Open for Business

[AVGWarhawk]

Ok, fellas, here I am from the Torsk. 

Currently at the Torsk,

Deck wood replacement is in our hands and being cut to size. Installation in the spring.

Looks like the Torsk will be put in dry dock next year for a hull scraping and repair. Major operation with tugs and such.

As usual, continual cleaning, scraping and restoring various parts. 

[Lance Dean]

Thanks for coming in here to speak for the Torsk.  I've emailed Gil too, so maybe he'll join in.

[AVGWarhawk]

I also emailed Gil in hopes he can get the 1MC diagram for the Batfish crew.

[Mark Sarsfield]

Sounds like the Drum guys have a good idea using sand-blasting and being near water means an ample supply of dredged sand.  You may want to consider that when she's in drydock, instead of countless hours of scraping, chiseling, grinding, etc.

[Lance Dean]

I'm not so sure if you can just use "any" sand in a sandblaster.  I know that with the small one I have, there are different types of sand you can buy depending on what kind of project you are working on.  I never realized it, but sands can differ much in grain size and shape and it matters with a sandblaster.

Now with that said, a large heavy duty sandblaster that uses crazy high PSI may not care at all what you pour into it.  It probably doesn't even stop up easily.  I just don't know.

edit:
If you have to purchase sand, it's really cheap anyway.

[Tom Bowser]

Welcome aboard. What kind of  wood are you using on the deck? The Drum replaced theirs about 12 years ago and used galvanized metal channal, can't keep paint on it and it is rusting every where it was welded, plus the didn't get it at original height so we have a drop down from the original stern deck. Glad to hear you are getting dry docked.
Tom

[AVGWarhawk]

Sounds like the Drum guys have a good idea using sand-blasting and being near water means an ample supply of dredged sand.  You may want to consider that when she's in drydock, instead of countless hours of scraping, chiseling, grinding, etc.

We do not do the work.  She goes to the shipyards that handles this type of work.  They do all the blasting, hull repair.  These guys do it for a living. I't runs about a million from what I understand the cost was in 1986 to do it.

As far as sand blasting, as posted above, sand blaster can not use regular old sand on the beach.  I believe you need to purchase sifted sand that removes large chunks of rock, etc.   

Thankfully we have a team of go getters who are relentless in the pursuit of keeping her up. 

Sparrows Point Shipyard. 

[AVGWarhawk]

Welcome aboard. What kind of  wood are you using on the deck? The Drum replaced theirs about 12 years ago and used galvanized metal channal, can't keep paint on it and it is rusting every where it was welded, plus the didn't get it at original height so we have a drop down from the original stern deck. Glad to hear you are getting dry docked.
Tom

A lot of the deck is still the original teak. Some was replaced by pressure treated wood that only lasts about 5 years.  The Maritime Museum that oversees the boat allowed a purchase of wood that is similar to teak but not at the teak cost. From what we are told, and I do not remember the name of this wood, it will last 100 years untreated.  Our deck is painted black so with luck the deck will still be there after we are long dead and buried.  Currenty the pieces are being cut to size at a offsite workshop by the TVA(Torsk Volunteer Association) crew.  When the weather warms it is topside for some wood installation!     

[Mark Sarsfield]

Let us know what the wood is called.  Sounds like the best avenue for restoring boat decks.

[Lance Dean]

Bamboo?  Mulberry? 

Seriously though, that's gotta be some good wood.

[Tom Bowser]

I hope it is not the same that the BAttleship park bought years ago, I can't remember the name either but the crap is harder than hell, you can't cut it, drill it or nail it and it warps like crazy when exposed to weather and the dust and fibers from it itches like crazy. We have a huge pile of it and don'r know what to do with it.
Tom

[AVGWarhawk]

It is called Ipe

Here are some shots of the crew cutting the wood to length:

http://www.usstorsk.org/weekend/20071209/2007120901.htm

Here is a description of it. Comes from Brazil:

http://www.ipe-wood.com/faq.html

[Travis McLain]

The Batfish has got some wood for her new decking,but i cant remember the name of it. Ours was already pre-cut in the long strips, but now we have to take the old deck off and cut the new ones to fit on.

[Tom Bowser]

Yep same wood, the Park got it in 4x6 planks and gave up on it, I don't know if they are going to try again or not.
Tom

[AVGWarhawk]

I think with the proper tools and good cutting blades it can be done.  I have not heard the guys cutting the pieces say anything of the nature that it is just too dense and hard to work with.