Repair and Maintenance of a Drascombe Lugger


Removing the Galvanised Sheet Horse (page 2 of 3)

Having decided to replace the old pole, this page describes a method of removal prior to replacement.

Contents

Step 1 Removal of the old Sheet Horse
Step by Step Instructions

Step 1 Removal of the old Sheet Horse

At first sight it looks impossible to remove the existing pole without cutting it through with a hacksaw. However it is possible to remove the pole by exerting pressure on the sides of the boat until one end of the pole can be removed from the hole in the moulding. After removal of the stainless steel fixing screws, the pole is loose in the GRP mouldings that support it and it can be moved from side to side. Making use of the flexibility of the sides of the boat it is possible to push the opposite sides (must use the gunwales for this - not the GRP) apart sufficiently to remove the bar. It is almost possible but not quite to do this by hand.

The reason for using this technique rather than using a hacksaw is that it is also used for fitting the replacement. If it works removing the old pole then it will also work in fitting the replacement.

GREAT CARE MUST BE TAKEN IN ADOPTING THIS METHOD AS TOO MUCH PRESSURE CAN CRACK THE LAMINATE OF THE HULL AND DECKING WHICH WOULD SERIOUSLY DAMAGE THE BOAT!!

This method is only viable if the attachment of the pole matches the following conditions:

Step by Step Instructions

You will need:

Remove the stainless steel self tapping screws which prevent movement of the sheet horse pole within the support mouldings. Push the pole until one end is abutting against the inside of the hull moulding and can be pushed no further.

Sketches showing setup for extraction of sheet horse pole Sketches showing the removal of the Sheet Horse pole on a Mk 2 Lugger

The stainless steel retaining screws have been removed allowing the pole to be pushed across to the left. This has minimised the clearance required to remove the pole at the opposite (right hand) end. The car jack will only need to push the sides of the boat out by a maximum of 0.5" to facilitate extraction of the pole.

(Click picture for larger view)

Photograph showing setup for extraction of sheet horse pole Photograph showing the removal of the Sheet Horse pole from the Mk. 2 Lugger Sospiri

In this picture the jack (black) is positioned against the port gunwale and is exerting pressure via a softwood plank on the starboard gunwale. The pole has just been successfully extracted and is lying on the deck.

(Click picture for larger view)

Photograph of the car jack used to extract the sheet horse pole Photograph showing the setup of the car jack in the removal of the pole.

This photograph shows the detailed set-up of the car jack against the port gunwale. Note the softwood wedge between the jack and the gunwale which helps to align the thrust of the jack parallel with that of the sheet horse.

(Click picture for larger view)

Photograph of one end of the old sheet horse pole Photograph showing the amount of 'stretching' of the sides of the boat required to extract the pole

This picture was taken after extraction of the pole to show the extent of stretching of the boat sides to extract the pole. One end of the pole (not shown) is within the starboard moulding, pushed against the side of the hull. The other end of the pole (shown here) is resting alongside the port moulding which supported it and the red line shows the extent to which the boat sides had to be pushed outwards to extract the pole

(Click picture for larger view)



Next, lay the car jack on its side and in its retracted position above the pole and pad the bottom of it with a softwood wedge against the (port) gunwale. Cut the square softwood lath so that when it is placed above the sheet horse it abuts the (starboard) gunwale at the far end (cut this end at an angle so that it fits snugly and evenly against the gunwale). Extend the jack until it is pushing against the softwood lath. Gently increase the pressure by hand, turning the extension axle on the jack (0.5" maximum extension is all that's required - any more risks damage to the boat), until the end of the underlying pole can be pushed clear of the (port) retaining moulding and can be lifted upwards from its retaining socket. Retract the jack and remove it and the wood.

continued

[Back to page 1, General Notes] [Forward to page 3, Fitting a Replacement]