The restoration of Martindale began in 2012. Making the deck watertight was the first step in the restoration. The beech decking installed over the teak was removed as it could not be repaired. The deck was fibreglassed to ensure it was watertight. Once this was complete, work could begin below. There was a lot of work to be done.
The saloon was a shell and was rebuilt using most of the original frames, doors and drawers which had been stored offsite.
The 6cyl Gardner that had been in Martindale for many years was damaged and couldn't be repaired. While work was underway aboard Martindale a team was working on restoring a replacement engine.
The new engine was salvaged from a boat that sunk in Berrys Bay early in 2010. The engine, an 8-cyl Gardner, was completely stripped and rebuilt before being installed in 2012. A new propellor shaft was machined and installed a few months later.
Subsequent oil pressure problems led to a complete engine oil change. 80 litres of the recommended oil, non detergent mono grade, was purchased and the oil changed in October 2017. Thankfully that resolved our oil pressure issues.
In December 2014 we were very excited to have Martindale's mizzen mast installed. In early 2015 the boom was installed and supports added for the awning. The awning provided shade over the aft deck, making sailing in the summer months even more pleasant. A few months later Sydney experienced some severe storms and Martindale's new awning filled with water when the boom detached at one end. The awning was removed and new supports crafted and installed before the awning was reinstalled. More photos in the gallery.
During June 2015, work on wiring the main mast with lights was completed and the mast installed at the end of the month. After the masts were installed Martindale was much more stable in the water - no more bobbing around like a big cork!
Martindale was invited by the Wooden Boat Association of NSW to join them at the Classic and Wooden Boat Festival in Darling Harbour in April 2016. In preparation for the festival Martindale was slipped, work was completed at the back of the wheelhouse and carpet was laid in the saloon. The festival was a great opportunity to show off Martindale and we received many positive comments. Unfortunately just as we arrived one of our steering cables broke. Both cables were replaced.
Much of the major restoration work was completed by 2017. Major electrical work including lights, power and inverter was complete. We had a comfortable saloon a usable galley with a sink, cupboards and a donated camping fridge. The engine was running well. We still had water leaks but have since repaired the leak in the stbd stateroom. Keeping up with the painting and varnishing, repairing sections of the hull, fixing water leaks and various other tasks has kept us busy.
Prior to the 2022 Wooden Boat Association Raft-up at Bantry Bay we installed a shower in the bathroom. An ongoing project is making covers for the unprotected woodwork on the wheelhouse and mediterranean steps. The steps cover and the wheelhouse covers are complete, with the rope locker cover well underway. See the gallery for more photos.
We attended the RMYC Timber Boat Festival in November 2023. This was the first time Martindale had been out of Sydney Harbour since being managed by the Trust. In prepartation for the event we added another 2 tonnes of lead and some maintenance was done on the engine and gearbox. The engine coolers and freshwater pump were sent to Brisbane to be refurbished. On the Twin Disc gearbox the oil pump and selector have also been refurbished. Subsequently we have installed a new Morse Controller to make gear selection easier after the refurbishment.
Some of the improvements still to be completed are: cooking facilities in the galley, restoring the original fridge, obtaining some more lead for ballast, a larger table on the deck, improving the winch. If you would like to help with any improvements please contact us.
Repairs, maintenance and improvements continue.