9/2/07
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RAM-BUNK-SHUSH - Port Orchard cedar over oak Falcon built in California about 1940 Boat Owner: Guy & Pam Harper Custodian: Jim Buckley
Ram-Bunk-Shush Story The boat is of the Falcon class and was designed by Philip Rhodes back in about 1940. It is of one piece lengths of Port Orford cedar and is 18 feet long. It was given to my neighbor's daughter in 1941 upon her graduation from Highline High School--and for the most part sat unused for about 20 years. My neighbor's son was dragging it down the beach one day in 1962 to a burning pile--where he intended to dispose of the boat and it's rotting deck. I interceded advising him that I would gladly restore the boat--and so I became the new owner and saved it from the bon fire. Several months later, it was ready for the last operation and that was to restore the trunk of the sailboat. That required some technical work and I took it to a shipyard on Lake Union. A week later, I got a call that the boat was done and to pick it up that evening. Good thing I did as the shipyard burned to the ground that night together with a lot of wonderful old wood yachts and all the workmen's cherished tools. And so once again, the Falcon escaped the flames. I had restored the boat several times since and then about three years ago, when it was in Bristol condition, I donated it to a sailing organization. The Falcon was immediately put into their sailing program. Although, I did not revisit the Falcon during the interim, I felt comfortable that now someone else is maintaining it in the standards that I had set. Several weeks ago, I received a call that asked if I wanted the Falcon back! I was interested as to why this operation would want to divest themselves of such a fine vessel. When IÊonce again saw the Ram-Bunk-Shus, I was devastated--as it was a total mess! It lacked maintenance, the decks were torn, metal fittings bent, it had a replacement ill-fitting boom, no jib, no rain cover and so forth. I was really shocked and it was as if I had let an old friend just go to pieces. I called my friend, Jim Buckley, who has sailed this 66 year old boat previously and asked if he would be interested in restoring it once again. He agreed and so he towed the Falcon to PT. And now the fun begins again--for the fifth time. The "reefing of the corking", paint removal,Ênew parts to make, new decks to fit, a new jib and on and on.
Guy Harper
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1999 Wooden boat Fetival
Jim & Pam Getting ready for 2001
hull sanded |
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About 2004 Guy decided to donate Rambunkshush to the Center for Wooden Boats in Seattle where she was put into the rental fleet and listed in the National Register. In just a few years, Guy got a call in July, 2007, asking if he wanted the boat back. It had been neglected and in storage that was now being vacated. How sad.
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Catpain Hugenot's advice about caulking the hull
