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.
During slipping in 2024 the freshwater cooling system for the engine was upgraded, allowing the engine to run cooler. While on the slip we found rot in the floor under the water tanks. The only way to replace the floor was to remove the tanks in pieces. We now have 2 new stainless steel tanks which were designed to fit down the aft hatch. Some further work is required on the hull fixings which will be performed at the next slipping.
We again attended the RMYC Timber Boat Festival in 2024 and with the upgraded cooling system we averaged over 8 knots without the engine overheating. We are happy with how she performed in a 1+m swell however the hull will need to be repaired before we tackle a longer journey. See video snippet of our return journey.
The original fridge was recommissioned early in 2025 and works like a charm. We still need to install new shelves and replace the door seals. Also in 2025 the gypsy was refurbished by the Sydney Heritage Fleet . . thankyou! We have now finished the cover for the rope lockers and replaced some of the velcro on the earlier covers due to deterioration.
In September 2025 we took Martindale to be slipped at RMYC Newport. The first week was spent working above the waterline, before Martindale spent 2 weeks on the slip for anti-fouling, renailing aft and other work below the waterline. Another week back in the water for some more repairs before we returned to our mooring.
Some of the improvements still to be completed are: cooking facilities in the galley, finalising the restoration of the fridge, obtaining some more lead for ballast, installing the new water tanks, a larger table on the deck. If you would like to help with any improvements please contact us.
Repairs, maintenance and improvements continue.