Sampson Boat Co · video

What this video covers

Boatbuilder Chris Rees is currently overseeing the restoration of *Letty*, a 1905 Bristol Channel pilot cutter, at a yard in Millbrook, Cornwall.▶ 6:21 The project involves a near-total rebuild of the 53-foot vessel, with the hull work completed by another yard and the current focus on the interior fit-out.▶ 7:20 Rees utilizes Iroko for deck gear and rail caps, noting that while the timber is suitable for these applications, he avoids it for structural hull components due to the risk of hidden rot.▶ 5:27 The project highlights the significant labor required for the fit-out of a 30-tonne displacement yacht compared to smaller vessels.▶ 8:10 Additionally, Rees is planning the restoration and conversion of the 1926 passenger ferry *Northern Belle*—formerly the *Armadillo*—to electric propulsion.▶ 13:19 He emphasizes that aspiring boatbuilders benefit from hands-on experience with older wooden boats and practical time at sea to understand the structural demands of marine environments.▶ 10:38

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