Sampson Boat Co · video

What this video covers

Leo Goolden cuts and assembles the first sawn frames for Tally Ho, a 108-year-old British gaff cutter undergoing a full rebuild in the Pacific Northwest. Each frame is built up from multiple futtocks of Oregon white oak, rough-cut on a ship saw with continuously varying bevels; volunteer Ruben operates a hand-cranked tilt mechanism to match bevel angles called out by Leo as the piece feeds through.6:17 Futtock faces are primed before assembly to block rot at joints, with roofing tar applied over checks and small knots.9:04 Tally Ho's original frames were fastened with iron pins, which contributed to their decay; Leo replaces them with 7/8-inch black locust trennels (tree-nails), driven through holes bored with a ground-down auger bit and locked with cross-grain wedges.10:14 Black locust is chosen for its hardness, rot resistance, and straight grain, which allows clean dowel production using a modified tenon cutter.11:01 A centreline datum is established by measuring to the keel centreline and projecting it upward with plumb bobs to two independent string lines — one fixed to the shed, one to the boat — so frame placement can be checked against the keel regardless of any movement.3:35 Ferrous fastenings in wooden frames accelerate rot; non-ferrous trennels also allow planking fastenings to be drilled anywhere without risk of hitting hidden metal.10:44

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