Boat hardware

I a big fan of Bronze (Gunmetal) fittings on wooden boats but the cost seems to have risen dramatically in the last few years. For instance the rudder gear shown in Francois' plans is two small pintles and matching gudgeons, the price for these from Classic Marine is nearly £200. The jib sheet fairleads are nearly £40 each.

Much as I like the gunmetal fittings I'm not sure I can justify spending that sort of cash when stainless fittings are about 20% of the price.

Any thoughts on fittings and where to buy them?

Could we approach Moray who runs Classic Marine to see if he would give us a discount as an owner's association?

Rigging bits – Have a look at Toplicht.

Digressing slightly –  
Bowsprit iron (AKA "Gammon Iron") – Our best quote for the bronze strip - from London Bronze.
Keelband was brass from Classic.
Rudder Pintles, ditto (Followed by counselling).
Pintle for bowsprit/mast - we chose brass!
Rowlock pivots (instead of fancy bronze castings ). Bronze bushes from "Lodge" on eBay.
Sockets for belaying pins (on foredeck near mast) - Ditto.
Fairlead for tack-line/downhaul (relevant only to "Dual" rigs?) - Ditto.
CB Pivot is a cut-down stainless bolt from ACCU Stainless.
Hatches - See Graham's!  (Mount the forward one out of line of the mast, if it’s not too late)  See "Anomalies & Mods" topic.

(Thinks - Maybe the forum, or the website, needs a section on sources?  Perhaps subdivided into sections, timber, sails, trailers, covers, etc.   What other items? -  Anyone want to send ideas?)

When I built my Iain Oughtred Whilly Tern many years ago, I went for bronze rudder fittings from Classic Marine partly because there wasn't much alternative for a double ender with a curved stem. Later for my Wolstenholme Coot I baulked at the cost of bronze and went for seasure alloy, which never really did the boat justice. This time I have swung for bronze from Classic Marine.



With pivots and crutches to match.



As we Scots say, "yer a lang time dead."
By the way, I believe Moray sold Classic Marine on to a local business a few years ago, I think some of the standard fittings came from Davey & Co. I think Moray still acts in a consultative capacity for some of the Bespoke manufactured items.
Best regards
Graham.

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll use a mix of traditional fittings and dinghy racing bits - mainly for cleats and blocks. The Harken carbo blocks are superb and understated.

I also baulked at the cost of Classic Marine bronze fitting, and kept ruminating, and thinking, and dallying, and eventually, I thought sod it, why spoil the ship etc. So I swallowed hard and got out the credit card.

There don't seem to be any real alternatives out there. The Seasure gudgeons and pintles are the best for racing machines, but actually are still quite pricey.

The rest of my fittings came from a large box of old Harken leftovers from various previous Hornets, so I could argue I justified the Classic purchase. At least, that's what I'm saying!

By the way, that's looking good Graham! I've cricked my neck looking at the photos, but I like the spruce (?) gunwales

Are they hinges I can see in the middle of the thwart?