The forward plank that was pulled to get a look at the frame condition up forward is replaced today. Tony Marques, Tony Macedo and crew are fast and accurate.

To fit the plank a piece of thin plywood (luan) is used to 'spile' a pattern onto the plank stock. Markings transferred onto the plywood when tacked into the hole left by the removed plank are then restored onto the plank stock when the plywood is pulled and laid out flat on the stock. Bevels must also be transferred and the plank is cut to size. It takes some skill to take a flat piece of 3" thick white oak and cut it to the right shape so it fits to compound curves in all directions.

Captains: Sophie Morse

Schooner Ernestina on the ways at Kelley Shipyard.

Tony Marques prepares the end of a plank for installation.

The plank is ready to go in.

Starting the 3" thick white oak plank. There is quite a bend to go for such a thick piece of wood!

The nails are set by striking a maul with a sledge hammer in counterbored holes that are then bunged. Bungs are like plugs except the grain runs in the same way as the surrounding plank (if it were a plug the end grain would be exposed on the surface)

Setting the 3/8" x 6" square galvanized boat nails.

Power planing the installed plank.