Converting Benford 30 Gaff Cutter to Junk Rig

  • 11 Dec 2024 18:17
    Reply # 13439824 on 13439500
    Anonymous wrote:

    I know this boat. I bought a bare hull to this design from its backyard builder in 1975. The owner was disappointed with the rough finish. It was ferro cement. (I know, I know, I know!) I paid him CAN$1.00 and it was worth every cent. The surface didn't bother me. I decided I wanted a junk rig and commissioned Jay Benford to draw me up a sail. I ordered a Sabb diesel, 6-8 Hp. with a variable pitch propeller. 

    While cutting out a piece of the keel to make way for the propeller, i made a sobering discovery. The ferro cement was weak and had a texture like sponge toffy. Apparently, the builder used a formula for cement the incorporated asbestos. It was devised by Fab Aumento, a geologist who determined the asbestos made a significant difference in the strength of the concrete. That was before the big scandal about asbestos.

    The builder found this formula so stiff, so difficult to work, he added water. That just isn't done!  The water added to cement is meant to bind with the ingredients as part of the final, solid mix. Excess water is left over in the concrete. When it dries out, you get a sponge-like structure. I sold this hull for $1,00 to a friend who sold it for $100.00. The last I saw of it, it was in a backyard somewhere, upside down, bleeding rust.

    The motor was placed in my Marco Polo/Teleport. I wrote for approval to Angus Primrose, I think.

    I wrote to Jay and cancelled my order and paid for the work done It looks like he finished the plan, and you see it in this thread. Or, it may be another, from scratch.





    That’s an interesting tale. Thankfully the one I have is fibreglass, with plywood decks though, built by Mantra Marine in Seattle.  
    speaking of Sabb engines: This boat has the original 10hp with variable pitch prop. Seems to push the boat along at 3 knots. Maybe there’s a way to get more out of it but it’s awfully slow.
  • 10 Dec 2024 18:48
    Reply # 13439500 on 13432585

    I know this boat. I bought a bare hull to this design from its backyard builder in 1975. The owner was disappointed with the rough finish. It was ferro cement. (I know, I know, I know!) I paid him CAN$1.00 and it was worth every cent. The surface didn't bother me. I decided I wanted a junk rig and commissioned Jay Benford to draw me up a sail. I ordered a Sabb diesel, 6-8 Hp. with a variable pitch propeller. 

    While cutting out a piece of the keel to make way for the propeller, i made a sobering discovery. The ferro cement was weak and had a texture like sponge toffy. Apparently, the builder used a formula for cement the incorporated asbestos. It was devised by Fab Aumento, a geologist who determined the asbestos made a significant difference in the strength of the concrete. That was before the big scandal about asbestos.

    The builder found this formula so stiff, so difficult to work, he added water. That just isn't done!  The water added to cement is meant to bind with the ingredients as part of the final, solid mix. Excess water is left over in the concrete. When it dries out, you get a sponge-like structure. I sold this hull for $1,00 to a friend who sold it for $100.00. The last I saw of it, it was in a backyard somewhere, upside down, bleeding rust.

    The motor was placed in my Marco Polo/Teleport. I wrote for approval to Angus Primrose, I think.

    I wrote to Jay and cancelled my order and paid for the work done It looks like he finished the plan, and you see it in this thread. Or, it may be another, from scratch.





  • 26 Nov 2024 04:09
    Reply # 13435009 on 13432585

    Good luck.  I'm sure it will be great.  If you get tired of waiting, you can ddownload PJR from the Members' Area/ Books and Magazines/Library!

  • 19 Nov 2024 17:56
    Message # 13432585

    Hello all.


    I recently bought this boat with the intention of doing the conversion. The current gaff rig is tired. The spruce mast is questionable. 
    This is not a Benford Dory, but a heavy full keel boat. 
    I’ve ordered the practical junk rig book but don’t have it yet. Happily, I see this very boat on the cover, in line drawing, with a junk rig.

    I expect to build a new mast and step it about two feet forward of the current position. I will need to add beefy partners and floor timbers etc.
    I have questions about all of that.

    I will start with pictures of the existing rig and the junk rig shown on the cover of the book.

    2 files
    Last modified: 19 Nov 2024 17:57 | Anonymous member
       " ...there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in junk-rigged boats" 
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