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Website started 24th February 2000

Battening outer Forward Cabin Sides. Getting the original Rudder & Shaft out. March/April 1993.

5/3/93 to 7/3/93

Gave it a miss. Fitting new worktop's in our kitchen and our home is in a mess. In the midst of Job hunting we are now preparing for having to sell up and move. 

13/3/93

Beautiful sunny day. Set to sanding down the forward cabin frontage with the belt sander, and by hand. Everyone possible turned out today in the field, looking busy. John H was going to cut the grass. We are not spending any more time on the tractor or cutting the grass now. We will just cut around the workshop with our hovver mower if needed. We had been cutting the whole field, and raking up the grass and burning it, as complimentary to Les H. The neighbours commented a few times how nice we used to keep it. For the rest of today concentration was distracted , with all the activity. We hardly did much. Took off as we needed to visit a Tool Shop for a special bit to give a 9.5mm countersunk hole for plugging. Purchased a flat bit which would hopefully do the job. Arrived back and having decided that the cabin sides are to be latted as per the cabin front, we set to cutting up the last plank of 40mm depth. Really there had not been enough thick lumber. It will do the forward cabin sides anyway - will need to see about the main cabin sides. Cut three strips , out of each will be cut 4 lattes. Most of the original plank is now gone, and the three strips planed down to 40mm thickness, The idea of latting the cabin sides further increases the strength ratio , and also helps to prevent splitting which would otherwise occur with a single piece of lumber. It also increases thermal qualities and sound qualities etc.

14/3/93

Set to cutting 2 of the 3 strips planed last night, into 4 lattes each. Then proceeded to plane down 6 lattes to 12mm. Two other lattes were slightly larger - took them down to 15mm. Realised now we need more microfibres and some Epoxy. Rang round several places and being a Sunday, only one chandlery had any West Epoxy. Took off and returned £75 worse off. We had decided to buy a large 6kg pack of Epoxy. In worked out 5 smaller 1kg boxes for price of 4. Started cutting up the lattes for the cabin side. In the end we planed down the two thicker lattes to 12mm. Decided the side lattes on the cabin side will be better all the same thickness. John H here today to try get tractor running. With him was Ray, a mechanic who got the tractor going. Time was then getting on. John H left, but Ray stayed and chatted for an hour. Problem is people. We appreciate the genuine interest when they come to talk to us, but they are really stopping us from working. After Ray left, proceeded to shape the lattes for the cabin port and starboard sides. Need to get some 15mm length stainless steel screws for the job, to enable tighter bonds where the cabin sides are not quite faired properly. Emptied all the Epoxy and resin into the BIG containers. Now we are set up for lots of Epoxy jobs.

15/3/93

Took off first thing for some screws, then fastened the portside cabin lattes in place. Shaped them, bent them, pushed them and screwed them into place. By 14:00pm just the uppermost latte to cut, shape and fit. Our boat is going to be too good to go in the water and get wet. Epoxied up all these lattes - not without nearly burning the place down. One needs to work fast with the Epoxy, and not to mix too much. Epoxy and Resin react to create heat, and too much and it will burst into flames. Had to watch for signs of smoke from the pot and quickly throw it out on to the grass. Practise tells us how much to make up, and keep stirring it if need be. In this case we had made too much at once, and could not work fast enough at a time. Just managed to complete what we were doing by mixing more Epoxy, i.e. before the original had gone off. Then we needed some fresh air, and a good cup of tea, followed by a sleep afterwards. It is worth doing the lattes down the cabin sides. After all the first view of a boat is the deck, cabin sides and the mast.

Portside forward cabin side battens being shaped and fitted	Where the Forward cabin meets Main cabin several battens are to be fixed at right angles	Portside Forward cabin battens fixed and cleaned up

20/3/93

Belt sanded, hand sanded, orbital sanded and planed down the lattes epoxied onto cabin side last week. Noticed wood in the maststep beam area is drying out. We should have nailed each piece together as we went along. Need to press on and get the second ply down on the deck to seal it. Proceeded to sand down the starboard exterior side of the forward cabin, and prepare lattes for fixing to starboard. Fixed in place the lattes with screws, after drilling and preparing plugs, then set to the Epoxy palaver. Plugs are very awkward as one's gloves are stuck up with Epoxy, and one has to pick up single plugs, turn then correct way round, and ensure coated with Epoxy, and insert into the hole. This time though we only did 2 lattes at a time. Even this was a race against time, but was more manageable. This is the least time we want anyone coming over to talk to us.

21/3/93

Epoxy gone off, but needs the sun's heat today to finally cure it. By midday it had gone off enough to sand. That was using only 2 plunges of hardener to 3 plunges of resin. Sanded down the starboard lattes, then finished off cleaning up the portside. Cannot Epoxy on the lattes in the position of the maststep beam because work still needed on the inside of the cabin side. Had also sanded down the starboard deck lip ready for another coat of Epoxy in the dug out areas. Decided earlier to use 3 screws + 3 gripfast nails either side edge of maststep beam, then the shorter lattes were cut and shaped for the cabin side aft of forward cabin to meet the main cabin. These were screwed into place, vertically. Too late to Epoxy tonight.

Starboard Forward cabin battens fixed in place and being sanded	Additional fixings being put in around the Deck Wedge Beam area...	Then portside, and starboard, upright battens fixed into position up to Main Cabin

22/3/93

Early rise this morning. Ruth had interview today 15:00pm, so she had standing bath and washed her hair in the freezing workshop. Brrrrrr. Cold wind today but sun shining. Set to preparation for Epoxy, then started epoxying. Only 6/7 short lengths of lattes but it was again a battle against time to glue and screw into place each one in turn, plus plugging as well. Made it then quickly cleared up and took off for the Interview.

27/3/93 to 28/3/93

Lane at Lythe Garden being dug up therefore we knew access would be blocked so we gave the boat a miss. John H is having water laid to the field.

3/4/93 to 4/4/93

Water pipes now laid down the lane but the trench not yet filled in therefore access still blocked. Gave this weekend a miss on the boat. Instead we painstakingly continued painting our home throughout ready for a possible sell-up, plus checked and replaced all the ceiling light wiring, using the petrol money we had saved from not going to the boat.

Had a phone call mid week from John H regarding the lane. All was completed but during the week torrential rain had flooded the lane and the neighbours garden and fish pond. The goldfish thought it was paradise. We decided to give it until Saturday, then drive down in the day light to assess the situation. It was good Friday anyway therefore traffic would be busy on the Friday anyway.

10/4/93

The Lane was not too bad provided you did not stop. Noticed though regarding our workshop

a. Cord undone on our tarpaulin doorway at the top of steps. We tie it a special way.

b. Nail and Ply piece was laid on bench - having been removed from our tarpaulin doorway.

c. Tarpaulin near workshop door was slack, whereas we leave it taught with a old tyre against it.

d. The letterbox was open and the padlock down.

all hinting someone had been up to look at the boat in our absence.

Cup of Tea was first on the agenda, then check the boat over. John H arrived an hour later with a stomper to flatten the lane, and then left. His wife, did not look very happy though. Could not start work now, and weather going too cold and raining. We need to reacclimatize after two weekends off. 

11/4/93

Set to sanding down the forward cabin portside lattes we had epoxied up last. Sanded down the starboard hull lip ready for another coat of Epoxy in the voids. John H stopped for a chat  and during course of conversation mentioned some strange woman in a red car, who had called on the neighbour there, asking on behalf of the Captains wife, how the boat was getting on, she was coming over shortly !!. This may sound reasonable, but you have to bear in mind that this lady does not live in this country, and has not been in this country since the early eighties. From conversations with the Captain, the original owner of the hull, his wife's only friends in England lived in London, which is long way away. Now you see why we are stumped and concerned. Anyway we must get :-

a. Insurance

b. survey on hull condition

c. sort out our paperwork, ready for come what may

Could this be a neighbourhood ploy to worry us and try to get us moving faster, or a late April fool. Whatever wasthe idea it had the opposite effect because we near enough spent the rest of the day talking it over, and deciding what to do if we have to move the boat quick. Not to be deterred too much though we decided must get the deck finished so we could cascover it to enable it to be weatherproof. Sanded down the hatch area forward and epoxied in the hatch frame, and added another coat of Epoxy on the hull starboard lip. Visited the neighbour there this afternoon. At first she could not recall the incident, but then she remembered it was her gardener, who was working in the garden, when a red car had pulled up. Woman was driving and bloke got out and asked the gardener about the boat, as the Captain's wife was coming over to England. We asked if the Gardener would pop up and see us. Hopefully he would be around tomorrow, to find out what was really said !, or if indeed it really is true !. Even the Captain himself knew nothing of this !. All very odd. Went for a drink in the evening, then went for kebab, only to find it had closed down completely !. Whatever can go wrong next against us ?. Our luck must turn somewhere/sometime. Note for the book :- John H had had the water pipe laid up the lane and a tap put in the field but he was not turning it on yet as that would incur standing charges and he did not want to incur bills at the moment !.

12/4/93

John H here before we got up at 9:30am!. Decided to dress for working on the boat, and hang around a while in case the gardener turned up. By noon no sign of him so decided to nip down to a local Boat Jumble. Locked everything up, including John H's bottom shed, as he had popped out a while as well. Need to lock up at all times now - cannot be too careful. Spent 2 hours walking around the Jumble, in wellington's, and the sun shone all afternoon. Picked up some large Epoxy dispensers, which turned out to be screw on tops - better made than the smaller version. Discovered a chap selling perspex and it turns out he lived local. It made our day. Must order some from him for the hatch. He did not have a piece the size with him, but reckoned it would be about £12, and should last up to 6 years, environment permitting. Picked up four stainless steel bolts, hopefully to bolt the hatch frame down so it cannot be removed from the outside!. Lance suffering bad backache and needed a rest. It can be a nuisance with other people around when we are at the boat. We feel compelled that we should be doing something physical & visable, even though a lot of our work is thinking and planning, and then nearly always each person stops for a chat before they leave. John H asked if we had got an engine for the boat ?. Not everyone understands how we get up mid morning, and then work right through until late evening without any real lunch break. Somedays we are working at it for 12 hours. Not to mention the rests needed when Lance feels unwell, which cannot be predicted . It was difficult having missed two weekends on the boat, to get back into the full swing. Ended up just marking off the forward coachroof where the three pieces of ply will go. Cannot use one piece because of the compound camber. 

17/4/93

Started today on removing the rudder. In case we would have to move the boat we decided best to remove the rudder. In different surroundings our only option may be to have the boat hoisted 5/6 feet above ground level - costly job. Getting the rudder and shaft out (it is all one piece), needed a clear five foot hole beneath the boat. Having the rudder out  then we could look into having it cut out and recessed. We dug out the five foot hole. Not easy as it had to be five foot down and under the hull at the same angle as the shaft. Luckily, the hole had already been dug out once many years ago, and it meant that the soil was still fairly loose. Ruth really got stuck in. Soil down her trousers, down her neck, everywhere, not to mention the dust involved. Took just over an hour to do. Drilled out the bolts, then carefully prised the rudder shoe bracket from the hull. It had mastic between, which was still soft. What a weight the rudder was, and it was a challenge for us trying to manoeuvre it out of the hole, over the heap of soil, ducking under the hull, round the bend to avoid the workshop, down some steps, and out onto the workbench. We have both got bad backs now. The Rudder Shoe appears to be A2. Very slight magnetism. Leaving the Rudder for now, cut and shaped the centre piece of ply for the forward cabin coach roof deck. Screwing it into place first before fixing it permanently. Had hoped that considering the compound camber, that the ply could be screwed down without having to put any screws through the deck ply inserts. The small 3/4" stainless steel screws would not hold though , thus we ended up having to penetrate through the deck ply in the heads and gangway area, and later we will need to insert some battening on the underside of the ply to conceal the screw threads. Epoxied in place the ply section and screwed it down. Hope it all sticks well. John H did not seem so enthusiastic about life today. We ideally need to get through this summer in order to complete the decking before contemplating moving the boat.

The six foot hole to enable rudder and shaft to be removed	Rudder and shaft on the workbench	Centre, 2nd(top) layer of ply on Forward coachroof

18/4/93

Decided to make a start on the rudder section. Do as much as possible here, before take it home i.e. chopping out and grinding. John H here, quiet again, and not so sure about all the extra work we are incurring on the rudder. How long is that going to take ?. Unless you are a boatie the problem with it cannot be appreciated. Decided to do a good job whilst doing it and as well as allow for clearance for the shaft to pass the rudder, make more space for propeller movement at the bottom. This meant chopping a fair piece out of the rudder to enable the stainless steel structure to be ground and cut back. Chopped out totally about 2 ft of the rudder pole. Then 'Oak' from one side of the rudder chopped out, and half of grinding complete. What a honk whilst grinding - steel, wood, mastic and whatever else went into making up the rudder. Cleaned up the rudder shoe of mastic and areas of surface rust. Remaining rudder steel structure ground back to where it needs to be. Need to be careful with the rudder now, because of the weight and a middle section of the pole is now missing. Then cut out and chopped out the 'Oak' on the other side of the rudder. The edges just need trimming now. Luckily there are three cross bands of stainless steel within the area that has been chopped out so should be a good strong joint again after welding completed. Need to take it home for security and try to get the work done. Something else to put in the lounge. Missed the next weekend due to another job interview appointment. No success so far. Some second interviews here and there, but no offers yet.

Making a start on chopping out a section of 'Oak' and Shaft		Shaft section removed. Need to clean up and assess things

20/4/93

Ruth had a Interview not too far from the Boat today, so we had popped down to the boat on the Wednesday. All appeared to be in order in the shed. No disturbance.

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