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In order to begin the repairs, the boat needed to be essentially taken apart piece by piece before any new work could begin. All of the original internal elements in the forward cabin and rear cockpit area were completely removed, exposing the empty hull. The deck hardware was removed and stored, the undersized diesel engine, fuel, water tanks and all other mechanical systems were systematically removed. The deconstruction phase took nearly 3 months to complete before the full extent of the repair work was visible.

From there the reconstruction began in stages as original elements were removed and replaced, starting with a new keel, forefoot, stem and transom. New frames were installed next to the original frames that remained above the water line and completely replaced the sections that were below the waterline down to the keel. New floor timbers and structural members were re-introduced to make the hull stronger than it was originally. Eventually the planking was replaced one plank at a time and the boat had a complete hull structure once again. A major milestone in the work had been reached, but the remaining work would take over another year to finally complete the project.

The complete removal of all of the interior of the hull, save the teak bulkhead between the cockpit and cabin, and the cabin top over the cabin, allowed us to thoughtfully reimagine and configured the layout of the entire boat to fit the bespoke requirements of the current owners without changing the relative appearance and character of a vintage cruising power boat. The forward cabin was completely re-arranged to accommodate a salon area that also doubles as two sleeping berths, enclosed head and small galley space. The addition of a second identical skylight in the cabin top, ensure that there was plenty of headroom in key areas of the salon along with additional natural light and ventilation. John was able to source and restore vintage rectangular bronze portholes to replace the original rudimentary windows that were in the cabin sides.

All of the hardware on the boat was either original, salvaged vintage pieces or new custom cast bronze fittings. JTAD made the aesthetic decision that ALL of the exposed hardware would be natural bronze, and be allowed to patinate naturally. No bright chrome or stainless steel fixtures were allowed, save for the original Stephans nameplates on the cockpit sides.

Forward of the salon is a large V berth behind a fir wood bulkhead and matching door. With 3 portholes providing light, and the cabin top giving headroom to the space, the forward cabin is a generous master cabin space. The cabin interior was completely finished in natural fir and painted wood surfaces, accentuating the skill of craftsmanship and elegant simplicity found inside. The settees and forward V berth concealed major mechanical systems for the boat - water tanks, heat and air conditioning units, bow thruster, anchor locker, battery banks and storage.

As part of the re-interpretation of the original design, it was decided early on to reduce the length of the shelter top over the cockpit area to increase the size of the uncovered portion of the cockpit for fishing activities. John was able to find a photgraph from the Stephans Brothers Archives, of the original boats with the full shelter top, and one customized version that had the shortened version and was labeled as a fishing variant of the 6 sister vessels. From the archival photographs, it could be seen that there were subtle differences between the sister vessels in how the cabin top and deck were arranged. The modifications of the cockpit area began with the addition of a new highly efficient diesel engine propulsion system, which dictated the location of the forward bench seats. The original height under the shelter top was a few inches short of standing headroom for the owner and a mandatory modification was to raise the shelter top by 3 inches, which necessitated completely rebuilding the supports and windows, in addition to a new cold molded structural roof. The windows in the cockpit combine awning functions with a pair of original pocketing window sash that slide down into the cockpit sides and disappear from sight. This allows for fantastic ventilation opportunities inside the cockpit area, and can also be closed in with clear weather curtains in foul weather.

The stern area of the cockpit was completely re-worked to accommodate a barrel back coaming configuration and direct access to the transom and swim platform, when a removable rear bench seat is not in place. At the helm station the suite of modern navigation and engine controls were arranged and concealed to provide a simplified appearance and belie the complexity of the systems that are available to the helmsman. A concealed helm seat slides out from the main seat, allowing convenient standing and sitting arrangements when driving the boat.

We feel that the most notable goal of this project was to honor the craftsmanship and design that was conceived of almost a century ago, and update the functionality and relevance of this classic vessel for decades to come. With her original and vintage exposed hardware and repurposed materials, this boat can now move proudly through the waters as a reminder of times past and reflects on the skill and attention to detail that the craftsmen in Maine are still able to produce. It would be my wish that if the Stephan Brothers were able to see the new Uncle Roy, they would immediately recognize their design and consider the changes that were made as improvements to the bespoke nature of their work and in perfect harmony with the spirit of the original boat.