23 Jul 2012

1924 William Fife schooner completes three-year restoration

By Lulu Trask

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This weekend was a big one for Rockport Marine, a shipyard based in Maine, USA. Three years ago the American shipyard welcomed William Fife’s 1924 schooner to its facility, where it was to undergo an extensive three-year restoration after purchase by her owner.

On Saturday, the 25.3m sailing yacht Adventuress was returned to the waters of Rockport Harbor amid hundreds of onlookers. A video of Adventuress' restoration can be viewed at the bottom of this article.

Though this was not Adventuress’ first restoration, it was certainly one of her bigger ones. “She’s been restored several times. Since 1924 she’s had very extensive work done on her, but her basic structure, the whole planking and framing, those were all original when we received this boat,” a spokesperson from Rockport Marine told SuperyachtNews.com.



Her restoration work included the replacement of her decks, decks that were original upon her arrival in Maine. However, with the removal of the deck, the restoration team discovered rot in the oak structures, and her owner then commissioned a full restoration.

She retained her original teak planking above the waterline, but her deteriorated backbone was completely replaced, as were the double-sawn frames which dovetailed into the keel. Her steel floors which had seen some corrosion were replaced with custom fabricated bronze floors which should, according to the shipyard, last for hundreds of years.

Having completed her restoration, Adventuress has been graced with all new deckhouses and furniture crafted from teak, and a raised panel interior crafted from English walnut features comprises her Martha Coolidge-styled interior.



After many years of sailing as a ketch, the 25.3m sailing yacht has returned to the sea rigged once again as a schooner. Her masts are laminated Sitka spruce, with custom bronze mast hardware fabricated by Joel Cox. Thousands of images of traditional boats and museum archives were all part of Ian Bruce’s carpentry process, one taken to extreme lengths to ensure a successful and beautiful restoration was achieved.

The restored Adventuress is going to be used privately by her owner, and will be viewable at many upcoming events, including the Newport International Boat Show in mid-September.



Related Links

Rockport Marine Website

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