Since acquisition there have been extensive changes to the fabric of LV 50, the former light vessel turned house yacht
Images over the years confirm adjustments above and below decks with gradually altered appearance focussed on providing ever more commodious and suitable accommodation for the benefit of members.
Together with these changes the up keep of hull, decks, stem, stern and mast have required maintenance repair and regular painting
In recent years a series of larger preservation and restoration projects have focussed on
This was undertaken in 2014 as part of an initial survey paid for by Lottery fund to allow RNYC to develop a formal restoration bid.
Sadly, the bid subsequently failed. The survey however identified major structural areas threatening the vessel needing “urgent” repair. It allowed remedial work to the starboard side planking as shown. Note the thickness and scale of the planking and skill in creating the portholes.
The survey undertaken in 2012 identified extensive rot in the stem post which structurally ties the port and starboard hull together. The repair of this essential structural member undertaken in 2016 is documented in the enclosed file. It was possible to remove the rotten member in situ to just above the water line, template the defect and fabricate a replacement member from English oak in the workshop. Once ready this was craned into position then bolted to the supporting wooden and wrought iron knees on the foredeck and in the forepeak. Fortunately, it was possible to salvage the cheeks supporting the hawsepipes. The completed work can readily be seen today.
- Re-establishing access to the bilges and restoring adequate drainage of seeped water
Traditionally there had been a series of access hatches to the bilges from the forepeak, saloon, stair cupboard and bar area. Following the carpeting of the bar and saloon access to the bilges was possible only through the cupboard and forepeak, significantly limiting ability to inspect the bilge timbers and the residual tanks and structures under the decks. In 2018 the covered over hatch ways were identified, carpet supports inserted and the hatchways re-established. The draining gutter on the port side of the keelson was cleared of debris and using the rope wick free flow of water re-established to the most dependant area of the vessel where bilge pumps are sited. An extensive underdeck archaeological survey was then undertaken
Water ingress from the foredeck into the forepeak and saloon have has long plagued H Y Tyne. A number of attempts at rectifying the problem have over the years been tried all to no avail. In 2020 the decision to strip back all of the coverings and attempt a radical renewal of calking and damaged timbers was undertaken. The enclosed images outline the scale of the work undertaken and the extent of measures to seal the deck from the weather.
The original Heritage lottery survey had identified the Stern and whale back as another critical area. An ambitious bid was developed for this work to be undertaken by Nielsons the shipwrights who had undertaken the initial survey aa well as the hull and stem repair. Covid intervened leaving the RNYC to fall back on its own resources to address the issues. In 2021 Ken Murray developed an evolving strategy and was employed as a contractor to refurbish and weather proof the inside of the whale back and then tackle the rotten planking, window frames and cladding. The images record the progress of the repair