When You Make That 12' Birdsmouth Boathook for the Dock...

[Bob Smalser]

...make it stronger.

http://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/6376531/79818436.jpg

Gave way after 5 seasons of shuffling boats around and breaking ice...that passion for perfect wood-metal fit war my undoing, and I get to dry it out, turn a plug, and fit it again.

Looking at it, am surprised it lasted as long as it did.

[Dan Gill]

Did you have to dive for it?

[Bob Smalser]

Through the ice. ;)

[Maurice Ungaro]

Ouch! :eek:

Maurice

[Bob Smalser]

http://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/6376531/81959177.jpg

I start a 1" Forstner bit in the existing hole by tapping it in like a chisel before boring out the hole:

http://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/6376531/81959185.jpg

A White Oak plug is turned to fit both the shaft hole and the bronze head:

http://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/6376531/81964354.jpg

The shaft fitted to the head by tapping, twisting, and taking off the high spots until it is fully seated:

http://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/6376531/81959192.jpg

And everything epoxied together:

http://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/6376531/81959200.jpg

A little fairing left to do and a little paint on that joint for protection and it goes back into service.

[John Bailey]

Off subject a bit, but great pictures of the fix.

John