Replacing and repairing the steel frames

Composite construction

The 12-m R-Yacht Anitra is a composite construction dating back to the year 1928. This means that a part of the static formations were made of metal. Every second frame the length of the yacht, including the floor plates, are made of galvanized steel. The dimensions of these frames as angle frames are 50 x 50 x 5 mm.

After 75 years sailing in salt water, these frames and floor plates have rusted. Depending on their condition, the metal frames were either completely or partly rebuilt. Metal floor plates with brackets and rivet connections are reconstructed according to the original. In addition to being galvanized, these metal parts receive a multi-layered special coating, which makes them much more resistant against salt water.

A lot of work

There are 68 steel frames in the Anitra’s hull: 34 on the port side and a further 34 on the starboard side. The steel frames and planks are screwed together with some 2,700 countersunk screws (10 x 45 mm).

Preparations

In order to gain easier access to the steel frames, the upper hull planks and the edge of the deck had to be removed.

Here in this photo of inside the construction hall, you can see the scaffolding set up around the hull.