The perfectly formed mast hoops on the Schooner Adventure were custom made at Gloucester’s own C.B. Fisk organ building company. The Newbury company Pert Lowell makes mast hoops however the largest they have to offer is only a foot in diameter. See the video of Greg, Geoff, and Bill making the hoops, from shaping the strips of steamed ash around the form to finished fastening. Geoff Deckebach is the lead shipwright and restoration project coordinator for the Adventure. Greg Bover shares that Geoff made the ingenious circular jig. The ash for the hoops was donated by Jim Knott, who also donated the ship’s engine.
The next member sail is this coming Wednesday, August 12th at 3pm. Take advantage of this fabulous offer! For more information about becoming a member and sailing benefits visit the Adventure website here.
Video by Joanne Main.
Good Morning Gloucester 
They didn’t all go this easily. When one of us says “40” at the end that doesn’t count the 20 or so that split or otherwise failed as we wound them onto the jig. The grain direction in the 1 1/4″ x 1 1/4″ pieces of ash, tapered at both ends, turned out to be one of the crucial concerns. I think we finished up with 45 keepers out of about 65 attempts.
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I wondered about that 40 at the end. Thanks Greg for the added info!
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