Latest restoration project

jode hillman

jode hillman

Well-known member
I am trying to save our gunning history of NJ one boat at a time. I try to be selective in what projects I undertake. Are they historical? Are they salvageable? And most importantly, do they speak to me?

This boat fits all three criteria. I plan to use this to teach my son about boat work. 11 feet x4 feet rowing Sneakbox ( by Cleave Dabler built, circa 1910-1920s. Stone harbor NJ) All cedar plank, white oak ribbed.

My course of action involves making it seaworthy, yet retaining the maximum amount of history and original character. Of which this boat has tons. Stay tuned for details!

I mentioned to my wife how many boats I currently have in the yard (9). She replied

You hide them well, so its ok with me

What a great wife

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Jode that is a beautiful boat. I?m sure you will do it justice. You do pick great boats to work on and the outcome is predictably great.
 
Jode -

Very graceful lines and simplicity in that vessel. Not easy to accomplish. Trade marks of a Master.

Easy to see that it could be well used in different conditions and situations. A waterfowl hunting machine with great history and presence. It does indeed have a voice worth listening to.

I look forward to your progress reports, as I know you will do it justice and get it back out where it belongs.

That is a wonderful remark by your very astute wife, about you hiding them well... Made me smile.


Best regards
Vince
 
tod osier said:
Jode that is a beautiful boat. I?m sure you will do it justice. You do pick great boats to work on and the outcome is predictably great.
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Thanks for the vote of confidence. This one needs a good amount of interior work, but there no deadlines. So I can take my time and enjoy it
 
Vince Pagliaroli said:
Jode -

Very graceful lines and simplicity in that vessel. Not easy to accomplish. Trade marks of a Master.

Easy to see that it could be well used in different conditions and situations. A waterfowl hunting machine with great history and presence. It does indeed have a voice worth listening to.

I look forward to your progress reports, as I know you will do it justice and get it back out where it belongs.

That is a wonderful remark by your very astute wife, about you hiding them well... Made me smile.


Best regards
Vince
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I agree, just as pretty a box as you will find. Daebler carved decoys too, but they are not much to look at. I guess that shows where his interests lay.

I?ll keep the updates coming as we progress.
 
Jode, that doesn't portend well. Decoy carver's as a group tend to fret over as little as an 1/8 discrepancy in symmetry of their work; hopefully he didn't carry that over to his boat building attitude.
 
RLLigman said:
Jode, that doesn't portend well. Decoy carver's as a group tend to fret over as little as an 1/8 discrepancy in symmetry of their work; hopefully he didn't carry that over to his boat building attitude.
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Definitely true today but Not much so in the old days...... no calipers or fancy paint. Decoys were a tool to him plain and simple. Like a shovel. He was a boatbuilder by profession, and his craft were his pride and joy.
 

Mr. Dabler's decoys appear to be more sturdy, than stylish. Untouched by today's decoy competition standards, and mentality.

NJ decoys, and sneakboxes have always drawn my attention. There is something about them that just gets to the core of waterfowling.

Can't put it into words. It's just There.


There is a old William "Bill" Brown, Black Duck decoy in my care that Mr. Bill Cordrey ID'd for me many years ago at Westlake.

Was a "unknown" in the Bourne auction catalog where I got it.

When I take it down off the shelf, can't keep my eyes and hands off it. The purity is just There.


Same goes for that sneakbox ya got there Jode.


Best regards
Vince
 
Good morning, Jode~


Here's a coincidence....that vessel speaks to me, too!


I'm glad it found its way into your capable hands - and look forward to your thoughtful restoration.


All the best,


SJS

 
RLLigman said:
So, how do you pick a starting point for a restoration project? Is it the same from boat to boat?
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I?m not sure I fully understand the question, but if your asking how I approach a boat of this vintage, I?ll try to explain.

What got me into decoys, and largely into boat restoration is the history of the subject. The fact that given the same conditions and environments, the old ways are probably just as, if not more relevant that the latest and greatest.

So in finding a craft to restore, I want something that was at the zenith of it design during the heyday of waterfowl gunning.


Then given its grace and age, make that craft useable without destroying its history and patina.
That?s what I did with my last rail skiff, and the approach I will take with this sneakbox.
If the planking can take it ( not to brittle or dry) I will recaulk the bottom and deck the old way. Then go with some type of waterproofing.
However before I do that, old cobbled together deck beams and framing need to be replaced.

If the bottom is to far gone to caulk, I will resort to glassing the bottom for watertightness, then caulk and seal the deck.

I don?t want to erase what this boat is.to glass fill and paint all of it would be a travesty in my opinion.
 
Vince Pagliaroli said:
Mr. Dabler's decoys appear to be more sturdy, than stylish. Untouched by today's decoy competition standards, and mentality.

NJ decoys, and sneakboxes have always drawn my attention. There is something about them that just gets to the core of waterfowling.

Can't put it into words. It's just There.


There is a old William "Bill" Brown, Black Duck decoy in my care that Mr. Bill Cordrey ID'd for me many years ago at Westlake.

Was a "unknown" in the Bourne auction catalog where I got it.

When I take it down off the shelf, can't keep my eyes and hands off it. The purity is just There.


Same goes for that sneakbox ya got there Jode.


Best regards


Vince
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That?s a cool story Vince. Bill brown made a nice serviceable decoy. I might have to carve a rig of Barnegat birds to go on the deck of this box! I plan to get rid of the added motor board. As well as make a proper set of oats for propulsion.
 
Steve Sanford said:
Good morning, Jode~


Here's a coincidence....that vessel speaks to me, too!


I'm glad it found its way into your capable hands - and look forward to your thoughtful restoration.


All the best,


SJS
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I thought your eye would appreciate it. The rounded cockpit is something not seen on others NJ craft. And to have to original hatch cover is also a rarity. I appreciate the vote of confidence. This one will definitely be a challenge and a good learning experience. I?m not sure it will be ready for this years show, but I?d love if it was.

Thanks.
 
Good morning, Jode~


re your restoration plans: Did Jersey gunning vessels ever protect their decks (and hatches) with canvas ? I've seen this on numerous Great South Bay Scooters and other LI gunning boats (and many other larger craft). It makes sense that the hull caulking could be kept moist enough to not dry out when out of the water, but decks and hatches are always exposed to the baking sun - and the fresh rain water - so painted canvas did the job.


All the best,


SJS

 
Steve Sanford said:
Good morning, Jode~


re your restoration plans: Did Jersey gunning vessels ever protect their decks (and hatches) with canvas ? I've seen this on numerous Great South Bay Scooters and other LI gunning boats (and many other larger craft). It makes sense that the hull caulking could be kept moist enough to not dry out when out of the water, but decks and hatches are always exposed to the baking sun - and the fresh rain water - so painted canvas did the job.


All the best,


SJS
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Steve, you sure would think they did. But I have never seen a NJ sneakbox of vintage that had canvas deck coverings. Perhaps it?s my age, and any that had it were restored or glasses before my time. But even in vintage photos, they always spotted cotton and pitch caulking. And nothing else but paint.
 
Thanks, Jode, that was an informative response. I was inquiring regarding where on a boat do you choose as a start point; same place hull-to-hull or do you pick the spot that requires the most effort as a start point? I carve a bird in the same sequence unless I have an issue I need to address.
 
RLLigman said:
Thanks, Jode, that was an informative response. I was inquiring regarding where on a boat do you choose as a start point; same place hull-to-hull or do you pick the spot that requires the most effort as a start point? I carve a bird in the same sequence unless I have an issue I need to address.
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Now I understand. I like you start decoys in the same sequence. However for boats it?s generally whatever needs the most attention.

Almost all need some sort of framing work done. Either deck supports or actual hull framing. So decks need removal first, to access interior. At that point it?s removal of fastening, then replace frame members. After that you can proceed to deck and hill boards replacement. Final steps are watertightness, ie caulking or fill, and lastly if needed glass and paint.
 
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