Garveys of NJ... Now with pics

Jay,
Attached some pictures I took near my home today. None show the hulls in great detail, but I think you will see that each has a personality as unique as the craftsman that put her together.... like decoys. First picture... the "chicken breast" design is presently on craigs list in NJ and has been for some time. I provided it as it looks similar in design to your photo. The second is a David Clark all fiberglass model. These, like Tim's picture in an earlier post of his Chincoteague Scow, each have their own hull design as well. The third photo is of a 30'+ inboard. I believe she is glass over plywood like mine. Last photo is mine. She has a unique bow to hull design, which seems to keep the ride a bit drier... if there is such a term dare used on these boats. I believe that all could be characterized as "nearly flat bottomed." They glide easily through quite shallow water, but are very much effected by the wind. Good luck with the restoration!! Scott


View attachment Bow Design 1.jpgView attachment Bow Design 2.jpgView attachment Bow Design 3.jpgView attachment Bow Design 5.jpg
 
Jay~

I hope you can find a way to post some photos of your new vessel. The one you did post sure is a beauty!

Here are a couple of thoughts - with reference to your numbers:

1) Garveys are an old type (see Howard Chappelle's "American Small Sailing Craft") - and have many subtle differences among makers and purposes. The 42" keel you mention sounds to me like a skeg - a small "fin" toward the aft end of the bottom to help the boat track and steer. It is actually a good practice to not cover these with 'glass because they are subject to lots of wear, especially in the thin waters of Jersey bays.

Glass sheathing of plank-built boats is NOT a marriage made in Heaven. As the planks swell and shrink, they will pull away from the 'glass. Epoxy will last longer than polyester resin but neither will give long-lasting results - unless you NEVER get any water inside the boat. (Glassing small, covered craft like Sneakboxes and Scooters can work because they enclose/surround the hull and decks AND they can avoid lots of water inside.)

2) Adding longitudinals (keel, strakes) outside will certainly help protect the bottom - and they will also help the boat a track a bit better and will stiffen the hull. They should go on over the 'glass, bedded in 3M 5200 or the like, and fastened with machine screws or carriage bolts - with nuts and washers. I look for clear pieces of treated decking for jobs like this - in which case I would fasten with stainless.

3) The center bench (aka thwart seat) probably is necessary for the structural integrity of the hull. The sides will probably flex a lot without it AND the hull will twist (rack) along its length. Open hulls like Whalers and Carolina Skiffs provide this lateral structure beneath their floors.

Hope this helps,

SJS
 
Thanks for the pics and info. I will get some pictures and start a new thread with the rebuild. It's going to be a winter project so I have something to do when I get home from work and it's already dark outside.
 
This is a Long Island garvey in New Jersey. My late friend of 50 years Greg King was a bit of a legend among northeast clammers. Greg started clamming in Huntington LI, late fifties, moved to the south shore early sixties. When Long Island clams died out Greg moved to Rhode Island. On Gregs first day in Rhode Island he caught over a hundred bushels. He made three trips to the launching ramp to off load. called his wife Rose from a payphone to come down to babysit his clams. The locals were furious, Greg was tripling the best diggers. When Rhode Island was petering out Greg was using 120 feet of carbon fiber handle to reach clams everyone thought were too deep to work. Besides a couple of stints in Florida in the eighties and early ninties, when the clams were good, Greg spent most of his time clamming in Raritan Bay. This picture was just off the beach on the inside of Sandy Hook. I clammed here with Greg, one day we dug 10 bushels in 3 hrs . Unfortunately Greg passed away a few years ago, I sure do miss him! Rich









 
Rich... Love that bow/hull design. It looks very similar to mine. Quality time is a common vein in so much of what this site is about. Thanks for sharing! Scott
 
Florida garvey in New Jersey. I built this boat a few years ago down here in my Florida boat shop. Our hunting conditions on lake Okeechobee changed, so I built a smaller lower boat with a mud motor on it. This poor boat just sat around under my shed. I finally advertised it on Duckboats and sold it to a guy in New Jersey. Can you tell I grew up on Long Island? Rich







 
Scott, who built your boat? Intricate bow design. It looks like it would be very dry and turn well at higher speeds. Is it glass over ply wood? Looks like a job to loft up... Why the bow spirit, do you use it commercially, clamming or fishing?
 
Rich, My garvey was built by Bill Difilippo of Waretown NJ in 2003. It is a glass over plywood designed boat. I was told he has built others, but I'm not sure of their sizes or details. He is a true craftsman and I wish I knew a fraction of what he does about boat building. I chuckle every time I discuss the bow design, as it undoubtedly leads to the drier ride theory. All that have spent time on open garveys know that you are eventually going to get the right sea and/or wind conditions to get soaked. That said, it does appear that the bow/hull design is similar in concept to the spray rails of many glass hulls, or even as the after market add-on option... so it is possibly a bit drier ride on those days that are beyond calm. If it blowing over 10mph... especially when funneled through the Bay out of the North or South, I'm bagging anything I need to keep dry, and dressing appropriately. She does have a keel and tracks well when turning under power, but a good wind will still push her, especially at slower speeds. Not sure what the thought process was with the bowsprit, but I am sure there was one. I do know on the nasty days it can be a bit of a trick to get the chain and anchor hauled and secured... a discussion also on the October "what's on your workbench." I only use it recreationally, but she is a gem of a bay boat and I know Bill has taken her offshore and used her as a dive boat as well... see the extra large folding ladder attached to the transom. Commercial or recreation use would suit her well. Once she is due for paint, I would love to go OD... just a bit warmer during the summer.
 
Florida garvey in New Jersey. I built this boat a few years ago down here in my Florida boat shop. Our hunting conditions on lake Okeechobee changed, so I built a smaller lower boat with a mud motor on it. This poor boat just sat around under my shed. I finally advertised it on Duckboats and sold it to a guy in New Jersey. Can you tell I grew up on Long Island? Rich


I based my rebuild off of your boat, I was drooling over it when it was up for sale. I used your center coffin box idea in my own boat for the gas tank and dry storage. Wish mine had a tunnel in the rear! Gorgeous boat.



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Hey Rich,

I liked that garvey... must be a jersey thing. If I remember right it had a recessed transom. Was that to handle the weight of the engine, ease of getting at a fouled prop?

Just curious.

Phil
 
Phil, the inset transom was mostly to move the center of gravity a couple of feet forward when I was by myself. I had lids on the parts that stuck back on either side of the motor, great decoy storage! Rich
 
Rich's garvey build is definately a unique boat. She's been repowered , 60 hp Merc, and renamed. Shes in the water, docked in lagoon just off the barnegat bay. Cuts through a choppy bay nicely and is incredibly light in weight. I tried to post some pics but couldn't get them to upload
 
Charlie, What's her name now? I'll look for you out on the Bay... would love to see her in person. I'm out of Forked River from my dad's lagoon. No name on mine... but it looks like she is carrying a large white refrigerator in the center. Scott
 
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