Patrick replaced the original mechanical pressure gauges (circa 1970) with electric gauges and sensors. Again a simple task proved to be slightly more challenging and Patrick had to source and fit an extension as one of the new sensors wouldn’t fit. But all’s well that ends well and we are looking forward to the electricians returning and connecting this all up to the new panel.
It feels like months since we have been down to the boat. We are back in ANOTHER lock-down and all the work has stalled. We were halfway through the electrical work and while the engine and tanks are now situated in the engine bay, nothing is connected up. Needless to say, we are desperate to get back to doing the work as the clock is ticking.
Patrick and I decided to get a few quotes for the big jobs which are still to be done. The back deck needs to be completely replaced, although Patrick believes he can do that himself. The whole aft section, which comprises a galley and dining area / guest sleep area needs to be replaced. There are also a number of other fairly big jobs, including a (vital) small bar/drinks area as well as some repairs needed to the ceiling and beams running through the toilet/shower room. This is all beyond our remit. We contacted a few shipwrights to get quotes so we could get an idea of how much these jobs would cost and a timeline for completion. We had one shipbuilder come out to view what we had in mind, while we were down at the boat.
We did a few other small jobs while we were down there.
Finally, after a false start, our sick engine was settled back in her “new” engine bay. All healed up and ready for our adventures planned. We still have a bit to do before she’s ready to go (literally) - connections, fuel, filters, exhaust …… but she’s back and we are thrilled at this huge step.
We got a little closer to full electrics running on the boat today - a little closer to the ice maker working - a little closer to cocktails !!
This was a full weekend of cleaning. The layers of dirt from all the sandblasting and grinding was endless and I expect we will be finding sand and grime in small crevices and cracks forever. Without water on board, we had no choice but to use the hose pipe to spray down everything. It worked well and the water just ran down into the newly painted bilges. Patrick set up a small pump and we just pumped it out through the hand basin
It was so satisfying and now we can start to stay on board overnight, for the first time in over a year. I am so excited, even though she is still not back in the water - we are waiting for the tanks and engine, but it feels like we are getting there.
We still need to replace things like the bed headboards and side lining, which I suspect has been there since she was first fitted out. We need better clothes storage and the toilet/wet room needs a complete re-do. All have been added to the To Do list.
Finally - its been a long time coming; new steel fitted, one round of sandblasting, one round of grinding, three coats of black epoxy 2-pac, one coat of primer and this weekend two coats of anti-foul. All she needs now is a thick black top-line and her new anodes. Then that’s the outside hull done - phewwwww.
As well as gaining a shiny new (ish) hull we will need to fit new anodes. We will fit 8 anodes in total.
4 x 4 kg bar anodes,
2 x 2.3 kg pear anodes
2 x 1 kg disc anodes for the rudder.
We started prepping the engine bay which will our focus over the next few weeks - grinding, painting etc. Also measured up the space for fuel and water tanks which need to be made up and fitted. All before the return of our refurbished engine
Deux has been on the hard for a year now and we are under pressure to get her back in the water. No engine or tanks have been fitted yet, but it would be nice to feel her float again (and not have to climb up and down the ladder). We spent the weekend applying a second coat of epoxy paint (such a messy job). Next we will apply an undercoat and lastly the antifoul. We still have some welding to be done on the deck and some woodwork to be attended to, but we are almost water tight and then its back into the water. We are planning to refit the engine and tanks while she is in the water but if necessary we will lift her back out.
Thanks to genius (and patience) of Vanessa Weber Designs, we have an official logo - and love it! Thank you Vanessa. She knew exactly what we wanted just from a few conversations / emails. Cannot fault her professionalism and her sage advice.
