Our existing navigation system comprises a compass and a Raymarine ST6000 autopilot !!
Needless to say, this needed to be upgraded. We needed a system that will allow us to use electronic charts, for both UK coast and inland waterways of Europe as well as the coast of the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. We also needed a more effective way to use the autopilot and a safer way to navigate the busy European waterways.
Nothing better than a hot shower
After a long day out on the boat, there is nothing better than a shower. Whether to cool off after a hot day out on the water or to warm up after a freezing cold day. Or even to clean up after a day of grinding, sanding, painting, fitting etc (much of our lives at the moment). The shower on the boat is a pleasure. The only problem is that the water runs directly into the bilges in the forepeak, where we sleep. The bilge pump has to work hard to pump out litres of soapy water and not always successfully. All in all the whole set up is not ideal, especially if we have guests stay on board. So we fitted a sump with pump, replaced the old hoses and had a new shower tray made. Sounds simple, but in true boating fashion - nothing is easy and a day set aside to finish off the engine ended up being a “shower day” - no regrets though !
Deck Problems
We bought Deux Poisson with a vision in mind. Travelling through the canals and rivers of Europe enjoying the scenery and culture (and all that came with it). So we loved the idea of being on the deck (fore and aft) while underway. But this meant doing some hard work to make our vision and dreams come true.
Painting Day and other bits
We took advantage of a beautiful (chilly) spring weekend to do some essential boat work .. another round of deck paint, some electrical testing of the rev counter, fitting boards into the engine bay.
A quick flash-back to the foredeck over the years…. It had slowly deteriorated and all the hard work had paid off.
Replacing old (circa 1970s) mechanical gauges ... nothing is simple !
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.
Has she sunk???
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.
She's back!!
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.
Electrical Connections
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 !!
Cleaning and excited about it too!
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.
Painting... the end?
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.
