Restorations
Vision - a Robert Clark designed sloop
cameron boat builders undertakes restorations, refits and repair work on wooden boats of both traditional and modern construction. With access to yard services and a reliable network of mechanical, electrical and rigging specialists through Sea Lake Marine [more>>] a full project managed service can be offered to wooden boat owners.
A major project to repair and refit ‘Vision’, a 12.2m (40’) Robert Clark sloop is underway at present. ‘Vision’, which was built in 1971 by Earlswood Marine Developments to Lloyds 100A1 standard, is a typical Robert Clark design: A fantastic shape with an elegant sheer and overhangs coupled to an underwater profile that makes her well balanced, fast to windward and comfortable in a seaway.
The hull is strip-planked in iroko on an iroko backbone and laminated ash frames. The deck is teak over a ply sub-deck and, as is all too common with this type of deck construction, water has penetrated causing serious degradation of the ply. Decay has crept into some deck beams, the tops of some frames as well as sections of the beam shelf and sheer plank. (Those micro-organisms strike again!!)
As the deck must be replaced entirely this is an ideal opportunity to improve aspects of the boat’s construction, to modify the cockpit layout and to update systems including sail management and steering mechanisms.
To avoid water penetrating the deck structure in the future the ply will not be taken to the edge of the deck as before. Instead a new ply sub-deck will be rebated into a solid iroko covering board. The ply will be sheathed with epoxy and glass cloth before the deck is re-laid. The heavy toe rail seen in the photo tended to trap water and will be replaced by a low taff rail that should improve the appearance of the sheer line.
The cockpit layout is being revised to give more space for crew and to enable wheel steering to be re-instated. A new hatch in the cockpit sole will give better access to the cockpit drain seacocks, the autopilot actuator ram/steering cables and somewhere to stow the kedge anchor. New cockpit lockers will go in and a gas locker that meets current safety guidelines be fitted in the lazarette. A new coaming will improve comfort and appearance.
All in all a big job, but the boat is well worth doing.
Vision specification
LOA: 12.2 m (40’) LWL: 9m (28’7”) Beam: 2.9m (9’6”).Draft: 1.95m (6’5”) Displacement: 8 ½ ton approx. Berths: 5
Sail area: 63m2 (680 ft2) Designer: Robert Clark
