Blacking our Bottom

We’re at Caggy’s Boatyard on the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN) near Tipton to black our bottom.

All narrowboats have a black coating on the hull to protect it from rusting away too quickly and from electrolytic action in the water.  This gradually wears away as you use the boat and the hull needs blacking again from time to time.  Opinions vary greatly about how often it needs doing, but typically in the 1 to 5 year range.

Our hull was first blacked and put into the water 2 years ago and after 6 months build it was given one extra coat of blacking 18  months ago, just before we took it over.

Now, after two summer’s use, seemed a good time to apply more blacking.  We had intended to do it a little earlier but this was the first gap in the bookings for the dry dock, which is now booked through to next June.  I was eager to see just what state the hull was below the water line which is impossible to see normally.

I cruised to Caggy’s on Tuesday and went into the dry dock as soon as another boat was let out on Wednesday morning.  The gate was sealed behind and the water pumped out.  Three hours later we were sitting on the blocks on the bottom.

What would it look like?

Surprisingly good was the answer.  The third photo shows the worst part of he hull where the rust was starting, and there was lots of green along the waterline.

The first job is the pressure wash where I made sure I stood well behind when I held the camera.  Water and bits of all sort of stuff came of the hull and went everywhere.

I’d made sure all the doors and windows were closed but, as I watched, I wondered if I should have put the plugs in the sinks and washbasins as I watched water go up the outlet pipes.  Fortunately it was OK as nothing came too far up the pipes.

Then a look at the same worst area of the hull after pressure washing and it looked almost the same as the rest of the hull.  For some reason, the exposed metal hull around here, for about 6 feet of the length of the hull was bright shiny polished looking.

All the rest of the hull looked similar with the same amount of metal hull exposed but looking dull colour.  I wonder if anyone can explain this - is it a hint of electrolytic problems?

Finally, after letting everything dry overnight, it was time to start the blacking.  I got to do all the fiddly bits at the stern, like under the swim and inside the weed hatch, and all along the top edge where it meets the blue while Christine did the rest.

It was easy to see where we had blacked today as we worked along but tomorrow may be difficult seeing where we are as we paint black over black.

Posted on Thursday, November 27, 2008 at 20:47        Comments (0)
Category(s): BCN , Build our Boat

Taylors of Fenny

Our boat was built by Ian Taylor at Fenny Marina and we started our maiden voyage to Oxford on Good Friday 2007.

Ian did most of the work himself, with help from Ron and Barry.

The good news is that from tomorrow, 1st July, Ian takes over the business at Fenny Compton and will be trading as Taylors of Fenny bringing over 25 years experience to the business.

Ian will be offering a comprehensive range of services for narrowboats including, electrical service and repairs, gas service and repairs, plumbing, repainting, engine servicing, heater servicing and much, much more.

He can also supply Epifanes paints and varnishes, Vetus marine diesels and equipment, Webasto diesel heating and Kuranda marine equipment.

I’m sure he will be very successful.

Posted on Monday, June 30, 2008 at 21:54        Comments (0)
Category(s): Build our Boat , Southern Oxford

The Gas Man Cometh

Twas on a Monday morning the gas man came to call.
The gas tap wouldn’t turn - I wasn’t getting gas at all.

It wasn’t Monday but it was a Flanders and Swann sort of day, and our Gas Man cometh on Thursday and again on Friday,

We’d spent considerable time getting everything right on the boat for our cruise to film the Stourport Ring - even a weekend cruise to make sure.

When I arrived on the boat on Wednesday evening I turned the gas on in the gas locker and put the kettle on.  I had gas for 30 seconds, then it went out. I checked I’d turned the gas bottle on properly but that didn’t help so perhaps we’d run out, but turning on the other bottle didn’t help either, and neither did twiddling the changeover valve.

Lifting and shaking the gas bottles gently confirmed that the one we were using was at least half full, as expected, and the other new one was definitely full so why no gas?

Our gas bottles are in a stern locker under the seat for ease of access.  Two tails go from the bottles to the changeover switch and regulator then a continuous pipe goes to the cooker (our only gas appliance) with an isolation valve next to it - and I hadn’t accidentally knocked that off.

Taking the pipes off the changeover switch allowed me to blow through that and disconnecting the pipe at the regulator output showed no gas there so it must be the regulator.  That’s as far as I’m prepared to go with gas fittings and the dangers of tampering with them so a quick phone call to Alvechurch Boats who we would be cruising past later in the day and they confirmed they could look at it for us so off we went.

Their Engineer went through the same diagnostic process and also thought it was the regulator but then decided to check what nether of us had checked - the tails from the bottles. We both knew nothing could go wrong with those !  Well would you believe it.  The non-return valves in both tails had seized up at the same time - and they’re both still shiny new and only 14 months old.

Well past 5 o’clock their stores were now closed and the Engineer past his finishing time.  I’m sure he would have stayed to finish the job but he couldn’t without new tails.  During the evening I conduced the un-scientific test of bashing the end of one of the tails on the concrete and putting it back on the gas bottle and we had gas.  It proved our theory but I left it all turned off.  He returned in the morning, fitted new tails, tightened it all up and got their CORGI registered fitter to check it.  We’re cooking on gas again.

—– o O o —–

And just in case that hasn’t bored you to death we had plenty of other tasks to keep us going.  The GPS display that allows us track our progress could only find one satellite so it didn’t know where we were and that took some hours to coax into life - even though it worked fine when we last left the boat.

And the desktop and laptop computers both denied existence of each other so I couldn’t synchronise any files - that was eventually traced to a Norton update since we last used the boat.

And the mobile phone charger stopped charging, although the phone display still said it was being charged, so we lost contact with the real world when the phone battery went flat.

Now we’re all sorted and cruising again so look out for further updates.

Posted on Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 11:18        Comments (0)
Category(s): Build our Boat

New Bow Fender

We have a new bow fender for this summer’s travels.

The original one, supplied with the new boat only lasted one season.  It had been refastened several times and it was beyond hope - there was nothing left to repair.

That was a traditional fender made with rope all the way through and I wondered if one with a rubber core would last any longer.

So, a new rubber cored fender is now fitted.  It’s surprising how heavy a bow fender is and I didn’t fancy hanging over the bows trying to fit one upside down so I simply reversed the boat in our normal moorings.

With the nose inwards and the fender sitting neatly on the jetty I could take as long as I liked to adjust the chains.  I simply pushed the boat back a little to let the fender hang to see how it fitted.

Now all we need is a few locks to press it gently into shape, then, no doubt, I will have to take up a little slack on the chains, and we can see how long this one lasts.

Posted on Thursday, June 12, 2008 at 19:31        Comments (0)
Category(s): Build our Boat

Happy Birthday to Waterway Routes

Waterway Routes (the boat) is one year old today.

It was on Good Friday 6 April, 2007 that we started our maiden voyage, heading southwards along the Southern Oxford Canal from Fenny Compton to reach Oxford.

We’ve been to lots of places since then, including Llangollen (twice) and around the Four Counties Ring, the Cheshire Ring and the whole of the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN).

During that year we’ve done 1,307 miles, 754 locks and 84 lift/swing bridges and consumed 1154 litres of diesel at an average of 51p per litre.

Most of the winter has been safely tucked up at Sherborne Wharf while we spent a little time working on the boat to prepare it for this summer.

Our summer cruises will be to the south and west of Birmingham, including the Avon and Stourport rings so watch out for us that way.

Posted on Sunday, April 6, 2008 at 00:01        Comments (0)
Category(s): BCN , Build our Boat

Canal Boat Magazine

Look our for the October 2007 issue of Canal Boat Magazine - on sale from Thursday 6 September.
 

Waterway Routes is reviewed inside.  See the pictures and read the story.

Posted on Thursday, September 6, 2007 at 18:32        Comments (0)
Category(s): Build our Boat

Back to Base

We’ve completed our return trip from Fenny Compton to Oxford. The boat is back with the builders for 2 weeks to complete the build and deal with a few snagging items. Then we will collect the boat and start heading northwards. The initial plans are to head for Birmingham via the narrow canals - Oxford, Coventry etc. Thank you to all those we talked to on route and to those who left comments on the Blog - please keep the comments coming.

Posted on Sunday, April 15, 2007 at 21:05        Comments (1)
Category(s): Build our Boat

Proving Trials

Off to Fenny Compton yet again.  I think the car knows its own way by now.

Today the electric motor was used for our trail run to the winding hole at the Wharf Inn and back.  Manoeuvring around the marina was an excellent demonstration of how the bow thrusters worked.

Departure was using the diesel engine, then as soon as we were straightened up on the canal we shut down the diesel and turned the key for the electric motor.

Silence.  Then we moved the throttle and we heard the rush of water and some noise from the electric motor.

Well the engine trap doors were open so we could take measurements and check everything was working.

There is just one problem, to be fixed later.  The meter which shows how much current we are taking is reading too high.  For now we have to remember that when it reads 100 amps it’s only drawing 75 amps and so on for other readings.  It can easily be fixed later.

We made measurements of current drawn and speed from a GPS then put the engine covers on and cruised silently back to the berth in the marina.  It was lovely to talk to people on other boats without shouting.

The next trip to Fenny Compton will be on Friday for the maiden voyage.  All being well we will leave Fenny Compton around lunchtime and head south towards Oxford, returning the following Thursday or Friday.  Please say Hello if you see us around.

Posted on Wednesday, April 4, 2007 at 18:18        Comments (1)
Category(s): Build our Boat

Fast Forwards (and Backwards)

On yesterday’s blog I showed pictures of Peter Bloor, the signwriter, naming our boat.

While I was watching him patiently working on the boat I also had another camera fixed on a tripod taking time-lapse video of him.

Now I’ve had time to edit the video and upload it to YouTube.  It’s my first experience of YouTube, but everyone else seems to be using it so it seemed time for me to try.

Have a look at Peter’s signwiriting in 30 seconds or so in these clips (you may have to click more than once).

Now you see it

Now you don’t

Now you see it

Now you don’t

Posted on Tuesday, April 3, 2007 at 11:32        Comments (1)
Category(s): Build our Boat

I Name this Ship … (well, Narrowboat) …

Another trip to Fenny Compton today to see Peter Bloor, the sign writer at work.

It’s fascinating to see him work and layout the wording using chalk and masking tape.  Then all the lettering.

First the same cream as the lining for the main colour, then a light blue for the side shading.  Finally returning when the first two colours are dry to add the dark blue shading.

And then the decisions about the size of lettering for the bows and a quick dash to measure the cratch cover to ensure it doesn’t cover the end of the lettering.

Posted on Monday, April 2, 2007 at 20:31        Comments (3)
Category(s): Build our Boat

Boat Safety Scheme Certificate

Just a quick visit to the boat yesterday to see the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) Inspection taking place.

Although new boats don’t need a Boat Safety Scheme Certificate our builder, Stephen Goldsbrough Boats, organises a full certificate from an independent surveyor for our confidence.  It also prevents arguments four years later when the first BSS inspection is required.

Jeff Greatwood from Alrewas was the surveyor and we watched him carefully checking everything and ticking off the checklist before issuing us with the BSS certificate.

That’s now in the post with the paperwork to British Waterways for our licence application.

Posted on Saturday, March 31, 2007 at 12:08        Comments (3)
Category(s): Build our Boat

Reading the Instructions

Another visit to Fenny Compton today.  This time it was to see Emrhys and Ian from the Thames Electric Launch Company at work.

They had been working on the boat yesterday and today and had installed the “A” frame with the electric motor.

The photo shows it driving the pulley on the main prop shaft just astern of the diesel engine.  The bright blue circular thing is a centrifugal clutch which gives a soft start and the motor is almost invisible behind it.

When the electric motor is running the diesel engine is left in neutral and the electric motor drives the propeller through the belt. 

When the diesel engine is operating like a conventional boat the belt is driven but the blue centrifugal clutch is disengaged so the motor doesn’t turn.

Ian was completing the wiring today, while Emrhys was reading the instruction manual.  By this afternoon they had completed the wiring to the motor and the control system and I saw the motor running.

We were still in the paint tunnel so we could only try it briefly in forward gear but I was impressed.  With the engine cover open and no insulation in place I could hear the motor running at maximum speed - but the noise of churning water from the propeller was louder still.

Once the cover is on the engine compartment and the sound insulation is in place it will be quieter than the noise of the water.

Lots of other work had been going on elsewhere on the boat.  Lots of fittings inside and lots more painting outside.

My next visit will be this Friday when the Boat Safety Scheme Examiner will (hopefully) issue our certificate.

Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 at 20:25        Comments (1)
Category(s): Build our Boat

Blue Boat

Another visit to see progress with our boat.  It’s in the paint shop and the paint is almost too shiny to photograph.

Here it is with the blue paint on the sides complete and the white lining finished.

The name panel towards the stern is taking shape with the undercoat and the masking tape round the edges.  The sign writer is booked for a week on Monday and I hope to be there to watch.

The gunwales will be painted with non-slip paint, as will the roof, the cockpit floors and everywhere else we may stand on.

Then there were the difficult decisions.  Would we like the mooring T-bollards picked out in the same red as the name panel.

What about the front?  What colour should that be?  What colour should this be?

We ended up walking around the marina to see what other boats looked like and trying to imagine what ours would look like.

The cooker and fridge had also been fitted now the vinyl has been laid in the kitchen and bathrooms.

Posted on Friday, March 23, 2007 at 23:46        Comments (1)
Category(s): Build our Boat

In the Paint Tunnel

Our boat went into the paint tunnel earlier this week.  Reeves had put a protective coat of paint on when they built the metal shell to stop it rusting but now it’s time for the final paint job.

Barry was busy sanding down the stern floor while we were there and he had already done preparatory work elsewhere to prepare the boat.  Any blemishes would stand out when the painting is finished if not prepared.

Now is a good time to reveal the colour scheme we have chosen for the boat - and its name.  It will be blue, with a red name panel, and called - “Waterway Routes”.

There had been lots of other work on the boat, including varnishing most of the internal woodwork and tiling the kitchen and bathrooms.

The black slate tiles had been placed around where the stove fits into the front right hand corner of the boat.  Here’s a view looking down the chimney.  They’ll look nice once the grouting between the tiles is dry and cleaned.

Posted on Friday, March 9, 2007 at 20:43        Comments (0)
Category(s): Build our Boat

Batteries in Place

Another trip to Fenny Compton today to see the latest progress with the build.  We were sure Ian would have been busy but we’re never quit sure what he will have done since our last visit.

The front of the cabin is nearing completion.  To the left of the front door is the cabinet for the radio and television.  A car radio/CD player will fit into the slot with speakers each side.  The cupboard underneath will provide valuable storage space for all sorts of things.

There is more storage space under the foredeck, although part of it is taken up with the bow thruster and its batteries.

To the right of the door is a plinth to hold the stove.  The surround will be covered in black slate tiles to protect the woodwork from the heat.  The chimney will pass out through the hole in the roof.

The woodwork continues along the right hand side of the boat with the shelves.  They look miles long but I’m sure we’ll soon fill them up with Nicholson’s Guides and DVDs etc.

Ian has also been busy on the roof.  The access for the toilet pump out had been mistakenly positioned off centre but that would not have allowed the installation of solar cells.

Ian has now cut a new hole on the centre line and filled in the old one. I’m sure you’ll never see the old hole once its carefully filled and painted.

The batteries have been delivered since our last visit.  Ian carefully carried them in and positioned them under the rear bunk beds.

The batteries continue under the base of the wardrobes which will have a false floor.

They are very heavy and a similar weight of ballast has been stacked under the other bunks on the opposite side of the boat to keep it level.

I believe that someone from Thames electric visited on Wednesday to start the wiring and to confirm the measurements for the mounting frame for the electric motor.

I must check with them to see if everything is going well.

We also discussed the colours.  It’s going to be number 29 on the Epifanes colour chart.  That’s a medium blue to you and me.

The name panel will be the same maroon and lettering as the Waterway Routes logo, which rather gives away the name of the boat - Waterway Routes.

The lining will be a light cream with the same scalloped corners as the logo.

I should be in the paint tunnel next time we visit, probably with the undercoats applied.  We’ll have to be careful with all that wet paint around.

The delivery date in the contract is 31st March but it’s unlikely it will be finished by then.  Hopefully we will get a better estimate of how late it will be next time we visit.

Posted on Friday, February 23, 2007 at 19:09        Comments (1)
Category(s): Build our Boat

Latest Build Progress

           

Posted on Friday, February 9, 2007 at 22:34        Comments (0)
Category(s): Build our Boat

Measuring Day

Back to Fenny Compton again today to see just how far the build has progressed.  First we had to deliver the electric control lever I had collected from Thames Electric yesterday and I can be seen holding it roughly in place near the stern of the boat.

Then we spent time with Ian, the builder, discussing the sizes for the trolley to hold the printer and scanner which can just be seen resting in place.  They will pull out from under the dinette on a trolley when in use at the desk (still to be built) and slide back under the dinette when not in use.

Then Chris arrived from Elite Furnishings.  They will be making the soft furnishings for the boat.  All the mattresses for the bunks and the dinette, and the curtains for the windows.  First we had to choose the colours and fabrics from the samples and settled on the same, lightly patterned fabric for the dinette cushions and mattresses. 

Then, just when I though we were winning, I was reminded that we now had to choose colours for the curtains. 

So many different samples to choose from it seemed to take a long time - but Chris said we were nowhere near the worst for making decisions.

Then we needed to decide on the foam for the cushions and mattresses.  There was thick foam, thin foam, bouncy foam, spongy foam, soft foam …. well we sat on the samples, lay on the samples, held the samples and … eventually … settled on different foams for the bunks and the dinette.

Then Chris took all the measurements with her trusty expanding Stanley rule and wrote them all down carefully on her notepad.  Now all we need to do is sit back and wait.  They will all be delivered when the boat is (almost) finished.

Posted on Friday, January 26, 2007 at 23:04        Comments (0)
Category(s): Build our Boat

Thames Electric Decisions

With work progressing well on the main build of the boat it was time to visit Emrhys and Ian at Thames Electric to finalise the plans for the electric traction for the boat.  In addition to the conventional diesel engine (a Beta Marine 43 horse power engine) there will be an electric motor fed from batteries.

Some of the time we will run the diesel to propel the boat and charge the batteries at the same time.  The rest of the time we will use just the electric motor powered from the batteries allowing filming for our DVDs to take place with less noise and vibration from the conventional diesel engine.

This will also be ideal in locks when there is no need to shout instructions above the noise of the engine - and when we are “idling” the electric motor is simply idle and consuming no power.

The photos show the control lever which will be mounted on the control pedestal near the conventional diesel control lever and the electric motor, with the clutch alongside.

I’m amazed every time I see just how small one of these motors is.  It’s rated at 8kW, that’s nearly 11 horse power, for continuous use and that’s ample for narrow boats which used to be powered by horses rated at 1 horse power.

The motor, batteries and associated electrical systems are all being designed and fitted by Thames Electric who will install them at a mutually convenient time while our own builder is completing the conventional parts of the boat.

This was the first time I had met Ian and I discovered he used to work in television so I’m hoping some of those skills will rub off for producing our DVDs.

Posted on Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 22:34        Comments (0)
Category(s): Build our Boat

Build Progress

Yesterday we visited our boat again to see progress with the build.  As more of the partitions are built it becomes harder to photograph on each trip, but here are some of the boat as it is now.

The first aims to show the arrangements to the bunk beds mentioned by Sue on her No Problem Bog.  The top bunk can be positioned either immediately above the bottom bunk (shown in the photo) or on the upper runners immediately below window level.

The top bunk is the full width and sticks out about 10 cm (4 inches) in the upper position and a flap hinges out from the wardrobe to stop anyone running into the end when in position at night.  During the day it is lifted down into the position shown in the photo when it no longer sticks out.

Both upper and lower bunks can still be left made up in this position.  If we don’t need both bunks then we can simply sleep on the upper bunk when in the lower position.  I hope that all makes sense.

Next is a photo from inside the front door looking backwards.  The lengths of wood are lying across what will be the raised dinette.  Ian has promised that will be largely finished in the next two weeks so we can get Elite Furnishings to visit with us to measure up for all the soft furnishings and bring samples for us to choose the fabrics and colours.

Beyond the dinette is the kitchen where Ian has is cutting machine (shown in the third photo) positioned while he works on the boat.

Bottom left is a photo from the dinette looking forwards.  The panel under the door will lift off to allow access to the storage area under the cockpit floor.

Bottom right is the engine, still in its delivery crate, awaiting fitting. The engine should be fitted in the next few weeks.

 

Posted on Saturday, January 13, 2007 at 13:32        Comments (0)
Category(s): Build our Boat

Off Centre

Friday was our first chance to visit the boat since work had started again on the build.

The boat was temporarily inside which made it rather dark for photographing, although rather warmer for working on the boat.

The television aerial is in place, kept on the centre line to maximise the space available for fitting solar panels when they come down in price.

As the price of diesel is just about to double when red diesel is no longer available they may be fitted sooner then we were planning.

Unfortunately the pump out point was not fitted on the centre line of the roof and I need to take the measurements for the solar panels on the next visit to see if we can work around this if if we need to get pump out point repositioned.

The inside is lined out and most of the partitions in place so photographing is very difficult.

A lot of the wiring and plumbing is in place with wiring poking out of the spaces for the sockets.  This wiring will be in the electrical cupboard just inside the stern where the inverters etc. will be positioned.

Posted on Friday, December 8, 2006 at 16:25        Comments (0)
Category(s): Build our Boat

The hull has been corrected

Good news today.  After an unexpected gap at work I was able to visit Fenny Compton to see the work which had been carried out on our hull over the last few days.

The front edge to the front cockpit has been reshaped so there is now room for two people to sit side by side on the seat as originally planned.  There will be a false inside edge to allow a little greater depth to the seat so we can sit comfortably side by side.  It’s left an unusual shape but that will hardly show once the cratch is in place.

Front Cockpit

Before alterations (left)

After alterations (right)

At the stern, the panel for the controls has been recessed. As originally built anyone walking in and out of the stern was likely to catch on the engine control lever but this will be less likely now.

Control Panel

Before alterations (left)

After alterations (right)

Posted on Thursday, November 23, 2006 at 16:33        Comments (0)
Category(s): Build our Boat

The build is progressing

We visited the boat again at the Stephen Goldsbrough Boats (SGB) base at Fenny Compton to see how much progress had been made and took lots of photographs.  Click on the thumbnail photos for a larger image.

The first photo is looking towards the stern.  The forward berths will be on the right hand side at the front of the picture with wardrobes opposite.  Just to the rear of the berths will be the small bathroom, then the washing machine and cupboards between the small bathroom and the rear wall.  Opposite the second bathroom will be the second berths on the left hand side as we look.

The second picture is taken from further forwards, but still looking towards the stern.  The space at the front right corner of the photo will be the dinette.  Further back on the right will be the kitchen, with the sliding window for feeding the ducks and letting the heat out.  The opening side hatch is opposite the kitchen.  Beyond the kitchen is the main bathroom, then the bedrooms.

The third picture shows the outside view of the boat.  You can see the bows start to slope upwards from the front of the cabin.  The drawing shows these remaining level, following the line of the gunwale, until the cratch (which will be just in front of the t-bollards).  This raised height of the bows will reduce the forward view.

The fourth picture shows the front cockpit.  The locker will have a lid which will become a seat.  The plans for the boat show the forward cockpit being 4 feet 6 inches long but it has been built just 4 feet long and this reduces the seating space.

The fifth picture shows the stern of the boat, looking forwards.  The doors to the rear cabin are in the center of the picture.  The lockers on each side will have a top which will form a seat.  The raised area on the right forms a step to make it easy to get on and off the roof.  At the front left of the picture is the panel for the controls to be fitted.  The plans shows this recessed so that the controls will not be accidentally knocked by someone walking in or out of the boat.  The panel is not recessed and when we asked we were told the whole of the port (left) side had been recessed instead.  The picture shows it is symmetrical and it looks just the same as the starboard (right) side and we don’t understand what has happened.  Requests for further explanation have not produced any response.

We are disappointed that the hull does not match the drawings in three areas we had specifically discussed and agreed with SGB during the design and which had been recorded on the contractual drawings.  Despite requests, we have not had any explanation of why this has happened.

Stephen Goldsbrough Boats (SGB) have stopped work on the boat and are expecting us to make a full stage payment despite the three significant defects and the stage not being satisfactorily completed.  We have made many offers to compromise about the defects but SGB still insist on full stage payment.

 

 

 

 

Posted on Wednesday, October 25, 2006 at 16:55        Comments (0)
Category(s): Build our Boat

Building the Insides

We visited Fenny Compton today, to see the boat for the first time since arrival of the hull 2 weeks ago.

The windows had been fitted and, for some reason, that makes it look much more like a boat than an empty hull.

Inside, the insulation had been fitted to the walls and roof, with Ian just finishing some of the fiddly curved bits of insulation near the stern.  There was a temporary floor in place and the partitions were loosely fitted giving us the first feeling for how the space would work.

I’m glad to say it matched our expectations.  I was always a little worried that the front saloon would be too small and it is small, but not too small.

The partition which forms the back of the desk was in place at 4′6" high so we could see just how that looked.  It had accidentally crept up on the later revisions of the drawing from the original 4′ high and we wondered just what the right height should be.  It certainly needs to be less than 4′6".

We had a discussion with Ian about the size of the base for the shower,  then a discussion about tiles when Ian expressed his preference for large ones as they are quicker to fix and much less grouting.

Posted on Monday, October 16, 2006 at 20:06        Comments (0)
Category(s): Build our Boat

No Problem visits our Boat

I was delighted to receive an email from Sue on No Problem yesterday evening.  Sue, Vic and Lucy are cruising southwards on the Southern Oxford Canal and passed the marina where our boat is being built.

They stopped off to look at the boat and have a chat with Ian about progress.  They took several photographs and Sue kindly uploaded them to her website and emailed me a link so I could download them.  So here are some of them - Thank you Sue.

The windows are all fitted along the sides which makes it look more like a boat than just a hull.  The windows at the front are waiting for the windows to be made from templates to match the cut-out shapes exactly.

The insulation is fitted to the inside and that is what Vic and Ian are discussing in the photos.  The mushrooms are also fitted along the center line of the roof.

We will be visiting next Monday so we should see even more progress then.

Posted on Friday, October 13, 2006 at 20:11        Comments (0)
Category(s): Build our Boat

The Hull is Launched

We launched the boat today - well at least the hull.

We got up early and left home about 05:00 to ensure we were at Reeves before our boat was to be craned onto the lorry.  They guaranteed that this would not be before 08:00.

There was even less traffic than anticipated and we arrived at 07:30, which is just as well as the crane was already parked with the outriggers in place and the jib was just being raised.  The boat was soon lifted up, the lorry backed in underneath and the boat lowered gently and secured in place - all before 08:00.

We dashed ahead of the lorry to film it passing through Stockton village.  The lorry has to go the long way round to avoid the hump back bridge over the canal.  Then we followed it south it down the A423 before turning into Cropredy.  It was craned into the water and we were left with our shell in the canal.

A quick phone call confirmed that Ian and Ron weren’t far away in Ron’s boat heading south to collect the hull and I walked up to meet them at Cropredy lock.  Ron winded his boat and ours was soon hitched up behind for the journey north.

We travelled with them to help work the pair of boats through the 8 locks and 5 miles to Fenny Compton where the boat will be fitted out.   There is no access for a crane at Fenny Compton and Cropredy is the nearest place with suitable access.

Now the boat is safely moored at Fenny Compton and Ian is waiting for the windows to arrive from Channelglaze.  Once they are in place and the shell is watertight he can start fitting out the inside.

 

—– oo OO oo —–

 

If you read the last blog you will remember we had a problem with the bows being constructed too high.  If you look at the last picture on today’s blog you will see the drawing and a photo of the bows side by side.  The gunwale (that’s the horizontal line below the windows) is clearly drawn straight from the front of the cabin to the cratch (that’s half way to the bows).  It was built with it sloping upwards by 3-4 inches.  The whole of the forward section of the bows are 3-4 inches too high and that blocks the forward view which we so carefully specified not to be blocked.

We were assured that it would make little difference once the boat was in the water and ballasted to its proper depth.  I looked from inside the shell today while it was in the water.  I know it isn’t ballasted to the proper depth yet, but I think makes a big difference now and I think it still will when it’s finished.

And now the stern area has been completed we’ve found that the recessed panel for the controls has not been recessed - so that’s not correct either.

 

—– oo OO oo —–

 

If you think you’ve seen the fourth picture before then compare this with Granny Buttons

Posted on Monday, October 2, 2006 at 20:18        Comments (0)
Category(s): Build our Boat