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The "C" Class Sloop Whim
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The "C" Class sloop originated in Chester in the 1930s, when a group of yachtsmen, concerned with an overall
lack of variety in sailing vessels in the area, approached Reuben Heisler to design a new class of cruising
yacht. Heisler's design hit the water in 1937 and gained in popularity as the season progressed. One of the
first sloops built was Whim, commissioned from Heisler by Mrs. Alberta Pew. In 1938, Whim bested
the competition by winning the Chester Bay Challenge. As the decade passed, most of the sloops were sold to
other yachtsmen as their fame drew them away from Chester Basin.
As a class of sailing vessel, they remain
beautiful examples of their era and a joy to behold in action.
As restoration is still in an exploratory phase, we are still not sure as to how much work will have to be
completed on the sloop but we are committed to relaunching Whim during the summer of 2010. Visit this
page from time to time to see how the work is progressing.
For more information on the "C" Class sloop and yachting in Chester Basin, please consult Claudette Sapp's
book, "Sailors & Rattling Teacups", a history of the Chester Yacht Club.
Whim
LENGTH OVERALL 37ft 4 inches
LENGTH WATERLINE 25 ft
BEAM 8 ft 4 inches
LENGTH OF MAST 51 ft
RIG Marconi-rigged with spinnaker & club footed jib
CONSTRUCTION Carvel planked white pine over steam bent oak frames, oak backbone, stem & keel
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Whim returns to Chester -
Nov. 21, 2006
Whim and Museum boatbuilder Eamonn Doorly under tow from Gifford Island to Chester.
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Whim returns to Chester -
Nov. 21, 2006
Whim and Museum boatbuilder Eamonn Doorly under tow from Gifford Island to Chester.
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Out of the Water -
Nov. 21, 2006
Whim secured in a suspension cradle at South Shore Marine in Chester Basin.
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Out of the Water -
Nov. 21, 2006
Whim secured in a suspension cradle at South Shore Marine in Chester Basin.
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Whim arrives in Halifax -
Nov. 22, 2006
Whim makes her appearance on the Halifax waterfront, prior to restoration work at the Museum.
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Whim arrives in Halifax -
Nov. 22, 2006
Whim makes her appearance on the Halifax waterfront, prior to restoration work at the Museum.
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A tight fit -
Nov. 22, 2006
Whim loses her cabin top as the tight squeeze into the boatshed begins in earnest.
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A tight fit -
Nov. 22, 2006
Whim backing into the boatshed where restoration work will be carried out until 2010.
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Whim in her new home -
April 2, 2007
Whim doesn't give boatbuilder Eamonn Doorly much room to move in our boatshed.
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Lofting the sloop -
April 2, 2007
Boatbuilder Eamonn Doorly hard at work lofting the lines for the sloop in the boatshed.
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The Lofting Complete -
May 11, 2007
Eamonn's completed plans, which will be used as a guide to the restoration.
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Condition Analysis -
May 11, 2007
As part of the condition analysis, the garboard planking has been removed.
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Condition Analysis -
July, 2007
Paint stripped from the hull and original silicon bronze screws removed.
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Cutting a New Keel -
August 1, 2007
The keel pattern being laid by Eamonn and Brian Johnson.
The wood is red oak.
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Cutting a New Keel -
August 1, 2007
Brian begins the cutting process lining up the plank and pattern in
the Wood Mizer.
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Cutting a New Keel -
August 1, 2007
A great close up of the Wood Mizer in action. A great gift for Dad!!
Get yours today!!
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Preparing Frames -
October 1, 2007
Eamonn Doorly and students from the Dalhousie School of Architecture with a sectional plan of Whim.
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Steam Bending -
October 1, 2007
Strips of red oak are readied in the steam box. One hour per inch thickness is required to do the job.
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Preparing Frames -
October 1, 2007
Using a series of clamps and good old fashioned mallets, the oak strips are bent into the necessary shapes.
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Preparing Frames -
October 1, 2007
The process of bending the frames continues as the students and staff get a great hands-on experience.
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Preparing Frame Pockets -
October 5, 2007
With trusty chisel and mallet in hand, Eamonn prepares a series of frame pockets for the keel.
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Preparing Frame Pockets -
October 5, 2007
The keel and frame sections are made of sturdy red oak, the frames are steam bent to adhere to shape.
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Preparing Frame Pockets -
October 5, 2007
The hook section is made of apple, the curved crook being the perfect shape for the task.
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Preparing Frame Pockets -
October 5, 2007
Work will continue on the keel and the steam bent frame sections fitted into place in the weeks to come.
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Preparing Frame Pockets -
October 15, 2007
The work continues as the hooks and frame sections begin to take shape. Her lead keel weighs nearly 3 tons!
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Preparing Frame Pockets -
October 15, 2007
The keel, with several hooks in place, sits under the rest of the
sloop as work continues.
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Installing Keel Bolts -
October 25, 2007
With trusty mallet in hand, Eamonn begins to drive the bronze keel bolts into the keel.
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Installing Keel Bolts -
October 25, 2007
A great view of Eamonn driving in keel bolts with the rest of the hull hanging overhead.
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Installing Keel Bolts -
October 25, 2007
With trusty mallet in hand, Eamonn begins to drive the bronze keel bolts into the keel.
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Fixing Knees -
October 25, 2007
Eamonn makes some final adjustments to the stern post knee, which is made of red oak.
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Keel Work Continues -
November 2, 2007
In this amazing photo, you get a great view up through the hull, where the repaired keel will be fitted.
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Preparing the keel -
November 2, 2007
Eamonn and Senior Museum Preparator Mark Scott begin to move the keel into place.
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Preparing the keel -
November 6, 2007
The keel is placed under the rest of the hull. Note the slots in the keel where new ribs will be fitted.
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Preparing the keel -
November 6, 2007
A great shot showing how all of the pieces will fit together. Keep watching as the work continues.
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Keel Laying Ceremony -
November 14, 2007
The keel waits patiently for the festivities to begin. About forty people attended the ceremony.
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Keel Laying Ceremony -
November 14, 2007
Marven Moore, Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Maritime Museum acted as host for the event.
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Keel Laying Ceremony -
November 14, 2007
Ben Heisler attaches a small plaque to the keel, proclaiming her to be
"Fair and True".
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Keel Laying Ceremony -
November 14, 2007
The plaque, commemorating the event and the pride with which the Heisler's hold their father's work.
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Keel Laying Ceremony -
November 14, 2007
Wayne Heisler holds his glass high, leading those assmbled in a toast to Reuben Heisler and Whim.
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Keel Laying Ceremony -
November 14, 2007
Senior Museum Preparator Mark Scott drives home one of the silicon bronze keel bolts.
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Keel Laying Ceremony -
November 14, 2007
Debra Baker and Wayne Heisler. Mrs Baker's mother Alberta donated the sloop to the Museum.
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Keel Laying Ceremony -
November 14, 2007
Mrs Baker and Mr Heisler with Judy Streatch, Minister of Community Services for Nova Scotia.
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Interior Work
Jan 8, 2008
Eamonn Doorly takes some measurements of the cabin interior prior to restoration work.
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Interior Work
Jan 8, 2008
A view forward, including the sloop's anchor and registration number plates.
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Interior Work
Jan 8, 2008
A great shot of the sloop's galley looking forward into the hull's interior and the anchor seen above.
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Interior Work
Jan 8, 2008
The view aft, with the deck partially removed.
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Interior Work
Jan 8, 2008
Ribbands runs along the hull and set for frame replacement, which will begin next week.
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Interior Work
Jan 16, 2008
Steam bending begins as Eamonn Doorly and Senior Preparator Mark Scott get to work.
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Interior Work
Jan 16, 2008
The frames are made of red oak and require one hour of steaming per inch thickness.
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Interior Work
Jan 16, 2008
A great shot of Eamonn "walking the frame" using body weight to bend the frame to the shape of the hull.
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Interior Work
Jan 16, 2008
Ten alternate frames will be removed and replaced each day during the next week or so.
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Interior Work
Jan 16, 2008
Senior Preparator Mark Scott secures the frames in place using silicon bronze screws.
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Amazing Discovery
Jan 30, 2008
Reuben Heisler's signature was just discovered on one of the sloop's ceiling planks!
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Amazing Discovery
Jan 30, 2008
The frame with signature, pictured with Whim and a beautiful model of the sloop.
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Planking Replaced
Feb 06, 2008
Eamonn has begun to replace the garboard planking on the port side of the sloop.
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Planking Replaced
Feb 06, 2008
The replanking will be the next major step in getting Whim ready to race again.
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Planking Continues
Feb 19, 2008
Next to go on is the shutter plank, which is so named as it closes in the gap in the hull.
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Planking Continues
Feb 19, 2008
An amazing photo of the interior ribbing of the sloop, looking forward toward the bow.
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Planking Continues
Feb 19, 2008
Boatbuilder Eamonn Doorly continues the process of replacing existing planking on the hull.
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Planking Continues
Feb 19, 2008
Another amazing detail photo of the ribbing within Whim. More great photography from Gerry Lunn.
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Planking Continues
Feb 26, 2008
A shot of the preparations for spiling the shutter plank. The plywood is used to create a pattern for the plank.
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Planking Continues
Feb 26, 2008
This photo is looking forward and gives a nice view of the planking replacement at the waterline.
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Work on the Sails
March 26, 2008
In the Small Craft gallery. Measuring the original sails in preparation for the ordering of a new set.
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Work on the Sails
March 26, 2008
The main sail is on the upper left, the working jib at the upper right and the genoa at the lower right.
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Restoration Continues
April 4, 2008
The interior of the sloop, facing aft. Note the sheer clamps in place on the main frames.
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Restoration Continues
April 4, 2008
A great photo of the sloop's transom, awaiting repair as part of the restoration work.
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Restoration Continues
April 30, 2008
A nice photo of the ceiling of the sloop being run. The image is looking forward in the sloop.
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Restoration Continues
April 30, 2008
The after deck section has been removed. Note the lodging knees, which are made of Hackamatack.
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Restoration Continues
June 4, 2008
An interior shot, showing the cockpit, the interior bilges, now painted and the running ceiling.
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Restoration Continues
June 4, 2008
A view looking aft, with the starboard shutter plank ready to be installed in the sloop.
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Restoration Continues
August 12, 2008
A great picture of the teak cockpit, painted, inverted and ready to be installed.
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Restoration Continues
September 12, 2008
The cockpit is now installed, clamped and ready to be secured. Deck beams at the ready.
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Restoration Continues
September 12, 2008
Interior ceiling has been completed in this forward looking photo of the sloop.
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Restoration Continues
October 07, 2008
Pipe bearth in place on the starboard side of the cockpit. the photo is looking forward to the bow.
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Restoration Continues
October 07, 2008
Eamonn Doorly planing down the sheer with a draw knife to attain the correct deck camber.
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Restoration Continues
October 07, 2008
Deck beams installed, camber board showing correct camber. Great hackamatack knees!
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Restoration Continues
October 16, 2008
The original forward deck beam layout. All the original knees will be reused in the restoration.
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Restoration Continues
October 16, 2008
Forward view of Whim showing mortices for her new forestay sheaves.
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Restoration Continues
October 16, 2008
Pipe bearths and cockpit newly installed. Eamonn busy morticing for new deck blocks.
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Restoration Continues
October 16, 2008
The new forward deck beam assembly. The orginal knees will be restored and refitted.
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Restoration Continues
October 31, 2008
Eamonn checking the fairness of the deck near the newly installed mast step.
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Restoration Continues
October 31, 2008
A nice interior shot looking aft to the galley and head bulkheads of the sloop.
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Restoration Continues
December 05, 2008
The sloop's new head, sitting on a settee and waiting to be installed in its new home.
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Restoration Continues
December 05, 2008
Whim's head, waiting for its new fittings. It'll be a tight squeeze but
it will fit.
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Restoration Continues
December 12, 2008
Looking forward, this is the main salon area aboard the sloop with the settee cushions to be installed.
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Restoration Continues
December 12, 2008
Looking aft, with interior fittings and cockpit and internal framing completed and in place.
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Restoration Continues
December 12, 2008
Finally installed, the sloop's head and plumbing system. Not much room to manoeuvre.
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Restoration Continues
January 7, 2009
Eamonn Doorly invokes the spirit of Auguste Rodin as he thinks out his next move!
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Restoration Continues
January 7, 2009
The sloop's galley, with the sink installed as well as the cutting board, stowed on top of the stove unit.
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Restoration Continues
January 7, 2009
The main salon on the sloop's port side, with its new shelving units installed.
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Restoration Continues
January 7, 2009
The sloop's new watertank, installed and awaiting all of the final connections.
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Restoration Continues
January 7, 2009
A great shot of the inner workings of Whim, with many of the recent fittings installed.
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Restoration Continues
January 19, 2009
Eamonn Doorly prepares the hackamatack lodging knees in anticipation of deck replacement.
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Restoration Continues
January 19, 2009
The decking process, which will begin soon, will involve V-joint tongue and groove planking.
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Restoration Continues
February 4, 2009
A lovely photo by Gerry Lunn of the sloop's interior looking forward to the bow.
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Restoration Continues
February 4, 2009
Another terrific shot of the sloop's interiors, this time looking aft through the restored galley.
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Restoration Continues
February 13, 2009
Eamonn Doorly preparing the deck scarfing for Whim
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Restoration Continues
February 18, 2009
The main deck, looking forward, with some major work planned for the near future.
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Restoration Continues
February 18, 2009
The main head stay fitting, prior to it being sandblasted, polished and its final installation.
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Restoration Continues
February 18, 2009
A nice shot of the working area of the deck, looking aft.
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Restoration Continues
February 24, 2009
The main deck combing, in place for a test fitting. This is the original combing from the sloop.
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Restoration Continues
February 24, 2009
The original combing also features prominently in this photo of the main deck area looking aft.
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Restoration Continues
April 20, 2009
The bow of the sloop, with the port side ready for stripping. The paint used is topside marine enamel.
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Restoration Continues
April 30, 2009
The starboard side of the bow has been painted in its original colour - Pew Green, named her first owner.
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Restoration Continues
May 8, 2009
Eamonn Doorly busily fairing the topsides on the port side with an epoxy compound.
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Restoration Continues
May 8, 2009
Model Maker Tom Power, with his handsome model of the sloop. It is usually on display in the boat shed.
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Open House
May 15, 2009
Tom Power's models of Whim waiting to greet the public for an open house on May 15 & 16.
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Open House
May 15, 2009
Tom's models, displayed on the staging erected so folks could have a good look at the sloop's interiors.
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Open House
May 15, 2009
Rory Grant, owner of Gannett, sail #1 of the sloops with Jeanne Church of the Maritime Museum.
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Open House
May 15, 2009
Rory and his brother, Dick, inspecting the hull with Museum boatbuilder Eamonn Doorly.
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Open House
May 15, 2009
Rory Grant and Ray Heisler, grandson of the C-Class sloop's builder, Ruben Heisler.
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Open House
May 15, 2009
Butch Heisler, another of Ruben's grandsons, with cousins Donna Covey and Margaret Bayers.
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Open House
May 15, 2009
Michele Stevens, owner of Michele Stevens sail-loft casts an appreciative eye over Whim.
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Open House
May 15, 2009
Michele and Eamonn relax after a busy day of activity in the boatsheds. Thanks to all who attended.
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Moving Along
June 08, 2009
Looking forward, with deck canvas laid, stretched and painted. A canvas lagging compound was used.
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Moving Along
June 08, 2009
Whim's cabin house, which is made of teak, will soon be stripped and refinished by Museum staff.
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Contact webmaster with questions
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Last Updated 16 June, 2009 - RSM.
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