Restoration Work at Seddülbahir

Teknomarin Yacht Paints has carried out renowned classic vessel restoration projects in previous years such as Dingo, Su (Fidan), Son Karga and Neptune, and we exhibited these vessels at trade fairs. The oldest and most famous link in this chain became Seddülbahir.

Our primary objectives in the Seddülbahir restoration and our other work have been, as a Turkish paint company, to take responsibility for Turkish maritime history with awareness of social responsibility, and to demonstrate as a Turkish paint producer how our quality and high-technology products can restore even a vessel in the worst condition to service. We believe that the historically valuable wooden vessels of our nation, which through various reasons have been neglected or face loss, have become synonymous with Turkish seas and are heritage assets. We carried out these projects so as to pass this heritage to future generations and, along with their own histories, to keep the name Teknomarin alive. To briefly introduce Seddülbahir: Prof. Dr. Süleyman Dirvana (1915-2010), one of Turkey's pioneering sailors and a significant surgeon, purchased a 7.5-meter ketch-rigged sailing vessel built in 1920, previously named Yavru, in 1950 and named it Seddülbahir. Dirvana brought the vessel to Küçüksu Beach and carried out repair work. He fitted it with a Marconi sail system and changed the color of the sailing vessel from white to dark navy blue. Initially sailing Dirvana's vessel without an engine, he traveled alone as far as Ayvalık. In subsequent periods, the vessel's draft was extended, the bow was reinforced with additional stem and converted into a stem-post, wooden masts were replaced with aluminum masts, and an engine was installed. Sailing Dirvana challenged the waves for more than half a century with his Seddülbahir, and later began participating in sailing races and won placings. More than half a century of challenging the waves with his sailing vessel Seddülbahir, Dirvana passed away at age 95. Although Seddülbahir was an older vessel compared to our previous known restoration work, Dingo and Neptune, it was afloat in active use, yet still required detailed maintenance. The vessel, which had undergone its last major overhaul in the 1950s, bore the fatigue of years. Deck coverings had warped, exterior paint and coatings required maintenance every year, and there were extensive checking cracks. The metal bolts holding the rubbing strake had corroded from long years of seawater exposure and become very thin, risking loss of the fastener. Serious rot had begun in the vessel's hull coverings; the wood crumbled like flour when touched by hand. The vessel's exterior was first completely burned and stripped in Bozburun; when the polyurethane putties in the vessel hull were removed, checking cracks reaching up to 1 cm in places appeared. Later, to prevent damage during its transport to Istanbul and to preserve hull integrity, the vessel was entirely coated with epoxy adhesive (1) and classic epoxy putty (2). The vessel's masts were subsequently removed and it was transported to our facility in Istanbul-Tuzla.

Hull Covering Repair and Plywood Wrapping

First, the epoxy putty wrapping the hull during transport was stripped and sanded clean, except for the checking cracks. After necessary covering repairs were made, the hull was sanded in preparation for plywood covering. The vessel's hull was wrapped with double-layer diagonal marine plywood using epoxy adhesive (1). The plywood, cut into strips 4 mm thick, was secured by having holes drilled and fastening with pneumatic staples; nails and screws were not used in this process. During the fastening process, the epoxy adhesive (1) protruded through the drilled holes, acting as a chemical fastener and ensuring the plywood sat fully and bonded to the substrate. Before fiber wrapping, the plywood substrate was sealed with a mixture of epoxy adhesive and microfiber, and gaps were filled.

Fiber Wrapping

After sanding, the vessel was wrapped with two layers of 300-gram woven fiber using epoxy resin (3). During fiber wrapping, air trapped between layers was removed using a plastic spatula without damaging the fiber. After fiber wrapping, peel ply was applied. Following peel ply application, a sanded-appearance surface resulted. Thus the vessel was ready for priming.

Priming

Epoxy universal primer (4) was applied over the epoxy fiber covering. The applied epoxy primer covered all fiber surfaces, creating an appropriate substrate for the epoxy putty (5) to be applied over it. Due to its universal nature, this primer can readily be used as a tie coat between epoxy-based paints and coating layers.

Putty Application

After the epoxy primer was sanded, application of epoxy putty (5) began. By using the straightedge method (4 mm) during putty application, it was possible to apply putty of equal thickness to the entire vessel hull. Due to its low density, the putty used does not sag on vertical surfaces and can readily fill cavities up to 2 cm. After the epoxy putty dried, it was sanded with a fairing board and later sealed with epoxy inspection putty (6). Along with fiber application, oil-fired heaters were installed in the work area at our facility and kept in continuous operation. Since epoxy-based materials require heat to cure, this heating was necessary, particularly for epoxy applications performed under winter conditions.

Deck Coverings

On deck, beside the cabin and in the cockpit, mahogany covering was applied over the original wood structure. Epoxy adhesive (1) was used in mahogany covering application and fastened pieces were tightened with clamps. The mahogany covering subsequently applied was saturated using polyurethane impregnation primer (7) and made ready for varnish application. New deck was also constructed on deck after the old deck was completely removed, using two layers of 8 mm marine plywood. During deck covering installation, plywood was mounted using epoxy adhesive (1) and stainless steel screws. After plywood covering was completed, deck received the same epoxy-fiber, epoxy primer and epoxy putty treatment as the hull.

Spray Putty and Primer Application

After putty application to hull and deck, sanding was performed and the substrate was made ready for spray putty (8) application. Epoxy spray putty (8) was applied to the entire hull and deck at a thickness of 500-1000 microns; thus the sanding marks resulting from sanding of the epoxy putty and the corner lines that the epoxy putty had not completely filled were perfectly filled by spray putty (8). This process proved very useful in applying the necessary form to the curved corners of the vessel. After spray putty was sanded, application of light blue polyurethane primer (9), which would serve as a sealer primer, was begun. Polyurethane primer acts as a tie coat between epoxy-based spray putty and polyurethane-based topcoat paint. Polyurethane primer (9) with its filled structure also filled scratches created in the spray putty sanding.

Deck Varnish Work

After the cabin sides, superstructure edges and capping rails in the superstructure were primed with impregnation primer (7), they were made ready for filler varnish and topcoat and final varnish work. First, polyurethane filler varnish (10) was applied at approximately 15 coats; after every 3 coats, drying time was awaited before sanding. As the final step, polyurethane varnish (11) was applied at approximately 15 coats; again after every 3-4 coats, drying time was awaited before sanding. After polyurethane primer on hull and deck was sanded, the vessel's deck and rubbing strake were ready for topcoat paint.

Topcoat Paint Application

High-solid polyester polyurethane topcoat paint (12) was first applied as a showcoat in 3 coats; thus any remaining defects and surface irregularities on the substrate became visible. After sanding and performing necessary inspections, polyurethane topcoat paint (12) was applied in 3 final coats and topcoat application was completed. Color fidelity to the original was maintained and the rubbing strake was chosen in black, with the superstructure in white. # MAKALE# Analiz# Seddülbahir# Restorasyon# Çalışması