Given how light it is, and is somewhat wide beam compared to the hull’s depth, tipping the 1951 18’ Penn Yan Traveler borders on being trivial. But over she is.
The very heavy copper or bronze keel that runs most of her length is unique in our experience, especially among Penn Yan boats we have preserved.
Happily, save for a 10-inch section at its aft end, the wooden keel lying beneath is in nearly as new condition.
We will remove the entire wood keel and keelson, and the stem as well. All components are solid and rot-free, but the fasteners have loosened and, since they are original, have most likely lost much of their tensile strength by now.
It is now a day later and we have released the stainless splash rail trim and the splash rails themselves. For the first time in our experience, nary the tiniest bit of rot is evident on the rails’ hull-mating-face or the hull planking beneath.
Stripping – always fun – with Jamestown Distributors’ Circa Heavy Body Paint and Varnish Remover ( ) has now commenced. Once again we’ve uncovered zero rot, damage or failed fasteners … but time will tell here.