Restoring a Dunkirk Little Ship - Ep17: It Gets So Bad, Steven Seagal Wants The Film Rights

[@dunkirkdowager]

What do you think about the IBTC having to close its doors for the final time? Is it a sad indictment of our society or a necessary loss in the name of progress? Were you ever a student there in happier times? Do you have any fond memories of the place? Let me know below.

[@AndyUK-Corrival]

It’s sad and shocking. The school in Portsmouth closed a year or so back. This one I thought was safe. Very sad indeed.

[@dunkirkdowager]

@AndyUK-Corrival yes I believe that was 2021. Time flies. The guys at Lowestoft prided themselves on being the 'original' IBTC back when it was a centre instead of a college. Dowager's surveyor trained there back in 1974! It brought him fond memories to walk the workshop one more time

[@mrmorrisminor]

What a shame! It’s sad to see all those skills slowly draining away. I admire the work you are doing on Dowager. Having spent last winter on my own wooden boat project, you have my sympathies dealing with epoxy and the winter weather! Keep up the amazing work!

[@jeanbanbois3940]

Just a thought, have you considered using lumber the same thickness of the one you’re replacing ……

[@dunkirkdowager]

@@jeanbanbois3940 I need some thickness to get the final shape. It's never going to be exact if I was to get a PSE on new timber to try to match 90 year old mahogany.

[@SlowlySailing-lc1cs]

Very sorry to hear about the college... regarding everything else, you are not alone in feeling like you're playing Jenga on the deck of a sinking wooden Titanic (wishing the band would play something other than "Nearer, My God to Thee"). all of these old boat projects have their particular problems, with life , money and weather incessantly creating more complications. But from where I sit, as long as you have that place to work on the boat, you are good to go. Moving Dowager would be a huge interruption/chllenge, but not neccesarily show-stopper.

[@DannyWildmann]

When I heard you say the IBTC was closing I took that to mean something totally different! Over here across the pond those letters mean something totally different! Lol. Itty bitty T**ty committee. Yeah I had the reaction that you were doing one of your jokes again. Yeah as a lover of the American version I was heartbroken. Something always works out.

[@dunkirkdowager]

@@DannyWildmann for once I was being as serious as a heart attack. Sad closure of a rare type of college

[@TrapShooter68]

It sounds to me like you need a planer/thicknesser

[@dunkirkdowager]

@@TrapShooter68 definitely come back for the next episode (which I'm currently editing) to see how I fixed it 😀

[@terrybull1043]

Sounds like he needs a therapist lol 😂

[@nigelleyland166]

Sad news indeed for the Collage, Staff and Students. All is not as gloomy as first seems. I have friends who make a living as Blacksmiths, Tinsmiths, Copper smiths, Also building Steam Engines and Boilers. Many having apprentices The old Trades never die out completely some are on an upsurge. The major difference today is how one learns the trade/skills. As for Dowager's immediate future, it may be a good idea to have a word with the Liquidator concerned, they may be able , to offr you a time table or best hope they find a new owner that will let you continue as you are. For sure, until anything is finalised, they will happily let you continue with the current agreement, they want your money! let's hope for the best.

[@paulgoodwin1201]

Do you clean all your timber before glueing with asatone.?

[@dunkirkdowager]

@@paulgoodwin1201 I'd only clean with solvent if there was contamination like linseed oil

[@richmelillo9637]

Yes, you are quite the comic! Order your materials before they close and store in the boat. Oak and Luan are available in the UK if needed. Lots of boatyards have storage/working places..be selective, though I do not see why you have to move..Wonder why they are closing? Look at the epoxy you are using, plus all those electic tools and you will discover your answer. Rarely will you find old ways of traditional boat building anymore.

[@dunkirkdowager]

@@richmelillo9637 fibreglass boats are king at the marinas. I understand the amount of maintenance an old wooden boat needs will put many off ever considering owning one. A lot of wonderful old boats will be scrapped on the back of this I'm afraid

[@richmelillo9637]

@@dunkirkdowager Yes, that is true. But today's way of life allows little time to maintain a wooden craft...however, it is only the lack of time..not the lost love of a wooden boat is. Cheers!!

[@AverageJoe2020]

I am lost for words.

[@janlok3730]

Is there in England no daylight?

[@dunkirkdowager]

@@janlok3730 we get an annual allowance of 4 days in July. We call it 'summer'

[@paulgoodwin1201]

We are looking at the Next generation of boat builders not Being able to find sumwear to learn this dieing art. And it's a real shame