Visiting the Blue Dolphin - 1962 Beals Brothers Lobster boat restoration
24 April 2024 · 11 min · 80K views · Portsmouth, Rhode Island
What this video covers
The 45-foot lobster boat *Blue Dolphin*, located in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, is undergoing a comprehensive structural restoration to convert the vessel into a gentleman’s yacht.Watch Shipwrights have replaced the keel and installed new floor timbers across the centerline to increase hull rigidity.0:44 The restoration utilizes plastic framing in place of traditional wood, particularly around tight bends where wooden frames are prone to cracking.2:05 These plastic frames provide superior fastener holding power, do not conduct electricity, and resist mineral buildup.3:10 To eliminate traditional butt blocks, the crew is scarfing all hull planks, a process that significantly increases the overall stiffness of the hull.7:57 When installing these scarf joints, the team uses custom-made brackets and wedges to clamp the pieces in place while the glue cures, later planing the joints flush with the surrounding planking.6:06 Future plans for the vessel include replacing the transom and installing a settee and potentially a flybridge.10:12
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