The Swift Refit Project:
Aft Deck Completed

By: Tristan Hedley, Pacific Swift Captain
In 2021 and 2022, we took major steps in the largest construction project SALTS has undertaken since the Pacific Grace was completed in 2001 – the replacement of Pacific Swift’s Aft Deck! The work on the aft deck was completed in early 2022, ahead of the much-anticipated start of our 2022 sailing season. Read on for details about the project, and watch nine months of work unfold in the project timelapses!

We’ve known for years that the Swift needed her deck replaced, as deck leaks consistently appeared on rainy days. This process actually started several years ago when we purchased fir and yellow cedar lumber. With boat building, using dry wood is important, but for timber of this size that can take several years! So we aided the process with the yellow cedar by having it lightly kiln dried and then finished by air drying. By summer 2021, it was ready and we could start the actual refit.

The work onboard began with building a shed and walkway around the aft deck and taking the original deck apart. The deck hardware, deckhouse, bulwarks (rails), and many other elements were carefully removed to save for reuse or templating. The deck itself was removed by sawing in between the beams and extracting all the old

fasteners (like boat nails, etc). That gave us space to evaluate the curve and “sheer line” of the old deck, and from there we made some design improvements. This included changing the location of the corner posts of the cockpit outboard so they would line up with the carlines and edge of the afterdeck to help prevent future leaks. This change meant that the engine room would need to be completely disassembled, so all systems were taken out and the “bulkheads” (walls) were removed.

Timelapse Part 1Timelapse - Part 1

 

As this was happening on the boat, at the SALTS shop they were busy dimensioning and varnishing all the yellow cedar for beams, “carlines” (fore and aft members on the deck around a hatch), corner posts, and other structural elements. Excitement was high as we saw that new yellow cedar added to the boat as, one by one, the beams were replaced (doing so one at a time maintained the shape of the boat during the refit). After the first couple beams were installed, we also made a major improvement to the deck by disassembling the “transom” (the vertical face of

the stern of the boat) so we could replace a buildup of multiple timbers with one solid piece which would better support the end of the deck. We also took the opportunity to add galvanized steel rods inside the carlines – something the Grace has but the Swift has not had until now. These are another design improvement for additional structural strength and rigidity. With the new beams in place, we faired the beams again to make sure the sheer line still looked good and that there were no high/low spots on the deck.

Timelapse Part 2Timelapse - Part 2

 

 

 

At this point in the project, we contacted several boat builders in Victoria and enlisted their help to speed the process along, as our spring sailing season was fast approaching! With their help things moved along quickly: the

strapping (diagonal purple heart pieces) was installed and faired; the decking, locking strakes, and cockpit siding were installed; the transom was reassembled; the covering board (most outboard plank) and bulwarks made of yellow cedar were sawn out and assembled (we were grateful to have material wide enough and long enough that there were no joints on these); the previous cap rails were reinstalled; a new engine room hatch was built; the engine room with all its systems began to be reassembled; and many other tasks were completed!

Timelapse Part 3 Timelapse - Part 3

As the pace of work onboard increased, the shop had the critical role of preparing and varnishing all the material needed to keep work moving onboard. They also started to build new bitts (posts made of purple heart that mooring lines attach to) and dorade (or funnel) boxes.

During this time, the aft cabin deck house was built offsite, assembled onsite and finished in place. It’s a beautiful piece with yellow cedar corner posts, fir sides/decking/sills, a teak hatch, and the original skylight. Thanks go to Pat Woodland who built both the original and this refresh!
 

Once the literal dust had settled onboard, we turned our attention to cleaning, fairing, and waterproofing the deck. Seams were cleaned and oiled, then two layers—one of cotton, then one of oakum—were driven into the seams. After those hardened, the seams were taped, painted and tarred with pitch to create a waterproof seal.

With most of the woodworking on deck completed, the Pacific Swift crew painted and oiled abovedecks.

Timelapse Part 4 Timelapse - Part 4

Belowdecks, the attention turned to reassembly of the interior and systems to get the Swift ready to sail. The engine’s transmission and starter needed to be rebuilt.

The Swift was ready just in time to embark on her first scheduled sailing with trainees since the pandemic began, slipping her lines on April 19, 2022. The new aft-deck should serve us well for another 35+ years, and preparations will now begin for the replacement of the foredeck in a future winter season.

Trainees from the Pacific Swift's first offshore voyage in 1988/1989 enjoying community on the aft-deck. Trainees from the Pacific Swift's first offshore voyage in 1988/1989 enjoying community on the aft-deck.

Trainees from a school group trip in 2022 enjoying community on the new aft deck Trainees from a school group trip in 2022 enjoying community on the new aft deck!


Many thanks to Pat Woodland, a builder on the Swift and Grace, for being with us throughout the project and helping us work through many obstacles as they came up. Also thank you to Jean Gaudin from Abernathy and Gaudin Boatbuilding, Hamish Mayhill from Cutwater Joinery and Dawn Johnston. Many thanks also go to each of the SALTS crew members, led capably by Captains Tristan Hedley and Sam Vaale, who worked hard to make this refresh a reality, from initial timber drying all the way through to the final coat of paint. Finally, we are so grateful for everyone in the SALTS community who supported this project with their time, talent, donations, and enthusiasm – it has truly been a team effort and we couldn’t have done it without you!

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Continue reading our Spring 2022 newsletter!

 

Timelapses by Tina Bergum