The Papendick Family's restoration of our James Silver "Western Isles" Motor Sailer "Chance"

Chance being loaded on to transport for her trip home toEssex

[@royhindmarsh4087]

that looks like fire wood.coming from newzaeland

[@lifesagamblesoletstakeachance]

everyone as the right to their option, I have been doing my job for the best part of half a century. This boat is not the worse I have come across in this time, seeing as it is going to be my own retirement boat I will take my time doing her and get her back in the water.

[@graemeforssberg3986]

Looking forward to seeing the completed refit. Lots of work ahead for someone.

[@lifesagamblesoletstakeachance]

That someone is me with some help from a few friends

[@AndyUK-Corrival]

Best of luck guys, I rebuilt a 1937 48’ Scottish Herring Ringnetter back in the 80’s and 90’s. You will make many friends and have good times as well as doubts but keep the faith. Silver’s have good bones and she will be beautiful again one day. Andy UK

[@lifesagamblesoletstakeachance]

Hi Andy, We have a long way to go with our restoration, about 4 years, and counting. The first job we have to do is sort out the starboard side aft and side decks the starboard beam shelf and the carlin and the main aft deck beams which have been cut off and not attached to the beam shelf.

[@jeffs9530]

How thrilling! I'm very excited for you guys. Trisha you are adorable! And Simon is fulfilling his life long dream. Michael, take this time to learn all you can from Simon. His craft is rare and needs to be passed down the generations. As for Chance being moved I was really nervous, "shattered and terrified" there were no spreader bars or T bars to keep the straps from pinching the boat as this has happen to her in the passed. But I am guessing because of the work that was done to make her lighter it was not a risk. Michael is correct Chance is not safe yet. You have to get her moved and craned again to get her lifted off the trailer and put in place at the new location. The looks you must have got when people saw Chance going down the road. It must have been something to see. We are world apart but I feel like I am there with you all.

[@lifesagamblesoletstakeachance]

Hi Jeff, Thank you for your kind words about my family, The crane operator had very long slings and there was no pinching of the hull, so the pressure was taken over a large area and not just in one place . As a boat builder and also lifting boats out of the water using cranes as well as boat hoists I have in the past moved and lifted The lifting when well and Chance did not get damaged in the lift. Chance was lifted off at my end using a boat hoist with wide slings again and in now laid up well with plenty of support around the hull and in more places than before and this time with her bow up and not down as it was in Woodplumpton . This weekend was a very wet weekend , however, this coming week should be dried and I will be able to take some video of her in her new home and tell people what we plan to do over the coming months.

[@rogergaspar709]

Congratulations. Good seeing her on the move. Good choice of Peter Downs for the transport. I used Peter Downs - father and son for 25 years and he has the equipment and skills to look after boats, whatever their codition. It is good also that the crane used brothers rather than spreaders. Whilst we couldn't actually see the height it was obvious that there was very little, in any pinching because the brothers were lengthy. How about a video of Chance at the new home?

[@lifesagamblesoletstakeachance]

Hi Roger, I have known Peter and his sons for over 30 years and I have only every use him as his gives the best service I have known and he and his sons say they are going to be at a place at a time they have always been on time and always helpful The crane company I used in Woodplumpton was known to the person at that end as always doing the correct lift and they did it with a very professional manner I can not fault either company and would always use both again.

[@craftendra]

Good luck with it and lots of energy to do all the work 😊

[@lifesagamblesoletstakeachance]

Chance is now down at Walton on the Naze in Essex, Which is close to my small boatyard and workshop and home. During the week I work on my clients yachts and motorboats and at the weekends I work on Chance and my other smaller project yacht Mai Star II which is a 1939 22' classic east coast Gaff Cutter which I am restoring has well. Mai Star II is in my yard so when I have a few moments spare do work on her after work in the evening or between jobs on the clients boats. So I have my hands full and when they have time my family help me with work on both boats.

[@Seaswirl1850Project]

AKA Jeff S

[@jonathanevans9257]

the boat could easily have been crushed by the straps as there are no spreaders as happened to a friend of mine's boat sadly.

[@lifesagamblesoletstakeachance]

Hi Jonathan, The slings and chains were long enough not to do any damage to the hull. Also the position of the slings were in positions where the frames of the hull were. Do you think that I would let them lift the boat if they were going to do any damage to my boat. Also I have been a boat builder of wooden craft for over 47 years and have a great deal of experience lifting craft out using slings and hauled out craft up slipways and know where to place slings or cradles to ensure the hull does not get damage in the process of lifting and loading the boats on to transport. Have no fear the lift when well and Chance came to no harm either from lifting on or off the transport at either end of her trip from Woodplumpton to Walton on the Naze,

[@claudehopper9813]

No offense , but that looks like a real money pit . Crane and lowboy Boat Movers aren't cheap . Best'o luck Skipper !

[@lifesagamblesoletstakeachance]

Chance is going to be a money pit, however, tell me a boat that is not a money pit, however, the end result is going to be worth it to me and my family.

[@johnmartin2079]

I don't want to sound like an asshole but that boat needs 5gal petrol and a pack of matches.

[@lifesagamblesoletstakeachance]

Everyone as the right to their option, It is just as well they are in the minority. Otherwise old boats like Chance would ever be saved.