Sharptown Barge – Small Boat Shed Volunteers

Oct 8, 2024 | Barge done. 1920 skiff out. 1925 skiff epoxied.

We moved the Barge back into the Small Boat Shed to go back on exhibit. We moved the 1920 Smith Island skiff out onto our work porch and set the Barge on display in its place.

We moved the 1920 Smith Island skiff out on the porch and got right to work cleaning and scraping.

While Tom got started sanding the 1920 skiff, Jenn, Jim, and I worked penetrating epoxy into rotted sections of the 1925 skiff’s transom, coaming, deck, knees, frames, and bottom planking. When we ran out of Smith’s, we thinned West System epoxy with alcohol to complete the job.

Sep 24, 2024 | Sharptown Barge & 1925 Smith Island Skiff

Sharptown Barge deck, sides, and transom painted. Repainted the cradle. We’ll oil the interior next week.

More scraping and sanding on the 1925 skiff.

Sep 17, 2024 – Sharptown Barge & 1925 Smith Island Skiff

Aug 27-Sep 3, 2024 | Barge & skiff work

The Barge is turned back upright to prepare for deck painting.

Scraping under way on the 1925 Smith Island skiff, inside and out.

Aug 20, 2024 | Barge bottom paint. Skiff bottom plank protection.

We painted the bottom of the Barge. Not anti-fouling bottom paint – just marine paint.

We got started scraping the interior of the 1925 Smith Island skiff. Sam built a platform for us to work on, to prevent damage to the planks.

Aug 7 & 13, 2024 | Barge bottom cleaning, topsides paint. Skiff scraping.

Lots of progress today on the outside of the Sharptown Barge.

Bottom prep first to get it ready for painting next week. Finished the sanding. Then used a blower to get dust and grit out of the seams between the bottom planks.

Then we taped the waterline and rolled and brushed primer onto the transom and sides. Learned correct use of alhohol and tack cloth – wipe in one direction only.

Our first primer effort was with a nap roller, and the paint was not thinned enough. This was a big mistake that would have to be corrected next week before finish coats.

Next week we start work on the 1925 Smith Island Skiff. The previous CBMM conservator said that when it arrived at CBMM decades ago, the paint was in excellent condition. All of the checking and cracking happened over time while it was stored out here on the porch – not even out in the weather.

Took measurements for a platform to set inside and protect the bottom planks while we work.