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Sampson Motor Whaleboat Restoration "Project Sam"
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PROJECT SAM HISTORY

 

Sampson Motor Whaleboat Restoration Project - Dale Hughes

UPDATE NOV 2005 - From Dale - Many things going on within Project Sam. All are in various stages of completion.

The back compartment has 2 coats of HiBuild primer and 3 coats of 545 Awlgrip primer The front compartment is in the process of being sanded and faired. Middle compartment, somewhere in between the two. Comings and Shear are being repaired and rebuilt as needed.
We finished the hull fairing and at this time we have 3 coats of Hi Build primer and 4 coats of 545 Awlgrip primer above the waterline. At present,two coats of yellow HullGard are below the waterline. We will be painting later this year . Some spot painting will be done at the midrail area in order to provide a surface for installation of new quarter sewn White Oak midrails.
All wet End Grain Balsa has been cut out and replaced in the decks
The short block has been rebuilt and the process of reassembling the engine and transmission will began shortly. I wish to thank the Samsonites and others that have furnished info and interest in the project. Additional update will be available mid 2006. You may contact me at No1ahcav@tampabay.rr.com Use subject line "Project Sam".

Following Jan 2006 photos were provided by Dale:

  

  

UPDATE June 2005 - From Dale - Many things going on within Project Sam. All are in various stages of completion.

June - 2005 The back compartment has 2 coats of HiBuild primer and 2 coats of 545 Awlgrip primer The front compartment is in the process of being sanded and faired. Middle compartment , somewhere in between the two. Comings and Shear are being repaired and rebuilt as needed. We are continuing working on the global fairing of the hull. If we achieve a fairness that will support painting we will probably paint instead of gelcoating. All wet End Grain Balsa has been cut out and replaced in the decks The engine and transmission are still in the shop. The short block is in process of being rebuilt. I wish to thank the Samsonites and others that have furnished info and interest in the project. Additional update will be available mid 2006. Following photos were provided by Dale:

  

  

Earlier Project Photos Below...

 The following photos are updates on the Sampson’s motor whaleboat project. Dale Hughes is restoring the whaleboat with the intentions of furnishing it for use and pleasure at the Sampson 2007 May reunion in St Pete Beach, Fl. He was an ET from 1961-1962 on the Sampson and is a lifetime member of the Sampson Reunion Association.

 

 

 

 

To All Sampsonites and Association members

 

I am a planker and served on the Sampson in 61-62. Last year, I had the opportunity to purchase a motor whaleboat; Serial # C13236. This boat was built in 1964 and was lost in Navy inventory for about 4 years. It was located and was assigned to the Sampson in May 1970. When we purchased the boat it was in bad repair and is now in the process of restoration and refitting.

Restoration of “Project SAM” will be complete in the spring of 2007. Documenting and collecting info on this boat has become part of the project. If you can furnish any info about this boat, written or in photos, it would certainly be appreciated.

   Sincerely, Dale Hughes

St. Pete Beach, FL                                                                                            No1ahcav@tampabay.rr.com

Please ref: “Project SAM” if responding

 

P.S. We attended our first Sampson reunion this year in Nashville. What a great time. We hope to see you and yours at the May 2007 reunion here in St Pete Beach.

 

 

                                

July 2005 Update

Sam’s outside hull has been cleaned, sanded and faired. She has 2 coats of vinylester resin in preparation for a fall gelcoating. The diesel Westerbeke 40 engine has been removed and the short block and cylinder head are at the machine shop for survey.

 

 

 

Portions of the decks have been cut out, wet end grain balsa has been removed and prep is underway for new EGB cores.

Systems, such as the drive train, steering, electrical, navigation, fuel, and bilge will all be evaluated and action will be in accordance.

I wish to thank all the Sampsonites who have furnished info and interest in the project and especially Dave Starky, Bill Sargent and Gilbert Porter.  

May 2005 - Sampson Motor Whaleboat Restoration Project

Photos taken by Dale Hughes of the Sampson's Motor Whaleboat in St. Petersburg Beach, Florida as Dale Hughes is restoring the boat. Dale was an ET from 1961-1963 and is a lifetime member of the Sampson Reunion Association. Here is a note from Dale requesting anyone with photos or info on the motor whaleboat to contact him. Dale's email is no1ahcav@tampabay.rr.com
Photo 1    Photo 2

May 2005 Motor Whaleboat Restoration Project Update from Dale Hughes
"Three orbital sanders , 250 sheets of sandpaper, Five coats of anti-fouling, one coat of gelcoat, black coat, green coat, black coat,green coat, different color green coat, tracer markers of blue and black left over from sometime and various combos of other stuff. Laying on your back under 3 trailer axles, holding a six pound sander over your head, wearing a resperator,glasses , earmuffs,ect.. Life is Good, REAL GOOD. Top side {next year] is going to be a piece of cake."
Photo 1   Photo 2

  

Remember!!

May 2007, St Pete Beach Fl.

We predict lots of food, fun, fellowship and a renewing of old acquaintances.  SAM will be standing by for all Samsonites ready to cruise the Intercoastal Waterway.