Wells new Shannon boathouse
Wells Boathouse Build

New boathouse build

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Frame going up!

Wednesday 9 Jun 2021

After what seemed a quiet few weeks with the site looking still and empty, Reside are now well underway with construction of the new boathouse and the first part of the frame for the new boathouse has been installed today.

The framework is constructed using Glulam beams which are made and computer-cut to size and shape off-site and then lifted and bolted into place. The beams are 'glue laminated timber' made by compressing together high-quality wood laminates and fixing them into place with a special adhesive. The result is a strong, light and long-lasting material comparable in strength to light gauge steel or concrete. The process also reduces construction cost and time as much of the work is done off-site with little wastage and the full frame can be erected relatively quickly. Although the beams and design look modern, the technique goes back over 100 years and there are C19 public buildings with Glulam beams still looking good and in service today.

On the beach to the north, the new all-weather lifeboat launching ramp has quickly become part of the scenery and has already been adopted in recent hot weather by visitors to the beach, providing a sitting spot and even some welcome shade. 

Although it won't be in use until next year, the ramp was given an informal christening when the inshore lifeboat and Softrak vehicle was briefly driven onto it during the launch event this week for the RNLI's Launch A Memory scheme which lets people commemorate a loved one by adding their name in small lettering to the hull numbers on Wells' new Shannon lifeboat when it is built.

 

Site cleared at the end of phase 1

Site cleared at the end of phase 1
24/5/21 Mackley

ALB ramp finished at the end of phase 1

ALB ramp finished at the end of phase 1
24/5/21 Mackley

Beach bank path made good at the end of phase 1

Beach bank path made good at the end of phase 1
24/5/21 Mackley

Glulam beams being prepared at Buckland Timber in Devon

Glulam beams being prepared at Buckland Timber in Devon
 Buckland Timber

Manufacture of the glulam beams at Buckland Timber in Devon

Manufacture of the glulam beams at Buckland Timber in Devon
 Buckland Timber

Manufacture of the glulam beams at Buckland Timber in Devon

Manufacture of the glulam beams at Buckland Timber in Devon
 Buckland Timber

Beams being prepared at Buckland Timber in Devon

Beams being prepared at Buckland Timber in Devon
 Buckland Timber

Pre-made and cut glulam beams delivered to site

Pre-made and cut glulam beams delivered to site
2/6/21 RW

Materials being delivered to site as phase 2 gets underway

Materials being delivered to site as phase 2 gets underway
2/6/21 MP

Beach reopened to the public and the new ramp already providing a sitting spot and some shade

Beach reopened to the public and the new ramp already providing a sitting spot and some shade
5/6/21 MP

New crane setup on site for lifting the building frame

New crane setup on site for lifting the building frame
7/6/21 MP

Inshore lifeboat briefly on the new all-weather lifeboat launching ramp during the 'Launch A Memory' event

Inshore lifeboat briefly on the new all-weather lifeboat launching ramp during the 'Launch A Memory' event
7/6/21 MP

First parts of the Glulam frame on-site ready to be installed

First parts of the Glulam frame on-site ready to be installed
7/6/21 MP

First part of the frame for the new boathouse being lifted into place

First part of the frame for the new boathouse being lifted into place
9/6/21 ME

First part of the frame for new boathouse frame being installed

First part of the frame for new boathouse frame being installed
9/6/21 ME

Quick progress on the first day of erecting the frame

Quick progress on the first day of erecting the frame
9/6/21 MP

Start of the frame for the new boathouse... with the old boathouse behind

Start of the frame for the new boathouse... with the old boathouse behind
9/6/21 MP

Beams being lifted and bolted into place

Beams being lifted and bolted into place
9/6/21 MP

Quick progress lifting frame pieces into position in what will be the workshop area of the building

Quick progress lifting frame pieces into position in what will be the workshop area of the building
9/6/21 MP