Is she worth saving? Our first haul out - OSLO Saga ep05

[@Ramenscooter]

She is absolute beauty!

[@mycrazyboatlife]

you guys are a breath of fresh air. All power to you. Jason.

[@oslosaga]

Thank you! ☺️

[@izumiuchida2724]

Wow, this video is heart-wrenching and encouraging at the same time! Good on you for giving it a go, I am sure there will be a lot of challenges but many helping hands will come on the way💕

[@oslosaga]

Thanks so much Izumi! ☺️

[@GaiusSonofGermanicus]

You can rebuild anything, but the question is what you're prepared/capable of putting into the project. Good on you guys for giving it a go, even in light of some pretty huge work ahead of you, but don't forget that if down the track you decide that the project isn't for you, then there's no shame at all in deciding that your time with Oslo Saga has run its course. I hope that time never comes, but if it does, then so be it.

[@oslosaga]

Thanks! That's the attitude we're trying to go with! We've prepared for it to be a really big project and we've got some pretty experienced people who are willing to help us so hopefully we'll see it through. Either way it'll make for a good story.

[@oumenelabrise2155]

Hi, I think that you already have made the decision to go ahead with the restoration and that’s perfectly fine. Ii will make a series of good videos. However you can take some actions to help avoiding bad surprises at a later date. Try to make budget by pricing all the materials ( wood, hardware, adhesive/sealant etc ) you already know will be required to overhaul the boat, even the stuff you may need only later. Do the same for tools you will need. By doing so, you will be able to have a first estimates of what is the opportunity cost, and compare to others options ( like another boat ). Try to be as exhaustive as possible as some consumable ( ie: epoxy, bronze fasteners etc ) can quickly be very expensive when you need lot of them. Then you can start some ‘sample size’ jobs, like changing few planks ( like someone else already commented ), and redoing a small section of fiberglass, fixing some interior rot etc. By multiplying the area of your sample size repair vs the whole area needed rebuilt you will also have an estimation of the time required ( and associated boat yard fees ). Now, it is likely that both cost and time will be higher, or way higher, than these estimations so keep this also in your mind. Working on boat is a great activities, but when the project turn into a choir ( too expensive and/or long ) and sailing turn into a distant goal, think can be hard on the morale. That’s being said good luck with your project and keep posting. Note: You can look at ‘Ship Happens’ videos to get some examples of double diagonal hull repair.

[@oslosaga]

Really appreciate the advice! We need as much of it as we can get at this stage!

[@lincolngrove2808]

That looks like a sweet little wooden boatbuilding apprenticeship you have there. I've added you to my list of boat rescue subscriptions and wish you very good luck with it.

[@oslosaga]

Thank you! Really appreciate the subscription! 🙂

[@skaraborgcraft]

From decades of doing this stuff, I would say strip off all the hardware and build a new hull from scratch, it will be quicker and cheaper. However, it is your time and money and learning experience. Oslo is a nice wee yacht.

[@holisticaustralia]

Well you will get alot of support on here I hope, how exciting! I love watching 👀 boat stuff, I wish you the very best ❤😊

[@oslosaga]

Thank you!

[@MegJones7]

Being in my 60’s and having worked on a sailboat and a cottage my advice would be to step back and truly evaluate what you want in the end. You only have a few projects like this in your lifetimes. This is a very small boat for two people to live on! Also, be comfortable in your everyday living arrangements so you have a good life away from this big, my guess, 6 year project. My other half and I also rescued another 42’ schooner built in 1923 and sailed her from Venezuela to east coast of US. It was magical sailing her, so different from a fibreglass boat. Good luck.

[@juliehoward1380]

Smash it girls! Videos are awesome.

[@MachTuck]

This is going to be interesting to watch! 😊

[@oslosaga]

Thanks, we hope we can make it interesting at least!

[@Pocketfarmer1]

All it takes is time ,money and will. The proportions vary but all three are necessary. Keep up the adventure and happy new year.

[@oslosaga]

Thanks, you too!

[@DairyIsDeadly]

Congratulations on embarking on this monumental effort! I hope you find boat building rewarding. As an aside, your chemistry is absolutely adorable and I love your sense of humor lol! May I ask what your pronouns are?

[@DogsTrossachs]

Wow. Big job. Kudos for doubling down and taking it on, and good luck.

[@oslosaga]

Thank you!!

[@michaelkeyse1799]

So enjoying the episodes with the witticisms and atmosphere of joie de vivre. Deborah and Careys Bays, paradise on earth complemented by history, mystery, old hulks with the bonus of a well earned beer at the fine local pub. The joy I had from an old wooden boat with its challenges of forward planning, resilience, trepidation, fortitude matched with relief and fun! My Father was a Port of Otago Harbourmaster, he composed a booklet listing all the pilots of that Port with brief biographical notes. Your descendent may be listed, you could send to me his name (if you are comfortable with that) and I could respond? May be a copy in the local maritime museum.

[@oslosaga]

Thanks! So glad you’re enjoying the videos! Charlotte’s ancestor was Captain William Thomson, our email is [e-mail] if you do find anything, thanks so much for offering to look into this!

[@JayInOz1]

Subscribed. This is going to be fun! Don't take shortcuts. Do it once and do it properly and you'll have something seaworthy and to be proud of at the end. Good luck. :) Jay.

[@oslosaga]

Thanks so much for subscribing Jay 😊

[@bundsgaard9380]

Greetings from Denmark on the other side of the earth. I love that you are in for the challenge and seem to have the right understanding of having a wooden boat. I have had a wooden boat for 18 years and have spent roughly 4 of them rebuilding it, and I don't think this would have been possible if I didn't love doing boat work. So in my opinion and experience; unless you can afford to pay someone else to do it for you, working with the boat has to be equally interesting for you as sailing in it. I think your boat is a fine project to start with. It's a great way to learn boat work, and the boat is not so large that you risk getting stuck halfway or burning yourself out. It shouldn't ruin you financially either. Divide it into projects, and take them on one at a time, don't work all over the boat at once. Think of the projects you have finished instead of the projects you haven't finished - that will keep you from getting overwhelmed and burn out. You'll need to get the boat under a roof, you can't do it unless it's dry. Of course, there is a risk that you'll find out that the boat is too far gone, once you get deeper into it, but that's ok - sometimes it's just too late, and it's time to give up. You can learn most of what you need to know on the internet, KZbin is of course great, but there are other sites too. Search for selma3 on Google, which should get you my boat's homepage (not commercial). It's a Danish site, but English is available. Maybe you'll find it useful. Don't be afraid to ask other people for advice. You are welcome to ask me, my email and phone number are on the boat homepage.

[@oslosaga]

Thanks so much for taking the time to write such a thoughtful comment, we really appreciate the encouragement and advice. I (Evie) have spent a few month in Denmark (on a couple of occasions) volunteering at Gedser Fuglestation. I really loved Denmark and had planned to move there but ended up in New Zealand instead!

[@svsabreon3334]

Hello from the UK Just came across your channel. I should have gone to bed ages ago, now just binge watched all your videos (curse you 😃). As for Oslo, money will come and go, but memories are forever. It is clear you both love her dearly,. The memories you will gain not only from restoring her, but also eventually sailing her, will be fantastic. I would agree with another suggestion, strip her back to a bare hull, remove all deck fittings, mast, everything, the chances are, given the state of the hull these could all do with reseating anyway. Only then will you see the true extent of the damage. I noticed others have mentioned Wildling Sailing as a point of interest, along with Ship Happens, I would also add Sail Life, Mads has now restored 3 fibreglass boats, but his knowledge is unbelievable, I often use his videos for reference. I suspect if you were to message any of them, they would happily offer advice where practical. I knew nothing about sailing 6 years ago. Take it slow, enjoy every moment, it is a steep learning curve but so worthwhile. I am in the process of learning how to do a refit on a 31 footer with no DIY knowledge to my name. Fair winds & I genuinely look forward to following your adventures.

[@oslosaga]

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a lovely comment. It means a lot to us that you liked our videos so much. As we're just getting into this, sometimes it just seems like this is all a bit silly, but hearing that people really like what we're making is so encouraging. Good luck with your own project!

[@TheTinski07]

Hi from Ireland. I spent 2.5yrs restoring my 110yr old 21footer starting back in 2011. I don't regret it for a minute, but it did cost me a lot of time and a lot of money. I am happy she wasn't a bigger boat because the cost would have been astronomical. I kept a detailed blog at the time which might be of some interest to you. "Teals life in Ireland". Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Everything can be restored whether it makes sense or not 😊

[@oslosaga]

Teal’s a really lovely little boat! Similarly we like that Oslo’s only 21ft, anything bigger would be even more overwhelming. We appreciate that you can see the value of doing something like this even it doesn’t make sense ☺️

[@abcmatt]

Thank you, enjoyed it and totally know how you feel. I rescued a 1927 Timber schooner and it was very hard work. At times I would be sitting beside the keel with my face in my hands wondering what the hell am I doing. Other times I was laughing and joking while working on it. In the end the final product was something I was proud of. Got towed in a sinking, rotted old boat but went out on her own steam, looking gorgeous. The guys who ran the hardstand told me at the end that they had a bet of if I would sell it, burn it or finish it. The odds were against me! I'm don't know the costs in NZ but putting a boat up on the hard in Sydney is very costly and then all the product and sometimes labor help is costly as well. Chances are you won't make your money back or you might even spend a lot and may not finish but you can't put a price on the time you'll share together laughing, arguing , quiet thinking , disappointment and sense of accomplishment when you finish a sections. All things we keep and cherish in memories. Oh and I nowadays phones. Think about getting yourself a cheap little sailing dinghy for when you have spare time to learn and relax. Good luck to you both. I've subbed and will enjoy updates.

[@oslosaga]

Thank you is was really nice to read 😊this is exactly the way we’re approaching this. It’s not about the time and money invested or how quickly we can get out sailing. It’s about learning how to do this together with a boat that feels special to us and hopefully telling an enjoyable story along the way. Sure we could be doing more sensible things with our lives but where’s the fun in that?

[@christianbradshaw7360]

Hi you two don't give up you can do it....go and watch ship happens best of luck

[@kanufaktur3626]

See you Back in the wather in 6 years ... I will be with you ... Great Show 🙃 a lot of learning, laughing for the next time 👍

[@oslosaga]

Haha really hope it doesn’t take 6 years, but if it does it means 6 years worth of videos 🙃

[@Antipodean33]

It seems that the process is more important than actually having a sailable boat to you, which is good because this is a big job. That said it's not insurmountable and it is a small boat which means less costs, time and work so if you do achieve a rebuild and actually get the boat to a sailing condition the feeling of accomplishment will be immense.

[@Cross3dPoisons]

Sounds like youd regret not giving it a shot

[@oslosaga]

Yeah I think we definately would! 🖤🧡

[@sleethmitchell]

it's a nice size and shape. all boats are headaches. but a small boat is only a small headache.

[@oslosaga]

Our thoughts exactly!

[@smegoldad8100]

Looks like an adventure

[@wissbaa]

WOW, going to be a journey that's for sure. Is there any chance of getting the plans for Oslo? who built her? I personally would be keen to see the plans, wicked wicked wee boat!! best regards from up North :) we are down your way next year, we would love to get to have a look at Oslo. Have a look at Samson Boat Co, boat name is "Tally HO" Leo has just finished a full rebuild of Tally HO ..

[@oslosaga]

We've had a look for the plans but haven't had any luck yet. We were told by a previous owner that she was built by Jorgensen's in Picton but we did a bit of digging and apparently 'they built no such boat'. You'd be more than welcome to come and see Oslo if you make it down this way, just get in touch 🙂

[@goatman3828]

Lotta work. Think it through. If you are really going to do all this for a 21' boat, wow. But... if you are going to do it, epoxy seal every plank before you put it on. Perhaps go with just 1 layer, then completely fiberglass the whole hull to keep the wood from ever rotting again. Wood boats are nice. Wood boats are a constant source of money and labor. Try to make sure once a problem is fixed, it stays fixed.

[@oslosaga]

Thanks! We've had a few people suggest that we glass the hull. I think we'd like to keep it as true to it's origional state as we can but having said that if glassing turns out to be the best option when we get stuck in to things then we'll definitely consider it.

[@billradford2128]

I watch several boat restoration videos but select them based on the people. You two look ideal candidates to make an informative (lots of tech challenges) and entertaining (you don't have to be crazy to do this, but it helps) channel. You look exactly like the kind of folk who will sail away, poorer and wiser but infinitely happy in their very own boat home! I am delighted to be your 224th subscriber and only regret that at 77 on a NZ pension I cannot further support you. Kia Kaha!😀

[@oslosaga]

Thanks so much for the kind words! It’s such a KZbin cliché but liking subscribing and commenting goes a long way in supporting us to keep the channel going at this stage so you’re already doing heaps. So glad you’re enjoying the videos ☺️

[@thostr]

Go go go grrrls! And greetings from Norway!

[@oslosaga]

Tusen takk! Olso's first owner was Norwegian, hense the name and design!

[@pompom7235]

Woah guys!! This is a huge project, but knowing common lesbian behaviour, you'll be fit for the fight. Jared and I will be supporting the whole way through!!

[@wissbaa]

21′ Fenwick Williams Alden Knockabout . Was listed at Off Center Harbor in the US. maybe worth a look

[@oslosaga]

Thanks! We’ll check it out! 😊

[@arcitejack]

I hope you pull it off but boy that seems hard.

[@ronaldliesting-p4f]

Go for it, greet from Holland.

[@oslosaga]

Hartelijk dank!!

[@Goldfinger140]

What a cute little thingy! …but short means slow. There are, literally!, a million nice project boats available. Get something in the 30 to 35 foot range. Anyway, good luck!

[@oslosaga]

Hey only I’m allowed to call Charlotte a cute little thingy… but thanks 😁 We’ve been told quite a few times that costs go up exponentially as the size of the boat increases, for a first project we didn’t want to bite of more than we could chew 😊

[@BillO964]

Everything is fixable if you are willing to put in the time and money to do so. The question is...do you want to spend your time and resources repairing a boat,or do you want to spend time and money sailing a boat. Big difference between the two. I am a builder that can sail. My pleasure comes in restoring an old boat. Yea I love to sail too, but I generally restore a boat, sail it awhile, and sell her. The repeat the process. If you just want to sail away, go but a full functioning bost in great condition and do that. 😊

[@oslosaga]

We’re definitely more interested in the restoration side of things right now. We’ve got the opportunity to learn to sail at the local yacht club, so we’ve probably got at least a couple of years to get some experience before we can sail our own boat 😄

[@richardstevenson8442]

Good luck, hope you have access to expertise and money in the bank.

[@oslosaga]

Thanks! We’re really lucky in that we’ve got a few very skilled people around us who are keen to help us 😊

[@jasonfreeborn4452]

Build a new one in modern materials that cannot be eaten by microbes. She's a Colin Archer type, so ideal for the South Island and Southern Ocean which is what you're up against. Cost and reward. Oh dear. You might not have the time or money to complete this.

[@wissbaa]

Hi there. Any idea of the design name, nice small keeler. (Colin Archer)

[@wissbaa]

having zero luck in finding info on her.

[@oslosaga]

Totally agree that she's well suited to the South Island, apparently a previous owner used to do the Foveaux Straight regularly. All we can do is give it a go!

[@oslosaga]

@@wissbaa Thanks so much for looking into this, let us know if you find anything! Hopefully our next video's going to be about Olso's history!

[@wissbaa]

@@oslosaga Awesome :) looking forward to it

[@Sp3ktral22]

Looks a piece of piss to sort out. I hope you have been able to get her sorted by now.

[@justjeff15]

After watching your Dec.22 2024 video if you'd like to see a couple of youtube channels that have recently taken on similar rebuilds of "sinking" vessels may I suggest "wildling sailing" starting at Feb. 17 2023 episode "I made a low offering on a sinking catamaran" and also "Sailing Yaba" episode 1 "we bought a massive sinking schooner (wooden, my addition). In this feed they have just finished what you are wanting to do 256 episodes good luck and god speed on your progress. See also "Reviving Jabiru" (30ish episodes) and "sailing Artha starting at season 1 episode 23(S1 E23)

[@oslosaga]

Thanks for the recommendations! We’ve been following Mark Wildling for a while but we’ve been on the lookout for other similar channels to watch!

[@robertgold2643]

😎😎😎

[@oslosaga]

😁

[@mcgama88]

You should listen to the boat surveyor. And for instance a written plan of goals for 5 years, 10 years forecast. This rotted bit may hit that 10 year refit. Also, where supplies and wood products continue to rise each year, difficult to a near future certainty. Consider, for instance, as along the US great lakes are boatyards with discarded toys of all build types, condition. My I hope simple advice, create a sail plan and seek out that cost, after everything projected to refit spreadsheet. And finally, sail persons bet their lives to the craft as the onset of storm. Will the bilge pump keep up? M.

[@oslosaga]

Thanks for the advice! The boat surveyor said that while he personally wouldn’t choose to do it if it was his boat, he thought it was totally reasonable and achievable if we wanted to go ahead with it. That gave us a lot more confidence to move forward 😊

[@trebledog]

You should talk to Leo!

[@oslosaga]

Omg I wish we could!

[@robertjerome1889]

It's only 21 ft. You can but cheaper GOOD boats for little money..

[@oslosaga]

21ft is enough for us! ☺️

[@bviyachtsales]

Yes she is worth saving, costs be damned - do something special

[@oslosaga]

Our thoughts exactly 😊

[@bviyachtsales]

​@oslosaga did you also build a scamp dinghy sometime ago?

[@oslosaga]

@@bviyachtsales No this is our first project like this!

[@paolomasteryachtpaolodegio5335]

Hard jobs but i think you are very strong girls

[@oslosaga]

Thanks for the encouragement! 😁

[@dcpete3054]

Cool boat big project...just curious? Are you two trans, Im not asking to offend, Thanks

[@oslosaga]

Yep! Actually in this video where I made a point of saying people in the boating community have been consistently really nice and helpful to us, I was kinda referring to the fact that no one’s treated us differently because we’re trans. It’s been really refreshing 😊

[@hellohellohello6847]

Great project, sorry to get personal (I’m all peace for all people) but are any of you trans? Only asking… looking forward to watching. Peace ☮️ 🇬🇧

[@oslosaga]

Yep we both are! 🏳️‍⚧️

That is going to take two years minimum working 2h each on it every day, multiply that with NZ wage + the material cost. Finding another vessel and doing a proper inspection before buying will save 1.5 years of your life. Just replace one plank and measure the effort you put in, then multiply with plank count. A diagonal framed hull pretty much needs new planking all the way if the frames are not rotten. If you want experience, build a dinghy from scratch. Being punk doesn't mean being dumb. Please don't.

[@oslosaga]

Thanks for your comment! Yep we we're thinking around two years as well. Charlotte built a dingy from scratch when she was in high school so this is going to be a bit of a step up but we've got some really good people willing to help us 🙂