Boat Building - Yacht Emerald Undergoing Construction

At long last - moving Emerald undercover, with workshop facilities. Fantastic.

Bright, sunny and overcast. Visited the boat, and Ruth continued to complete sanding down the portside deck right to aft, and then finished the aft deck. Good job done. Now to decide about covering board edge, and deck ply and what to use to stick it down. Lance with the dremmel drill managed to grind off the protruding ends of the stainless steel screws, inside the boat, which were screwing the covering board down to the hull. This was done in main cabin but on the starboard side only today. Electricity work is being done at the marina, so we had to borrow an old lead from the chandlery so we could get power from one of the mooring pods closest to us, but it was across the roadway. This is why we borrowed an old lead from the marina, so their lead and not ours was trailing across the road way. The proprietor commented “ we fitted well over there”. The electric new pods have arrived, and apparently JCB’s and diggers will start work this week. Weather holding out very nicely, so contemplated the weathering of the Wood sealer we’d used on the hatch and cabin sides etc. Having done nothing last year, it was in need of sanding all over and re-applying wood sealer. Started on the main hatch sanding with the orbital on top of the lats, then finishing by hand sand the runners also. Lance then started on the main cabin front. This we’d not touched since the original coating of wood sealer, plus we had put crack sealer on the cracks. This took some sanding down with the orbital sander, as the wood sealer was prone to clog up the sanding discs and paper. Persevered and then finished with hand sanding with 80 then 120 grit paper, for it then to be ready for a coat of wood sealer. Applied about three coats of woodsealer, then did the main hatch then the runners. We’d had a very good day, disturbed by no-one, and ready for cup of tea. Packed up and went home. Worked 11:00-5:45pm.

From here nothing could be done on the boat, as the Marina never did make provision for us to have electricity, despite promises. Water was completely out of the question. It was a hint to push us out. In February 2006 things were just looking up for us because Lance had commenced on Dialysis, and by September 2006 he would be on the kidney transplant waiting list. This was good news. The final straw came when planning application got passed for another building in the Marina area. Mid 2006 we had a call from the Marina to advise us that hard standing was being done away with all together, and they wanted us to move the boat. Later in the year we then had a letter from the Marina asking us to move the boat by 31^st October. This put the urgency on things a bit, we had been looking around but nothing suitable found yet. Some places were perfect, but we could not have got the Lorry/Crane close enough. We were getting quite desperate for a place, when we managed make contact with someone who had a suitable undercover place, large enough to get the boat in, with an area next to, to form a workshop, and it should be possible for a lorry/crane to get right up to this area. Went round one evening to view it. It all did look promising.


At the Marina - only the Boat, Cradle and Chair in the picture is ours. The rest (excluding Ruth) is items & rubbish left there by the Marina staff.		The shed we found to move the Boat into. It may not look much, but the space will all be ours to use - no-one else can clutter it up.

Visited again this shed again. The area was a sun trap, and did not get the full force of direct rain. It really did not look much, but it was adequate for what we were looking for. Lance soon found an old chair to sit down on in this shed. It was mentioned that it would not be a problem to get electric and water through to the shed. We had long length of timber with us to roughly measure the height of the lean to. It was about 13’6” roughly where the centre of the boat would be for’d to aft.

It was our 3^rd visit today, Sunday, to this shed. Understanding our situation of moving the boat, and Lance’s health, the owner told us to concentrate on getting our boat moved and get us settled in. At this point we were very much decided to go for this shed, and electric and water would be sorted out for us. Our next action was to locate lorry and crane suitable. As luck goes, we realised there was a haulage company locally based, who had a suitable lorry with a crane on the lorry itself. Wow, this would be a bonus.

We sent an email to Haulage Company, explaining our requirement, including also some photographs of the Yacht on Lorry when we originally arrived at the marina. We arranged for the lorry driver, at the Haulage company, to visit the Marina on 13^th Sept, to weigh up the situation, and to visit also the shed we would be moving to.

It was confirmed the access to the shed, which we were moving to, would not be a problem. At this point we were very much decided to go for this shed, but we could not confirm now until we got the ok from Haulage Company. By Friday the reply from the haulage company was yes, so we arranged the move for the week Monday 25^th September. Having got the lorry confirmed, we rang the Marina and advised them of this date.

Saturday it was. We visited the boat at the Marina, and cleared away all the weeds etc, which had quickly grown up around the cradle etc, checked all the nuts and bolts were tightened, then gave the deck and covering board a scrub with cloth and washing up liquid in water to clean off as much grime as we could, and to clean up the hull of wood fibres, ready for the move.

Finished cleaning up and removed the cushions etc from on board. It was either yesterday, or today, when both of us took another look at the height measurements we’d noted for the shed. It was looking like only a 3’ gap between the coach-roof and the roof beams. Oh no. We’d put all effort into the lorry and boat height issue, and forgot to revisit the actual headroom clearance once our boat in the shed. It was too late now – and it should be ok – we’d have to see. During the week, we visited the shed again. to ask about us bringing the steps down at the weekend, would that be ok ?, and it was.

Visited the boat to put the pipe lagging and carpet on the cradle against the hull. Then with wedges and timber chocked up the keel against the cradle to try keep the cradle in place. We had arranged loan of a low loader car trailer, and with this we were able to dismantle the steps and transport them to shed. We off loaded our steps onto a large pallet for now.

The day before the move, and anxiety high, and the weather was unsettling. We helped clear the remaining debris in the area, wood and bits. The area was now thereabouts ready for us. Then visited the Marina to complete strapping the cradle to the hull. This is going to have to be the last time she is moved in the wooden cradle, we said this before, but this time really will have to be the last. To our delight and surprise we found that the Marina had cordoned off an area in front of our boat with bollards and hazard tape. That was very considerate, and a very nice thought on their part, making a statement they want our move out, to happen. Strapped up the cradle to the hull with ratchet straps and carpet pieces. Removed cockpit well hatch, and placed on board. All was now set for the morning. Both of us were tired with the mental pressure, anxiety, worry that had we thought of everything, and that all would hopefully go well, and were we making the right move.


	All strapped up ready for the move, and the Marina had kindly cordoned the area off.

Alarm clock has been set for 06:00am, and luckily no real heavy rain had fallen, to be concerned about. We got to the Marina about 10 to 8, setup the ladders and checked all the straps were tight enough. The Lorry arrived 5 minutes later, so quickly shifted the bollards and tape etc. The crane on the lorry was remote controlled, and the crane extended to a staggering size. It was possible for one man to complete the lift and transport, but then a colleague turned up in a small van to assist. The lorry driver was the chap who had visited week last to weigh up the job, which was reassuring. No time was wasted and before long the boat was lifted up and onto the lorry, the crane straps removed, and the yacht and cradle strapped to the lorry. The front post log, and the 4” x 4” posts which the cradle had been resting on, and a piece of 6” x 2” where placed on the cradle. The whole operation was done in less than 40 minutes, and off we all sped, the Lorry, the small van, and us in our van, on to the shed, in the new location. Once there the lorry positioned itself at the entrance, and then was guided by the owner around the property to the shed we were renting. We didn’t realise there was a muddy bit at one of the gates, which was very worrying, and it worried the lorry driver a little, but he made it through without sinking in too much. Lorry driver once at the shed, positioned the lorry where best, to offload the boat, and the operation began. The lorry driver was excellent, and took the time to set the boat as far into the shed as the crane would allow him to do so. This was a big, big relief for us both, we had made it, without incident. It was very emotional as well, as the boat is a family member to us. Squared up with the lorry driver, and the chaps left, back out the way they had come in. Without the weight of the boat, the lorry did stick a bit at the middle gateway, but with the drivers professional judgement and the clever steering mechanism on the wheels, he was able to pull out of the mud, in a very very low gear. Fantastic lorry it was. Phew !. The lorry driver then stopped a little way on, and got out of the cab to ask us if we wouldn't mind sending onto them a photograph of the yacht on the lorry – the driver had noticed Ruth clicking away with the camera. No problem. We then took off our ratchet straps etc, and then contemplated how we could get power and water rigged up temporary !. An extension cable was ran through to the bigger shed, and the water stop cock (one of them) was right there in the shed where we were. We left to return home and get the pressure washing gear, for Lance to do a dialysis bag, and grab a bite to eat. Back at the shed connection to water was pondered over. In the end we got water available, and donned with wellingtons and waterproof trousers the whole boat was given a good pressure wash. There was a log of muck and loose fibres from the last 18 months or so outside. With a little chat here and there, it was 7 nearly 8oclock when we had finished, and it was getting dark. We were dog tired, aching, exhausted, but very happy that the day gone well. We sure slept well that night.


Crane from Lorry is extended, note the stabiliser leg extending from the lorry. Crane straps being put into place. Used step ladders to climb on board the boat to put the straps onto the crane hook etc	Up she goes, towards the lorry. The crane is operated by remote control. Incredible to watch.	Down onto the Lorry bed she is placed.


The boat carefully placed on the Lorry bed.	Just about done. Note the lorry rear stabilizers.

Lance was suffering a bit from the late night last night. It was about 11:30 by time we set off to the boat. Visited a few hire places for a tirfor winch and toe-jack, on the way. One hire shop closed and moved, Local Hardware Tool hire did not do lifting and pulling hire equipment, and another would have to order things in. A little depressing. Down at the boat, we set about to try dig a hole for an anchor pole for winching. We persevered in digging a hole. There was a very old flat bed jack – probably a car jack – we found just near the shed, and it took both of us to carry it to the cradle, but it was just not strong enough to lift the cradle. A toe jack was what we needed. It was a shame with this jack we found, as it was a hydraulic one, and appeared to be in working order. The boat needed to be moved into the shed about 20’. About 1oclock now, and both racked brains as to how and where we could get a tirfor winch and toe jack that afternoon, and we could get the boat in ourselves. We already had the anchor chain, shackles, strong rope etc in the van. Just before leaving for Lance to do dialysis, stopped off near the pile of scaffold poles, which we'd got permission to use some. We took off home. We dug out the yellow pages and found a hire place who had a tirfor winch, but the toe-jack was at another of their branches in the county. We snapped both of these up, and after Lance’s dialysis visited both these places, and collected the tirfor winch and toe-jack. It was a fair drive round, and both of us were anxious to get back to the boat, and start moving her in, or attempting to. It was about 5oclock by time we reached back at the boat. With bottles of water to keep our thirst quenched, we setup the 3” x 3” old fence posts as runners, sorted out 8 scaffold poles which were a weight in themselves, carrying them around to the shed where the boat was, and with the toe jack we lifted the cradle to get the 4” x 4” post out, and put in the 3” x 3” post runners under for’d to aft, with the scaffold poles port to starboard. We were confident but not 100% sure it was going to work. Only one way to find out. So far so good. Then chained the anchor chain around the cradle aft, fastened it with shackles. Then setup the tirfor winch. This is a brilliant tool, the only drawback is that you have to winch through 20m steel cable to get the hook at the required distance from the winch to start pulling. The winch we sat on a old piece of plywood, a rope piece made to tie the tirfor winch to the anchor post – which was a scaffold pole in the 18”-24” hole, and supported through some corrugated sheeting on the wall, which had a convenient hole area though which to slot the pole. All setup and ready to go, we winched and we winched and hey presto, no need to break any seal, the cradle moved with ease. Wow. This to us was overwhelming. We quickly got into the swing of things, moving the scaffold poles and runners to the back as they were released from up forward, and not forgetting to mention we’d setup 4” x 4” post in position up against a water barrel, to act as a break in case the cradle ran away too fast. Having moved the boat about 10’ approx, we’d reached the limit on the tirfor winch, as we’d set it up. So we had to double up the anchor chain and shorten the rope to the anchor point, to allow us to bring her back the last 10’. Also to mention we were bringing the boat in stern first, the stern to be ending up 2’ approx from the back wall of the shed, so you can visualise the short space we were working in for an anchor point, winch, and chain to the cradle. It was about ¼ to 8 when we completed the whole move of the boat the 20’, and in half an hour we’d cleared all away everything – leaving the cradle on the scaffold poles for tonight. We were determined to complete the move ourselves as we had done each time in the past. It was an achievement for a lady and a poorly gentleman. Another good day, but long and drawn out. We slept well.


Pulling the Boat into the shed 20' by using Tirfor winch, scaffold poles, chain, rope and initiative

As we had finished with the tirfor winch, we returned it to the Hire place, and then visited the boat to make best use of the toe jack to level up the cradle/hull, and put back the 4” x 4” posts having removed the 3” x 3” posts and scaffold poles. Then put in the wedges to level up port to starboard, and finally resetup the forward bow supporting pole. In the are there are some bee hives, and at this point the bee-keeper had been to checkout his bees & must have not used a smoker. Before he left, he spotted us working there, and mentioned to us that there may be a few bees around, but they should not hurt. We had already been dancing about a bit as several persisted in going for Lance who eventually took retreat in the van. Ruth deciding to brave it, continued only to be likewise gone for, and a bee got stuck in her hair. How it buzzed, and how Ruth flapped. Lance could only sit and laugh at the pantomime we were having. Ruth then retreated into the van also – ensuring no bee(s) followed. What a palaver, and with the odd bee landing on the van windows, it was like the start of a horror movie. Luckily though the bees withdrew, and we were able to get back to work. Knocked off earlier today.

Returned the toe-winch to the Hire place. Whilst on the road picked up a wire/hessian type doormat to put at the foot of the steps to wipe our feet on, and also picked up 50m 2.5mm 3 core wire, socket tester, and 16a socket with waterproof gland, and cable clips, so progress could be made on providing electric for us. Lance feeling washed out and tired and needed to rest pm, so Ruth tidied up the van and the lounge which looked cluttered, following the boat move. Then Ruth took the chance to update this boat diary. No visit to the boat today.

Visited the boat in the morning, and we unscrewed the cockpit hatches and completely removed them, to take home and also unscrewed the main hatch to take home, sand up and varnish. We set up the new foot mat at the bottom of the steps.

Being in this new location has been a real boost for us. No longer do we feel exposed, and it makes it so much more pleasurable. We visited this morning, keen to get on and rig up permanent electric. We discovered we could feed the cable through to this other shed, by going under a corrugated sheet, into the back of this other shed where the distribution box was for the electric. We worked it out it was 45’ down the shed to the box, so we unrolled and looped up 47’ of cable approx – with masking tape as a marker, then unrolled about 60’ from this shed up to our shed. Then Lance fitted the 16a socket onto the wall (this wall made up of steel girders, with sleepers slotted between). Wasting no time then, we pulled the cable into this shed, from the back, and set to knocking in cable clips the whole length. Then we needed to connect our socket up before wiring it up to the distribution box. We continued cable clipping the cable on the outside wall right up to our socket. Then Lance wired in our socket. Jolly good job done so far. Then armed with the right tools, we found a chair for Lance to sit on, in this other shed, and Lance weighed up what was what for connectivity. Completed the job, and then went back and plugged in our lead into the new socket, and tested it with our new 13a socket tester. All lights lit up ok. Good job done, and a relief now as we can plug in when we needed to.

Visited the boat. The bow of the boat was protruding beyond the shed by about 2 foot, so we had put up a tarpaulin fixed to the shed roof, and draped over the bow of the boat. This morning we discovered the tarpaulin seam had come completely apart. So much for the glue they'd used in the tarpaulin. Took it down and returned to the garden centre for an exchange. With orbital sander, sanded down the coachroofs (main and forward cabin), to remove the weathered wood fibres. Thunderstorm came over and how it rained, with blustery winds. We could only stop and watch as rain poured down, and we were out of it, inside and dry.

Ordered a double tube fluorescent light, and some daylight bulbs. Also ordered lots of sanding discs for the orbital sander. When the light arrived, we discovered it had no means to hang it, as it was designed to fix directly to the ceiling surface. Tried to source some fittings, but in the end had to improvise and make two hanging points on the light. Then used two hooks (with the eye opened up slightly) and short lengths of light chain, to suspend the light from the ceiling beam.

Light was hung up today but no tubes arrived yet, along with the tarpaulin new replacement. Whilst there today, made a good start on sanding down the port cabin sides, to remove the weathered fibres. Started to clean up and sand down the main hatch, at home. Needed to use Hammerite thinners to remove the excess of the Burgess Woodsealer, and then to sand by hand the wood further.

Visited the boat to fit the daylight tubes, which had arrived, in the fluorescent light. We were delighted with the results, well worth paying the little extra for daylight tubes. Finished sanding port side right to the back of the boat, then sanded the inner sides of the cockpit area. After lunch finished sanding forward cabin fascia, and along starboard cabin sides right to the back of the boat. Also sanded cockpit seating area. The original wood colour is returning very well, considering the boat has been outside for the last 10-12 years.

Thought long and hard on how to construct staging around the boat and today we measured up for staging and front boxing in section of the shed, around the bow. The bow of the boat just protrudes beyond the shed by couple of foot. Finished sanding the deck, and gave the covering boards top a sand. She is looking now like she was just before she was moved outside all those years ago.

Peppy, our cat of 15 years, died following an attack on him by our neighbour. Very sad time for us.

Weekend 28/29^th Oct, took up some garden decking a good neighbour wished to get rid of, with a view of us pressure cleaning it up, and using it in the staging we were to build, down at the boat. Not much more could be done on the boat now. Weather closing in, shorter days, entranceway water logged and could not drive van up to the boat. We could park in the yard around the corner, but this was awkward as Lance unable to walk far, and we needed toilet facilities close to hand. We ensured the tarpaulin was hung up ok forward of the bow, up to the shed roof rafters, to shield the bow from as much rain as could do. The field entranceway was now so muddy it was impassable with the van. We prooved it twice, and had a lucky escape both times after getting stuck near the entrance, and needing to heave, shove, curse and swear !. No not quite so, but you get the jist of how we were feeling. Relieved we both are just to get the boat under cover again. Now need to work out how to build the staging, so we can try make progress this coming year.

Easter 2007 was first real opportunity to get the van up to the boat, to be able to start working. We had now pressure washed all the decking donated by a good neighbour, then let them all dry out. Then contemplated on tools needed for what we were going to be doing in efforts to try get the boat deck done. We did visit the boat over the winter, just to check all was ok. At home we were able to make up four platform pieces from the donated decking lengths, and used 18mm WBP exterior plywood. We were going to use chipboard, but very glad now we chose plywood, for strength and piece of mind. We managed to make platform sections 1 of 8’ length, 2 of 7’ & 1 of 6’ length. All we needed now was the legs and supporting timbers.

Good Friday. Visited local sawmills for some 3” x 3” posts and some 3” x 1”, and dropped the wood off at the boat. In the afternoon, within three hours, we managed to complete and erect one platform section.


These were not the first four platform sections assembled, but you get the idea.		Arranging the platform sections around the boat as they were assembled	Needed to make some additional sections, so that they butted up like so

We managed to complete and erect the 2^nd platform section in 2 hours. Weather was superb – the land was so dry it was cracking in places. Different to the mud we were spludging around in a few months ago. Today though all the recent frantic activity took its toll on Lance, and we had to call it a day at lunchtime.

We managed to complete and erect two platforms, in a record 1½ hours each. Got the camcorder out, and filmed the making of one platform. Being able to record what we do is a bonus, now we are out of a public place, undercover, and the platforms will enable further videoing, which we have not been able to do since we had to move the boat outside.

Easter Monday. Decided four more platform sections were needed, so made visit to get two more sheets 8’ x 4’ plywood, PSE for handrails, and some more decking boards as we’d used all the 7’-8’ lengths. Having done mid-day dialysis bag, and brought with us coffee and sandwiches for the afternoon, we were down at the boat by 14:00pm. Using the circular hand saw, with the cutting guides, we cut down the 8’ x 4’ sheets in no time at all, along with the hoover attachment setup to contain the dust through the extraction pipe. Then cut two lengths of deck board for the cross pieces of the platforms, approx 21¾ “ wide. With deck boards made up one of the last four platform frames and then screwed it to the plywood section. The air was so dry and no wind. By 16:30pm we’d just finished one platform section, and had to call it a day. We had had a good day though.

First thing visited local sawmills to get 3m & 2.1m of 3” x 3” posts (8 of each) for the next four platform sections, including 3" x 1" for the diagonals. What a lot of timber, but the roof rack has been a bonus to have, once again. The 3” x 1” pieces were 4.5m in length !. Unloaded all the timber including all the decking offcuts we’d had left at home. Having done mid-day dialysis bag and grabbed some lunchm spent the afternoon first cutting to length the 2.1m posts – just an inch or two to cut off. Then put together the platform sections with ply, and screwed them all in place i.e. the 4 sections. Another good day had, and tomorrow we’ll cut the diagonals and cross decking pieces, to the complete platform sections.

First thing visited the boat, and cut up the 24” cross pieces for the platform legs, out of left over deck boarding, plus cut the 3"x1" diagonals. All done, then marked up all 16 posts 1’ from the base, and then the 3m posts 80” from the base. Routered the two upper edges of the 4 pieces of PSE to be the handrails. Then fitted and screwed in place the 8 shorter posts i.e. two for each of the 4 platform sections. Convenient break for dialysis, and grab some coffee and bacon sandwiches. This weeks weather has been perfect for us. Sunny, dry and little breeze. Where we are in the shed, it gets the morning sun, which remains just outside the shed until mid afternoon. Adequate space for us to spread out our work area where needed and no fear of being bothered by passers-by. It is just so relaxing and peaceful for us. It only we could have found this spot when we moved all those years ago! Set to assembling platform number 5. We worked as a team, methodically, logically and tidily, and everything was coming together smoothly. Lance suggested making another 3 or 4 platform sections on top of the ones made for the staging, and with shorter posts they would make perfect workbenches !. On the inner edge fixed the long cross piece about 20” from the floor, to allow the platform to clear the lower cradle for’d to aft xmember, and get close enough to the hull. We are more than happy making the platforms in sections. If need be they can be moved around and even transported, as needed. Had a good day, and decided to call it a day about 16:30pm.

Today Lance was a touch rough this morning with sickness, but Lance persevered and we ventured out to pick up more screws, then arrived at the boat at 11:00am. Set about to ensemble the frame for platform number 6. We are not short of exercise, getting up and down, up and down, back and forth, back and forth. Just completed it then did dialysis and grabbed some coffee and sandwiches etc. Then we moved the steps out of the way and positioned an 8’ platform, portside aft, put the last one we’d assembled adjoining and with a 6’ platform up forward positioned, the gap was just over 8’. Perfect for one of the last two platforms to assemble. After coffee break, assembled platform no 7, and moved into place on port side. This was all we could manage today. We’d been up since 5oclock with Lance not being well, and now it was 17:00pm. The staging was all looking very good though. Tonight we contemplated the decking situation being 11mm depth for ply & flexiteek, or to have just flexiteek the option would be to plane down the covering board 6mm, but that would then expose the screws !, or possibly round off the inner edge and lay the flexi-teek down as it is, or possibly from the toe-rail when fitted to chamfer down the inner edge of the covering board to meet the flexiteek. The deck is already double layers of plywood (the first was ply inserts inset into the deck beams), so if we can avoid the job of laying more plywood prior to the flexi-teek, then it will be in our best interest.

Rose to an early start today. This whole week has been a huge moral booster, and it has been miraculous what we have achieved together. Picked up a couple more 2.4m decking boards and corner braces (for the hand railing) from the local builder merchants, and then down to the boat. Assembled the last, the eighth platform, and by lunchtime had moved it into place. Shuffled up the platforms portside and moved the original steps around so they are somewhat at 90degree to the new platform, and they meet the platform at a gap, which we will make a ply insert for. We had two doves as spectators. They are trying to nest, but they look so cute sat on the beam above us, just looking on down. Saw two hares in the field yesterday, chasing each other around. So nice to see. After lunch and dialysis tackled levelling up the aft two platforms and putting plywood and decking lengths across the stern area of the boat to complete the staging around the back. Nearly missed out that we had decided to use plywood to make two ply pieces, port and starboard aft, into which the handrail section aft of the boat, could be slotted. This could then be removed i.e. lifted out, easy enough if need more working space. All has worked well, and we've had some comments at how neat and well made the platforms were – noticing Lance’s perfection. Another good day had, very overcast and not much sun today, but that does not deter us from getting on.

All our hard work this week is taking its toll. We have the drive and enthusiasm, but energy is lacking and bones aching. Having awoken at 5oclock we were ready to get down to the boat by just after 9oclock. 1^st job was fixing some decking lengths at the top of the steps where it meets the staging, to bridge the gap. Then we worked down portside affixing a piece of plywood over the gaps between the platform sections – which fixed the sections together at the same time. Nearly forgot though, just prior to this we had gone round and put short lengths (2’) of decking underneath the bottom of two platform legs each ( 1 from each platform). This will try and level up the platform sections to each other, as best we can. Then we got to the bow of the boat. This was tricky because without the handrail at this point, it was a little nerving. 1^st cut plywood to fit the forward platform area where the two forward most platforms meet, and as we’ve done for all the bits of ply, we rounded the edges over with the router. Then to do the handrail. Because of the angle the two platforms meet forward most, we needed to cut into the two posts on the forward edge, to seat the handrail square for screwing in place. Lance braved his nerves being precariously balanced up forward, and cut the posts with electric padsaw, then drilled for and screwed in place the handrail. As with all the handrail sections, they were rounded over with the router, to make it easier on the hands, and at the bow so we could tie sheets over better, and try reduce the friction on the sheet etc. Had chance to try out the new Fein supercut, to cut away a lower corner edge of the cradle diagonal, to allow one of the starboard platform sections to get closer to the boat. The supercut did the job well, and should come in very useful for the renovation/repair work on the boat, especially on the covering boards outer edge grooves. By 16:00pm called it a day.

Forecasting record temperatures today, and it was so. For us though the shed is kept somewhat coolish. 1^st thing was to complete the levelling up of the portside platform posts i.e. seating on deckboard across the bottom of two posts of adjoining platforms. This done and set to cut plywood pieces to bridge the platform decks between the portside platform sections. Cut them all out of the plywood we had left, and there was very little left over to speak of. Waste not want not, as they say. Again routered the edges of these pieces of plywood, and screwed into place. Both of us were more than pleased with the whole platform staging. It feels sturdy, and opens up a whole new prospective of boat-working. The boat deck now is like working on it at ground level. Lastly, was to cut and fix in place a handrail piece between portside platforms where there is 38” gap approx. if we needed this gap gives us the option of having the steps around the other side of the boat. Also nearly forgot, chocked up the steps on pieces of decking to bring the top step platform, to the same height as the deckboards now screwed in place to the adjoining platforms plywood. Finished around 13:00pm, and called it a day, and the end of a good week.

Just a quick visit to the boat, to put up a new green tarpaulin we’d bought. Will need another hook putting up. Lance not feeling too good today, so did not stay long.

A good three hours down at the boat. Marked up and fitted cross-pieces of 2” x 1” between the platform plywood and handrail, to affix the green security netting to. With cable ties affixed the 2^nd row of net holes to the handrails, all around the boat. The top 2’ of netting is just folded over at the moment, so if we need we could use bungee cords and bring up this top section of netting towards the hooks in the rafter beams. It would help cut down the wind a bit etc. We are both very pleased with it all. In the afternoon emptied the van of tools. Cleaned up the van inside, and put away the tools no longer needed now the platforms were completed.

Down at the boat by 9:45am. There is so much to do on the boat. We recapped from bow to stern the jobs and work needed. It is difficult to commence getting back into the swing of things i.e. where do we start. After dialysis and lunch, set things up to investigate how, and router around the outer edge of the covering board. 1^st with straight router bit to remove the weathered wood, and reveal new good wood and then with a rounded over bit, for the upper edge of this same outer edge, of the covering board. It was looking good to see the mahogany showing through. Plan is to coat this with 50/50 varnish on this edge to try and keep the wood looking good. The staging was a boon. Lance was able to walk around the whole boat with the router, theoretically non-stop. Obviously Lance had needed to make stops on the way. Meanwhile Ruth was up on deck directing the power cables, keeping them away from the router, and ensuring no snags as we went around the whole boat. We went around twice in no time. Had had to sand down, with the orbital, the mdf base we’d made for the router, to be able to circumnavigate the covering board with the router and fence attached. The MDF must have swollen a touch since it was made. Packed up about 17:00pm.

Bank Holiday, and needed to do work on our garden bottom fencing. By the weekend after, amidst nursing aches, pains & having dug to Australia, we’d replaced three fence posts and 4 of 6’ fence panel sections. There was so much rain for a week then, the field was muddy and not worth risking getting the van stuck. We’d been there before !.

Visited the boat am. Too cold, windy and showery to concentrate on starting any work. However we hung around. Measured the top height of this shed, roughly it is 12’. Starting to make plans now for the area to be the workshop.

Popped down to the boat, and discussed options for a workshop. There was considerable work involved with partitioning to be done, so the rest of Saturday into Sunday we drew out the area in question, and came up with a list of timber and sheeting needed plus fixings etc.

Just waiting now for the workshop area to be, to be cleared of the existing stuff in it. Fortnight onwards Lance was chronically ill, and this knocked him back badly, and he needed lots of rest, but managed to visit to see the workshop area to be, had been cleared of stuff, so work could begin on the partitioning soon.

This week Ruth on holiday. Visited the boat on Saturday, and agreed that during the coming week, we would assist with the fitting out of the workshop area, which is what we did. The more hands on the job the easier it is. During the week we encountered power tool flat battery syndrome, so when we broke for lunch and dialysis one day, all drill batteries were run flat and recharged ready for the afternoon. We work far better with three drills on the go, for drilling and screwing. This workshop partitioning once completed, is now very sturdy, solid and looks good from outside. A job well done by all of us.

Mix of events from here. We were starting to get really excited about the workshop, and with the tools etc, in place, the scope of what we’ll be able to achieve. Unfortunately Lance was experiencing further discomfort and breathing difficulties, which led to scans and Lance being admitted to hospital on 3^rd September for an urgent Nephrectomy (kidney removal). Although the operation was successful, complications set in and it was a huge struggle to overcome all that was happening, for both Lance, and Ruth. Sadly after nine weeks of hospitalisation, Lance passed away, peacefully and out of pain late 2007. It was the end of the year before Ruth took courage to visit the boat again, and contemplate the best way forward. There was only one way, and that was, in memory of Lance, to complete the boat, dedicating it to Lance and when launched, to scatter Lance’s ashes at sea. At the cremation, for Lance, a song by the singer Enya was played, called 'Orinoco Flow'. This particular song inspired us both when it came into the charts, just after we started this project, this was our ultimate dream to 'Sailaway'.