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Website started 24th February 2000

Levelling up the Hull. Epoxy coating on bare timber. Battling against the weather. September 1994.

26/08/94.

Had some tea, then contemplated on next action. Decided to assess  how level the boat was in her new position. It transpired she was 2.5degrees out i.e. bow down. This is approx 3.69" out in 84". We needed to jack up the whole setup, up forward about 4". It is quite a height. Could not lift the boat itself, it had to be the metal cradle flat that was lifted. Lifting the wooden cradle would generate more than enough timbers to be chocked and blocked of which access to is difficult. The ground is a form of rock/gravel and the flat itself will weigh a ton. We have not got any jack suitable and capable of such a lift. Tried using wedges sat on Marine plywood, but having no sledgehamer with us, only a lump hammer, and hours of knocking and banging we only moved and lifted the cradle say ½". It was pointless continuing this way, we needed a proper jack, say a toe jack. Tried ringing the local hire place (the yard lads don’t work Saturday), and it was 13:00pm, they shut at 12:30pm on Saturdays. We will have to leave it for this week and arrange something for next weekend. Then we progressed with the cradle boxing in. What a lot of timber there was whilst we had it scattered around. It must have all looked a mess initially to other people, but in time they will see how tidy we normally are. It was about 20:00pm when we had finally finished the boxing in the cradle sides with sterling board sheets. Changed into Jeans and decent jumper then hopped over to the bar. It was pitch black, and we realized a torch is what we need now. The cut through the yard to the bar is rock/gravel and is not too pleasant when you have had a hard day on your feet. Ordered two chicken curries, which turned out to be to our taste, and they were delicious – recommendable. The night looked pleasant and we decided not to cover the boat. We did not seem to have done much today – but we had wasted a lot of time trying to level the boat.

Bought some sterling board sheets and boxed in the cradle to make timber storage area underneath. Not ideal but all we could do at present.	What a lot of Timber !	Aft end of the cradle. Long lengths of mahogany stored in the cradle underneath stuck out by 6' or so. The ends were wrapped up in the blue tarpaulin and looked more like the boom !

27/8/94

It had rained last night – would you credit it. Not too much though – but enough to collect on deck, and enter all the hatches, collecting on the stringers. We got out the third sheet of sterling board and set to boxing in the forward end of the cradle. The Cradle is not square. But then what is square with a boat anyway ?. Having roughly shaped the board to the hull,  it left a largish gap which afterwards, we decided to utilize the pieces we had left and scribe a 6" curved length to the Hull, and screw this to the newly fitted front pieces, both sides of the hull. It helped strengthen the inner edges anyway. After wards had an idea of using pipe lagging – which already has a split down it, and put this over the edge of the sterling board forward, up against the hull. This would help seal the gap to keep out as much water as possible. Over tea had idea of calling the boat Jewel, but pronounced Jewelle. But then we suggested spelling it as it is pronounced then people would spell it correctly especially in Mayday situations. Once the cradle frontage was boxed in – got out all the starboard timber from out of the cradle – mostly mahogany – plus all the lengths of mahogany out of the boat. Put the longest lengths in first. They protruded a good 5/6’ out of the cradle, but they were to be supported by the old empty acetone can, on its side. Once wrapped up to protect from the rain, it looked like it could be a boom laid there. All the rest of the mahogany was then neatly stacked inside the cradle. It has made quite a neat cupboard area of 9’ x 4’. Now it really does look neat, although we cannot see at all what we have got in there. To take all this time on the cradle tells people a lot about the time taken on the boat itself. By the time we had finished only three smaller boxes where left to be stood aft on the metal cradle. The sheets of plywood were tidied up and an old length of table top placed next to the hull – to prevent further damage to the hull on sliding out the sheets from underneath. Then the tarpaulins where stuffed and placed over the aft end of the cradle in the rudder area, and once the tarpaulin put over the boat the sash cord was ran around the cradle to hold all the tarpaulin in place. Another very long day and we were sure ready for some sleep after getting a chinese tonight. We were not taking any chances with rain tonight and covered her up. We have both been surprised today – pleasantly - at how quiet the yard is. Businesses are open Saturday morning – but there is hardly anyone else working on their boat like us at this time of year.

28/8/94

Contemplated plans for today and decided best action would be to concentrate on the beam piece for the starboard companionway coachroof. Cut the starboard aft end of the main cabin side to the same as portside. This was a job and a half like the portside was because the cockpit sides were fitted in place. It took time with the big saw, but we managed it.  It was sunny, with odd threatening showers, and generally very windy. It is drying out the timber badly, especially after getting it wet recently. We prepared the sash cords in the tarpaulin eyelets, ready in case it did suddenly downpour. Drawback of being outside like this is keep on having to put tools away especially electrical tools and also until we get a proper extension cord made up longer than the one we have, we need to wrap the socket connection up in a plastic bag. Lots of activity on the River to keep us amused. We have totally lost all sense of days since we have been here. Must remember to go home tomorrow. Apart from the few drawbacks here, we are both feeling it is like a holiday and given the money we could get used to being here and working full time. It is a bonus to have showers and toilets and hot water right to hand. Cold water is also to hand – no more filling of water containers etc. And no more rubbish to cart home – just deposit in the bins to hand. By 17:30pm we had got the beam shaped and cut to length, then routered it for seating in the deck ply, then holes were drilled and countersunk for 5 x 1 ½" s/s screws. Then the face of the cabin mahogany was sanded down. Something else we have got to watch as well is the sawdust & shavings. They blow all over in the wind, and is annoying when it gets in our eyes. Really need goggles on. The beam was then epoxied into place and plugs put into the 5 holes, then the leftover epoxy was painted on as many exposed corners, edges and joints as it would do. Need to try and protect as much of the end joints from cracking as possible. Had to mix the epoxy in the boat, because micro-fibres blowing away. Too late now to continue epoxying down the starboard coach-roof deck ply. It will not have gone off in time for covering with a tarpaulin. Decided to stay tonight and try epoxy down the coach roof ply tomorrow. It was Bank Holiday Monday tomorrow. So far we have only used 9p of electric. It is going to save us lot compared to previously – we were paying the standing charge as well. Managed to do some filming today. This is more awkward now as cannot leave the camera unattended and there are fewer places to stand it for filming.

29/8/94

Sanded down the starboard main cabin coach roof, and the portside plus the centre section. Then  epoxied and fastened in place the starboard main cabin coachroof ply. Once we had cleaned that up, mixed just epoxy resin and hardener and tried out the roller, covering all three pieces of deck ply on the main cabin coachroof with a thin covering of epoxy. It is all in effort to protect the wood as best as possible against the elements. We had just rolled the epoxy onto the coachroof and thinking of doing a 2^nd coat just before it has gone off, and a big dark cloud appears and spots of rain. If only it could have waited just an hour. Waited few minutes, but then decided to drag the tarpaulin over before it ruined the epoxy. Wasn’t long before the sun came out again and we were able to uncover it again. It was 15:00pm now. The epoxy is going off well. We have washed down the front of the hull, to remove water stains and mould etc. Tidies it up a touch. Re-arranging things, we have stored all the epoxy gear except the resin up forward in the boat. Once we have boxed in the steps we will be able to leave the acetone here as well. We are getting ourselves setup very well, given our circumstances. Now to prepare sheets for final cover-up before off for home. Boy we were tired tonight. Still life has got to go on and Ruth is back to work in the morning.

3/9/94

Went to remove the tarpaulin today, to discover rain had collected and pulled the tarpaulin into the starboard hatch holes. Had to bucket it out then just pulled the aft end of the tarpaulin, over forward end of the boat. Weather did not look too promising and decided not to remove the sheet completely. However, persistent rain like this means we cannot get on therefore, over tea contemplated making a gantry around the companionway hatch, over which to pull the tarpaulin. Rain came down heavy again and we had to pull the sheet aft over the cockpit. If only we could have afforded to have been inside one of the sheds.  We had a length of softwood about 3m in length which would be ideal for the Gantry port to starboard. Cut a piece of wood into two lengths and used these two as uprights. Needed to drill two holes each side of the companionway hatch, on the cabin side, to hold the two uprights erect, then after covering the cross-piece with a strip of carpet 4" wide, screwed it across the two uprights. We had just erected the gantry, when down came the rain again. Quickly pulled the tarpaulin over the gantry and aft over the boat. It was several feet short really to reach way over the aft deck. Over tea contemplated next action, because as it was now the wind was creating a scoop forward of the gantry and putting great pressure on the gantry. Once rain eased, got the blue sheet rope – tied a loop halfway and wrapped the loop around the bow of the hull, both ends coming back one each side of the gantry, then pulled the tarpaulin back over. The rope did keep the tarpaulin up somewhat and reduced the windage. Secured the tarpaulin again aft – leaving it free just over the steps. This generated a tunnel port/starboard and with the tiller lifted up it helped to keep the tarpaulin taught aft. It is most depressing to have to faff about doing all this – and it put a real damper on everything We were feeling wet and damp. There is a lot of pressure on us at the moment to adapt to the surroundings, battling and fighting the elements, and the new routine to be established for working etc. Temperature not up to much today either. The tarpaulin though made quite a cosy den on deck. The flapping of the tarpaulin was far from music to the ears. It does get quite irritating after a while. We persevered though, deciding now where we were going to start. Cockpit area is the obvious point. Small amount of water in the bilges was mopped up. Measured up and dragged out from under the cradle our last piece of 12mm Thames marine plywood. Set it up on the workmate and cut two lengths for port and starboard cockpit seating area  deck-ply. Getting these large pieces of ply on deck, through the tarpaulin at the top of the steps was fun. We wriggled and squeezed through. The ply was scribed to the cockpit sides and back, then by now time was getting on and needed a light rigging up, hung from the gantry. It did rain further but there was no immediate panic as we were undercover. Awkward for Lance sanding down in the cockpit area because there is no flooring/sole yet and nothing but a big drop into the bilges. Used the router to take down the cockpit well sides – upper edge – level with the cockpit inner deck area. Then needed plane and chisel to finish off the corners where the router could not get. Hoovered up all the dust before it got trampled further. At least we had been able to get on and do something. Knocked off about 20;00pm and went for curry in the Marina Bar. It is just to our taste and it made  us so hot afterwards we were gasping for fresh air again.

	After deck now 2nd layer plyed, and epoxied over to help protect from the weather.

4/9/94

Very pleasant start to the day. Sun bearing down on the van. Very encouraging and stimulating. Being where we are now makes us feel happier, even to get up. Before it was nagging – what and who would turn up to bother us ?. Sometimes here, we think we could get so engrossed in watching others on the river, we would not get any work done. This weekend appears to be a Classic Boat Rally. Seen a lot of old Gaffers etc, with the old coloured sails, pass us going up river. Later on watched a largish (40’ er) Yacht trying to pick up their mid-stream mooring buoy. It took them four attempts. Then they have to row ashore after. Definitely not what we want. Too much like hard work and all the palaver. Took the tarpaulin off the boat but just aft. We were playing cautious. Removed the cockpit well sides, having marked below to cut off enough to be able to use some foam underneath to laminate them in later. Also we want to make a drain hole in each locker. After last week, the water that had collected on the tarpaulin had been seeping through. It is not totally waterproof under strain. We removed the upper ply from the stringers below and there was some water there on the port side – left over from the other week There may be some under the other ply we had fixed in place but not yet sealed the edges - needs checking. Sanded down the cockpit well  sides and the two pieces of ply from below – to best remove the water stains. We marked up the cockpit pieces of deck-ply for the positions of the beams, the positions of the hatch cut-outs and the positions of the existing screws. At this point we spotted whom we thought was Gary H and his wife walking past. They did not stop or acknowledge but walked onto the launch slipway and sat gazing at the river and the boats. Curiosity had finally for the better of them and to go reporting back over Sunday lunch. It was only just after midday now. We were cutting out the hatch patterns of the cockpit deck ply, when Gary H and his wife walked back, at a distance , stopped and then left. Placed the cut ply in the cockpit – and a difference it makes to cover the last of the visible deck-ply inserts. We had wanted to get these deck-ply pieces epoxied into place before leaving for home. Drilled out for screws and nails and put several screws in place. If epoxying it all in then needed to cut out two short lengths for forward and aft of the after locker hatch area. The after locker hatch sides extended over into the side deck pieces of ply. Cut these two small pieces and screwed into place. Decided upon not leaving the gantry erected during the week and therefore unscrewed it and removed the light. Wind was picking up, temperature dropping and spits of rain prompted us to cover up the forward end of the boat with the tarpaulin. We had changed the tying up procedure so many times, we still tied ourselves in knots and we really had insufficient sash cords. Must have been half hour or so messing about. By this time it was gone 18:00pm. Too late to start epoxying. Now to faff about getting the tarpaulin over aft. Put pieces of carpet over the main cabin forward corners to protect the tarpaulin. Tied the blue halyard around the drop-board, which was in place – and then around the tiller in an effort to try keep the tarpaulin up – out of the cockpit hatches. Boy were we cheesed off faffing around trying to secure the tarpaulin. Wind was very strong and amidst the flapping sound of tarpaulin decided to put the starboard set of steps outside of the tarpaulin. It was about 20:30pm now by time we had finished. It was pitch black, we were cold, hungry, tired and ready for home.

10/9/94

What a weekend this was. Did not feel so good on Friday night, so drove down on Saturday morning. It had been forecast a wet, rainy weekend. We knew we had to get to the boat – even if it was just to check it over. Called at hardware shop to get more sash cords and some hooks. Arrived at the boat to discover that the portside of the tarpaulin was totally free and flapping in the wind. The eyelets had been ripped completely. Only water remaining on the deck was portside – amidships. Took the sheet off completely as the weather seemed fair. No sooner said and done when spits of rain fell, and dark clouds blew over us. No choice. Back over went the tarpaulin and just in time. It poured down. When it eased we set about repairing the tarpaulin eyelets. Another shower. To get anything done we are going to need the gantry up again. Wind was increasing as well. During next gap in the showers we quickly rigged up the gantry and threw over the tarpaulin – putting starboard steps on the outside again. Fixed the hooks to the cradle and using all our new sash cords, lashed the sheet down again as secure as possible. It was more like a maestro gale blowing. With rain by now down our necks, shoulders wet through, the tarpaulin flapping around our earlobes driving us mad, depression looming in fast, tempers getting very short, we just finished lashing down when it chucked it down. Literally, cats and dogs and everything else. Dashed in the van for cup of tea and contemplate how on earth we can do anything. No choice but to leave the gantry up today – weather looks pretty unsettled. Had another tea on deck but with the noise of flapping tarpaulin. Holes had by now developed in many places of the tarpaulin and consequently drips where appearing all over the deck. Now where the water collects on the tarpaulin it soaks through. Because we tied the rope forward and aft to the gantry, but really too wide apart, pools of water were collecting behind the forward hatch, and leaking all over the forward cabin. Ruth crawled under the tarpaulin – feet first to disperse the water. The rest of the today was cups of tea, dispersing excess water, feeling pretty down and no sign of wind or rain disappearing. Had a curry on the evening to warm us up all over and then to bed tired of faffing around with the tarpaulin and sash cords. All those who had seen us today will have thought we were mad, for being outside with the boat. But no-one else understands the full story of our situation.

First off we had the Tarpaulin covering the complete Hull. Later we folded it like above so air could get underneath down the sidedeck.

11/9/94

Good start to the day – no sign of rain yet – little wind and scattered puffs of cloud. Dare we take off the tarpaulin, we thought. Decided to and it turned out for the best. It would have been to overpowering to contemplate epoxying under the tarpaulin. We thought we were ready to epoxy, but we weren’t quite. We had forgotten we needed to cut to shape the inner edges of the pieces of cockpit deck ply. Sanded down the existing deck ply inserts and beams to give a better key. Needed to remove the inner cockpit well sides and laid them atop of the main cabin coachroof, underneath the folded tarpaulin. Got out all the needed tools etc and epoxy ready, weather holding out. At one point a few drops of rain shook us – was it rain or some anonymous spray ?. Never mind. Decided whilst at it we should also epoxy the aft cockpit well side battens. We forgot these previously. The bulk heads were sanded down where required. We epoxied in place all the cockpit seating deck ply and screwed and nailed it down. Ruth was in board mixing epoxy etc, whilst Lance worked balanced in the cockpit well and did the sticking and fixing. Quite precarious at times not to stand, sit or put ones hand on the cockpit deck ply itself. After first portside piece laid,  made up a mix of epoxy resin only ,no fibres and painted it on top of the ply. By time we had fixed in the starboard deck ply and coated it likewise – thought why not coat the inner sides of the cockpit sides and back as well. Yea why not, all helps for protection against the elements. We had only just enough fresh mixing pots to cope. Just needed now a couple of hours for the epoxy to cure. Noticed since being outside, the epoxy develops a wax like film on the surface – due to damp and moisture in the air – which needs to be acetoned and clean watered down before sanding and coating next. Decided good idea would be to epoxy the cockpit well back and front and sand the edges of the ply down below. In doing so we found that the lower forward corner of starboard ply down below seemed damp. Decided to take up the ply and investigate. We would have never forgiven ourselves otherwise. Sure enough there was water underneath. All the foam had to come out to be sure all was clear. Mould had started in the lower forward corner. The foam and ply had stuck well that was definite. In our rush to prepare to move we had forgotten to seal in the edges. Decided too late now to start epoxying and cleared away all tools etc and covered the boat completely – and tied it all down. Got back home just in time to pick up a kebab before closing time. Sweet dreams and dehydration tonight. We were both chilled to the bone. Took home the cushions etc out of the boat to wash them and freshen them up.

	Standing over after locker hatch, looking down into the cockpit well area. To the right is the ply, seated on foam between the stringers, which had to be taken up as water had got underneath recently. In the rush to move the boat we had not sealed the edges completely.

17/9/94

Looked like a promising start to the day. Had to start by bailing out the water that had collected in the cockpit area of the tarpaulin. It must have rained real heavy. Problem was the buckets and bowls were onboard !. So set to using our hand and arm to sweep the water overboard. My the water was icy cold. Scooped a large quantity out, then between us , one port, one starboard, managed to lift the tarpaulin and direct the remaining water over the cockpit back so it would then run overboard. This would not have done the tarpaulin much cop. Mopped up in the cockpit area again. Also the carpets we had taped to the cabin corners to protect the tarpaulin from ripping over the sharp corners, had soaked up the water, come adrift, fallen onto the side deck and thus considerable amount of water settled amidships. What a mess. All was sponged up. Decided to take up the portside lower piece of plywood and just as well we did, although it was not as bad as the starboard side had been. Needed not to remove all the foam though, as the affected area was just the forward end of the ply. Dug out all the wet foam. It was quite chilly and overcast but Lance was oblivious to this being sat down in the bilges. Ruth felt it though on deck and extra jumpers were needed. We had picked up a Toe Jack Friday evening , and next we were to try it out and see if we could lift the cradle 4" up forward to level the Hull up. At the moment she was nose down. Dug out gravel enough to get the toe jack underneath the cradle to get out the wedge we had knocked under, in the center, the other weekend. Then dropped the jack down and repositioned the jack centre and raised the cradle flat up again. It was so much easier with this Jack. In no time at all , say ½ hour the front of the cradle had been jacked up (i.e. the metal flat) and blocked up at the front. All that was left was to check the port to starboard for level, which turned out to be not much at all. Hopefully our wooden cradle will not slip backwards on the metal flat. Weather very pleasant now, hardly any wind. Continued sanding the coachroof and forward hatch frame. It was awkward because of no staging and also watching the sawdust blowing all over the shop. It took all after noon to do the coachroof , plus the forward hatch frame. It was about 18:00pm and as weather was holding out decided to epoxy up the coachroof and hatch frame. Just did it in time – but really it was getting too late, as temperature was dropping. The question then was will it rain tonight or not. The sky looked good – we took the chance and left tarpaulin off.

18/9/94

Luckily no rain last night. Must have been a heavy dew/mist though which had settled and ran off down the cabin sides. Also the epoxy was white colored due to the damp. It also had a ammonium blush on it. Wiped it down with acetone. But it was not cured enough to sand. We set to sanding the forward cabin sides and frontage.  It was hard work to remove the surface discoloration and to remove the stains. It was a slow, laborious task. The finish had to be an almost, if not final finish, that is no scores or cross grain sanding. Many cups of tea kept us going. Again weather holding out, sunny and pleasant. Only a few threatening clouds. Last night we had sorted out some shores and wedges for the boat forward and aft. Two aft and one forward. The boat was quite bouncy until we had done this. By 15:30pm we were ready to epoxy. Coated epoxy on the forward cabin sides and frontage. Kept using a dry brush to go over and brush out the air bubbles. Needed to do this several times as it was curing. We should have brushed the cockpit sides when we epoxied them. We learn by our mistakes. Continued sanding down the cockpit well back panel and forward panel. We were thinking of battening them, but it could do with a coat of epoxy anyway to protect from water. The pieces of ply taken out of the cockpit bilge area were also cleaned up. Called it a day today just after 18:00pm. Both of us tired and sore fingers from sanding. Covered over the boat and left for home.

23/9/94 & 24/9/94

Last weekend of the boat show – but since moving the boat, we have no cash for such. Very disappointing as it is the second one we have missed now. Last year we were in the middle of moving house. The whole weekend was quite mild, but quite a breeze blowing as well, which got down ones neck. We have scarves handy, if we needed one. There is so much needs doing, and any jobs started especially sanding – need to be completed in the same weekend. Therefore we have to be careful what we start and need to work closer together on the same task. Over the weekend we concentrated on the cockpit bilge area ply on portside. Compared to epoxy , expanding foam has to be worked with in seconds, not minutes and it goes off in minutes not hours. However it cannot be cleaned from things easy. It ruins brushes, sticks to gloves etc rendering them useless. Best to use plastic scrapers, pots and wooden sticks. All these can be scraped clean, once the foam gone off. Both pieces of ply were fixed into place and screwed. Then once the foam gone off and having already put sikaflex around the edges of the ply/stringers, the edges were cleaned up and epoxy squeezed down to seal the edges totally this time. Did not seem like much done this weekend - but the small jobs can be the longest. We blew a trip switch in the meter box late afternoon. Had to watch power useage on the boat, especially when hoovering.  We waited for the security chap to do his rounds - but blow us he never turned up all night. As it was raining we made do with the van interior light off the spare battery till morning. Next morning collared the security chap on his rounds and he switched us back on. Only to end up powerless in the afternoon the next day. Some boaties had problem with power and asked if they could check their lead in our socket. They blew it !. They kindly saw the security chap who switched us back on again. 

	Refilling between the stringers with expanding foam. Plywood to be fixed over the foam.

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