A Closer look at the Jam Butty

Inside Montgomery

July 2013

After my initial post on the Jam Butty, you must be wondering about the radio silence on the subject. Well, things have been very hectic and my time to post on the blog have been limited. My apologies.

The full Monty - well, 11ft of her actually!

Its probably worth clarifying what the butty will be called. Helen and took one look at the stern and independently concluded that the boat will have to continue with its given name of Montgomery, but as a working description it will be known as "The Jam Butty" and will be sign written as such. I have no scruples about changing the name of an inland waterways craft - it used to happen all the time, and indeed Wand'ring Bark used to be Piccalo before we got to work on her. So, Montgomery she was and Montgomery she will remain.

The deal being struck

Fine lines at the stern - would probably tow faster going backwards!

I havn't had a chance to see her again but the deal has been struck and the steelwork will be done between other jobs over the next few months and we may test her ability to float in the autumn, after which she will be stored on the bank till next summer whilst I sort out the inside.

The Capt making a quick inspection

The back cabin was nicely fitted out when it was built and there is much I can refurbish and repair. In fact the extent of the internal joinery greatly reduces the amount of work I have to put into her and I quite like the fact that it will be "used" when we get it as she will immediately have the patina of age about her. Here are some photos of the back cabin as it currently is:

 The interior of Montgomery

The hold is just an un reinforced void at present, stitched together to show how she will look with those 100 year old riveted sides from the stern of a BCN day boat and a new base plate. When the elements were assembled the day boat was nearly 10 inches wider than the more modern stern, which is the contemporary 6ft 10in. About 4 inches will be from the original construction when day boats were typically 7ft 1 1/2 inches wide and the rest will be from spread. The hull was slimmed down when it was being tacked to the new base plate and made to fit the profile of the stern. There is more to the restoration of old boats than meets the eye.