Mr. Jim's Legacy Sails Again

Jolly Dolphin back in the water for the first time since 2008.

  Cambridge, Maryland (February 9, 2011) -- The 3 sail bateau, Jolly Dolphin, built by “Mr. Jim” Richardson in 1958, recently left Cambridge’s Ruark Boatworks to begin a new life on the western shore. Brought to Cambridge in 2008 by her owner to be restored at the James B. Richardson Foundation’s Ruark Boatworks facility, she has undergone a major restoration effort assisted by many Boatworks volunteers. Over the years the normal deterioration of a wooden boat necessitated a significant amount of work.

  To start with, the 63 foot (LOA) boat was turned over to allow removal and replacement of the cedar bottom planking, white oak chines, cedar starter planks and inner stem. When that work was completed Yacht Maintenance Co. Inc. of Cambridge turned her right-side up for restoration of the outer stem of white oak, numerous side timbers and most of the side planking. New laminated oak deck beams for aft of the cabin were fashioned using Mr. Jim’s method for determining the arc.

  A pattern of her original transom was used to fashion an oak replacement. Her centerboard and rudder also showed their age, and new oak replacements were made. Several of the original pieces will stay at the Ruark Boatworks to become permanent displays. After a week in the water at a hospitable neighbor’s slip, her new wood planks had swelled tight enough for the trip to her Magothy River berth.

  She is now powered by a rebuilt 76 horsepower Cummins diesel with a restored 18 inch bronze propeller.  The 48 mile trip north took 7 hours and was cold but without incident. Restoration of her cabin is planned by her current stewards. She is expected to visit Cambridge waters regularly to show off “Mr. Jim's” fine eye for a Bay icon.

  If you’d like to be a part of the Foundation’s mission of “Putting History on the Water,” contact the Foundation at 410-221-1871, or the Ruark Boatworks at 410-221-8844. Several more boat restoration and construction projects are scheduled.