ARANA

Arana came to Underwood’s in 2024 for her 90th birthday. She was built in Sydney by Brown Brothers of Balmain in 1934; typical of 20th century Australian boat building, she features hardwood planking below the waterline with oregon topsides; all roved to steam bent spotted gum ribs. Her decks are planked with tongue and groove oregon, originally canvas sheathed, now overlaid with plywood and sheathed in fibreglass.

After 90 years she was showing her age. Her hull, although generally sound, had a substantial leak above the waterline, her seams were in need of attention, and her paintwork had built up over many years.

Arana spent a bit over two months in the shed at Underwood’s. First her hull was wooded (taken back to bare timber) from gunwale to keel. Once bare we could then see the extent of the work required. Her hull was in remarkably original condition, with just one section of planking replaced. We then made an assessment and decided to replace a few more sections of planking, plus plenty of smaller repairs where there was worm damage.

All seams below the waterline were raked of their old putty, caulked where necessary, and re-payed with polysulfide seam compound. The largest seams around the turn of the bilge were splined with cedar.

Above the waterline spots of rot were repaired in her gunwale, planking, sheer clamp, etc. A new mast step was built. Every exterior surface was refinished, including decks and cabinside varnish. The aft end of the cabin and cabinsides were found to be rotten, so were completely removed and built anew. A couple of hundred hull fastenings were replaced with new copper nails and roves. Her engine cooling system was overhauled, her standing rigging was replaced, a new furler and headsail were fitted and she was re-wired; electric navigation and cabin lights being fitted for the first time in many years.

After two and a half months of work Arana was relaunched and is now enjoying the waters of Moreton Bay.