Roon II

I will write more at a later date.
I purchased Roon II in 2010.
She is a 1934 Sparkman Stephens Ketch.
Actually I saved her from being cut in half...

Being a woman with such a boat has been interesting...
I did all the rig myself with help from my daughters... 46 eye splices of 316 1 x 19 wire ....

As a woman family is always a part of the responsibility... particularly if one is alone...

Daughters going away to college and needing help. Parents ill and getting older... the boat had to wait...over and over.
I long to work until she is ready alas.

I have been restoring my lovely Roon II for over three years... she is so close!
I do this all by myself!
I used to think I was handy hanging Christmas lights.
I now have a band saw- a table saw- I built my own work bench.
I still do not have a jointer planer- instead I use hand planes.... one day...

My boat is totally original.
She does not have DC running lights- she has her original lanterns.
I have pictures of her with the four families before me.
She is one of a kind.
She is on page 50 of "The Best of the Best" Olin Stephens designs.

My boat came with 300 original charts.
She sailed from New York to Cuba every year... so much history and I have it all.
I have her original sails... all hand made.
I have an autobiography of the man who commissioned her and he speaks with love for her.

I have documented everything I have done.
I learned how to make my own red lead paint, white lead paste, and I make my own "special mixture" for below water seams.
I have caulked all her seams..above water, below water and the deck.

I have learned so much over these last three years.

I am proud of what I have done.
I will send pictures soon... I just needed to let "someone" know that there is another woman who totally owns and restores her own pedigree Wooden Boat...

Sincerely,

April Salem
Please wait until I have put together my marvelous pictures!
She is beautiful

Today I had to make my first block.
As Roon will apply for Federal Historic Vessel, I must keep all things coming from her.
This block needed much repair to the wood surrounding the shiv block for running back stays.
I took the innards and made a new block.
It is so pretty and it is the first time I have ever tried such a thing!