Overview

Mudlark, build in 1953, is a modified version of the iconic Meadow Lark, a shallow-draft leeboard sharpie ketch designed by L Francis Herreshoff. But she is about to sink. Ian Scott decides to save her, and to do the work himself. This is the story of why and how he devoted many years to the restoration of Mudlark, and of what he learned in the process about wooden boats, the timbers they are made of, the designers and craftsmen who make and repair them, the tools they use and, not least, about himself. It is also the story of his imaginary conversation with Mudlark's ghosts: the designer, the naval architect who modified the sail plan, the commissioning owner and the builder. All are long dead, but their work lives on in Mudlark.

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9781574092455

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?Into this world of mass production comes a one-off book by a one-off author about a one-off boat?required reading for anyone contemplating doing up an old wooden boat.? -- Pete Greenfield WaterCraft

An outstanding story deserving ongoing recommendation for anyone interested in ketch designs and boat overhauls. Mudlark, built in 1953, is about to sink -- and author Ian Scott decides to save her and spend years restoring the wooden boat. His insights on wooden boat work are invaluable for any wooden boat owner and libraries catering to them. Midwest Book Review MUDLARK is a Herreshoff-designed Meadow Lark, which had been modified by another naval architect and custom built in 1953 to meet the interior and deck design requirements of its first owner. The title s ghosts include L. Francis Herreshoff, the naval architect who modified the boat, the custom builder and its first owner. If you love wooden boats, you ll enjoy this book. The Ensign Scott recounts the 12-year restoration, which was drawn out by what the author describes as intervening opportunities, in Mudlark s Ghosts. The ghosts in this case are the four dead men responsible for the birth of the boat: designer Herreshoff, naval architect Fenwick C. Williams, commissioning owner Peter Horvath and builder U.W. Smith. Scott grapples with how the decisions made by these four men affected the boat s design and consequently the challenges of restoring it. Wonderfully illustrated, the book gives a unique perspective on the restoration process by a sailor whose passion more than makes up for his lack of boatbuilding skills. Sailing

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