"A few years ago my idea was to rebuild my boat. Having an existing good boat I wasn’t sure if I still would end up with a good boat or if I would destroy the one I had. Watching things being torn apart surely thinking I’ve made a mistake now, but as things slowly came together, and saw that instead of a rebuilt boat, a totally new boat was taking shape. The only part that remained the same was parts of the hull.
A couple of years ago I thought I had one of the best boats on the water, knowing little about what a real boat is like because now I have the real Miracle Boy, not just half of one and it is so much different. Bigger and better. I used to take 3 loads of pots, now I can take them all in one load. Most people want to know who built my new boat because they can’t believe it is the same boat that I used to have, just rebuilt.
Back to my regrets, none. I owe this to the workmanship at Apple Island Marine."
"Miracle Boy" Owner
Captain Stephen Goreham
Cape Sable Island,
Nova Scotia
Many people have asked how we transform an old boat into one that is as new. Apple Island refers to this procedure as an "Extreme Rebuild". This web page is dedicated to answer this interesting question. We are using the vessel "Miracle Boy" to illustrate the process.
The Miracle Boy is an interesting story both on and off the water. Captain Stephen Goreham named this boat after his son who was so tiny at birth that he was able to fit in the palm of his grandfather's hand. The Miracle "Boy" is now a full grown young man. This boat has a similar story. It was originally smaller, then changed into an extraordinary larger fishing boat ready to take on the sea. Once refitted, this boat was able to load more traps and travel further offshore to more lucrative fishing grounds. Let's take a look and see how this Extreme Rebuild changed the "Miracle Boy".
The owner stops by to see the disassembly progress on his boat.
An excavator removes all remaining parts until the bare hull is exposed. No picture is available of the this boat during excavation.
The boat arrived sized at 39' x 16'. She was dismantled as much as possible while at wharfside.
Shown here is the "Aurora Ruth" during the same process.
The boat is placed in the shop where the hull is split ...
and made ready for widening and lengthening.
Here the boat is shown after fibre glass is applied 16 layers, in some areas more. This meets or exceeds CSI standard.
Apple Island Marine has CSI approved plans for rebuilds.
Next, the bow is built up and modelled to its new shape.
The bulkheads and nailer beams are added and other preparations are made before laying the deck.
The deck is fitted.
Down forward is formed and the foundation for the wheelhouse begins to take shape.
The wheelhouse is then built.
Final mouldings, electronics and end modications are made. Final paint applications are applied and she is ready for launch.
An easy launch.
She heads to the wharf for sea trials.
In 2004 the Miracle Boy was widened to 21.6’, raised by 14” and made 43.11’ long. She has a 5’ aluminum overhang making her approximately 48’ in length. The oak trim galley down forward has sleeping quarters for 4, plus storage lockers.
The wheelhouse has a captain's bunk with arborite and birch plywood finish with oak mouldings throughout.
A rebuild is less expensive than a new boat. In addition, the boat is classified by insurance companies as a new boat. Significant savings.
Whether you are considering a rebuild or building a new boat of your dreams, Apple Island Marine will construct to your specifications.
