The Empacher racing shell has been considered the best of the best for many years. There’s some debate, but it’s been the one boat that rowers covet more than any other. This one got a new lease on life.
This 15 yr old Empacher double came to Saratoga Small Craft needing a complete restoration as a result of a transport accident. Once the bow repair was complete (detailed in picture captions), the entire boat was prepped for new paint, and the cockpit prepped for clear coating. First, the decks and hull were painted with 2 part Empacher yellow urethane paint custom matched by Awlgrip, the flat black arrow deck stripe was masked and painted next, then the interior cockpit sprayed with Awlgrip catalyzed urethane clear coat. Finally black striping was applied, new Empacher decals added, seats and foot stretchers were refurbished and a new fin was installed. This 1995 Empacher 2x, comparing favorably to a brand new one, was ready to be rowed.
The Empacher stern deck damage before restoration. Measurements are taken and recorded so deck striping can be reproduced.
The Empacher bent fin. The fin will be removed and replaced using laser alignment.
Peter batten sands the Empacher hull with aggressive grit. We routinely hand batten sand hulls that we restore for 3 reasons: To remove some existing coating, to prep it for adhesion of the epoxy primer, and to achieve a fairer hull. After repairs and painting are complete the hull will get a final batten wet sanding to achieve a perfectly fair and faster hull.
THE Empacher 2x Knee is split and crushed from over tightening. The knees are filled and surfaced with carbon fiber cloth. The bolt holes are then drilled oversized and an epoxy annulus installed. The annulus will prevent crushing of the knee from over tightening in the future.
Here Peter is cutting the deck off to access the interior hull. Structural repairs often require vision and resolve to get the job done properly. Peter makes sure to cut where the fine cut line, after epoxy bonding, was covered with the original accent stripe. SSC’s take on ‘cosmetic surgery’.
The Empacher bow’s center ridge was collapsed all along it’s length. The delaminated Kevlar exterior skin was removed (~50%) and replaced with new epoxy impregnated Kevlar. The deck is being cut off to access the interior hull underneath.
Here the Empacher damaged deck is removed. With the benefit of having access to the interior fractured skins we made the hull structurally sound using the existing Nomex, epoxy and new Kevlar cloth.
The Empacher 2X deck restored with new paint, deck plate and a painted deck stripe.
The stern deck restored with the unmistakable Empacher yellow paint scheme with it’s flat black painted deck stripe.
The Empacher 2X restored cockpit with new Awlgrip urethane clear coat.
The classic Empacher logo and paint scheme on the restored bow with new bow ball.
The sprayed Awlgrip clear urethane dazzles on the restored cockpit and knees and is very durable.
The restored hull with it’s new Empacher decal shows off it’s wet-sanded mirror finish. It’s as fast as it looks!
The Empacher 2X restoration complete.