local Lifeboat station.  This time is was Scarborough Lifeboat Station.  At this point they roped in a couple of local Lifeboat mascots to act as Best Man and Bridesmaid. The Best man's name is James and the Bridesmaid name is Elizabeth.  Here is the lovely couple with their Best man and Bridesmaid having their wedding photos taken outside the Scarborough Lifeboat Station on a sunny spring afternoon. Now the couple are on their honeymoon. When they come back they will be put to work on helping Simon Tricia with Chance's ongoing restoration.    

The Chance Restoration mascot out on his travels and getting married while he was in the North Yorkshire and visiting RNLI stations in the area.

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Long John Silver out on his travels with his friends Albert(RNLB Helen Wycherley's owners) coffee mug. While his was at the Zetland Lifeboat museum, Long John Silver met his new wife to be Fran. Tricia acting as a chaperone  Then Simon the father of the groom had his photo taken to make it a family photo. The happy couple having their first photo together as  newly married couple The best man and the bridesmaid  The group photo of the wedding party at Scarborough Lifeboat station.