Help - Melanesia Stem Handle repair/replace

[Nathan Stanley]

After much time and neglect, I am returning to my Melanesia project. The hull and ama are complete, albeit unfinished.

During a recent wind storm while I was at work, the hull was blown off of its stand (sawhorses) and the stem handle broke off. 

What I am wondering is if it is better to fashion a new handle and attach it to the then-prepared bow, or attempt major surgery and replace the entire stem? I am strongly in favor of the handle-only solution, but it is just a matter of the exact method.

Any help and ideas are appreciated.

[jung fabrice]

bonjour , pourquoi ne pas avoir stratifié le pont ? Personnellement je rapporterai une poignée mais collée avec de l’époxy et un très large joint-collé puis plusieurs épaisseurs de tissus de verre (du bi-axial tourné à chaque couche de 30°)

[Nathan Stanley]

Jung, merci for the suggestions. I think I will try to create a cavity (between the red and blue lines in the photo) where the uppermost portion of the stem lies, and fashion new handle which will recess into the new slot and secure it with thickened epoxy within, and, as Jung suggests, strips of glass on the outside to spread the load and assist in security of the handle.

Always open to more ideas. Thanks, all.