Year 2003

 

January – depressing start to new year-engine out and being sorted by Dave Clout. Cylinder head off reveals no damage. Nanni engineer at Boat show very helpful – I need purpose built S/S waterlock  to fit BELOW level of engine . Very odd shape indeed –see photo! Engine fired up on test bed –running sweetly again- and reinstalled using mainsheet block/tackle slung from boom. Enormous problems with fuel line due to relocation of water trap/filter due to air leaks etc. I stink of diesel !   Upholstery lady- Sue Hamilton has measured up – smart dark red velvet cushions on order. Gas cooker to be plumbed in next week.. Cabin table constructed with ply top and detachable aluminium legs –bought at Boat Show -£80  for pair. Working hard but slow progress

 

Funny shaped water-lock built in S/S by Dave Clout –fits like a gem (after a bit of tweeking). Exhaust connected and the engine fired up first go! Great dramatics one Tuesday morning- the boat was tilting towards the farm grain shed- would she fall over –ruining herself and the entire grain harvest? 30mins of jacking and all was well again and back to my morning surgery! Two days later and she is now tilting outwards –see pic below. More jacking again but in opposite direction –followed by more snow. What next? Sorry about the pic- divine inspiration?

 

   

 

February – first attempt at plumbing in gas cooker unsuccessful (too many joints etc) but 2nd attempt much better. Peter Parry starting to wire up boat –a long way to go!

Three bilge pumps (two electrical and a LARGE manual) fitted along with the battery boxes. The engine is now running with external water feed (from header tank in cockpit) and all is fine (except for some residual problems with fuel supply). I danced with joy! Work started on mahogany (sapele) companion way ladder –slow but should look good. Upholstery collected from Sue Hamilton in Maldon -excellent  quality & price (to be recommended!) Expensive PAR max 4 pump unsuitable for routine bilge work (heavy current and slow to start pumping –does not work if battery less than good!)- small 4th bilge pump purchased-is this a record? Gas cooker finally connected up & working and the fuel line problems  to engine fixed at long last-thanks to advice from Dave Clout . Launch date fixed for Sat. April 5th –the excitement starts here!

 

March – all rot removed from cavity in bow stem  for bowsprit fitting –nicely filled in layers of oak strip by Graham Halden –excellent job. Hull painting tackled with great enthusiasm by (big) John, Mark and finally Lol  (professional semi-retired painter). Looks very much better but not perfect. Un -seasonal dry weather has opened up port side (weather) garboard seams –causing minor leaks. Lol has also painted inside of hull –cream colour  –including mast base! Cabin floor boards dark stained/varnished look very smart. Electrics making painfully slow progress -?finish in time? Upholstery fitted –one small mod. required otherwise v. good! Spar crutches made by Jamie & Hugo on deck. Reinforcement plates  x 3pairs fitted to rudder and all  cracks filled-looks the business now! Lots of small jobs need attention. Yachting Classique have requested photos for prelaunch article (French version of Classic Boat) –flattering ! Peter (electrics) – behind schedule – borrowed by Ministry of Defence for his expert knowledge on radar  – why did (USA)  Patriot missile knock out (UK) Tornado plane in Iraq – he advised “turn it off “ because IFF does not always work! – Americans not amused! You won’t get a better reason than that for getting behind schedule on boat! Last W/E worked flat out- I’m very nearly ready for Friday and launching . Next  month’s entry – will be very exciting –watch this space.

 

 

 

 

April- frantic last minute efforts including painting inside & out by Lol (the painter) and wiring by Peter. Mast unstepped without difficulty by monster crane- good omen onWed. . Crane returned on Friday and after two hours of careful adjustment of strops Whimbrel gently lifted on to low loader – minimal damage only –no creaks or groans (as before) from hull. Midday- crane & transport on their way – much needed site clean up.  Boat promptly launched at Fox’s on arrival – I’m relaxing at home (tired!) – I thought they were going to do this on Sat!  Water ingress quite modest – small bilge pump coping well on its own  (medium and large pumps not required - -even less hand pump – overspec?) Very good news- am I a pessimist by nature?  Arrive at Fox’s 8pm- seepage slowing down  already – even more –after a few pints. Slept on board. What a day! Busy W/E painting & varnishing – lift out  again on Monday . Tuesday- re-stepping mast and re-rigging –dreadful tangle eventually sorted out. Wed.- “bend on sails “- foresail no problems, jib- block needed trip up mast to untangle then furling gear good- but mainsail proved the ultimate hard slog needing block/tackle at every stage. I swear my arms are now longer! Thursday- Terry Davy -surveyor (nice chap –very reasonable) and Sue Hamilton – upholstery lady –arrived together! Survey proceeded VERY well –great relief indeed. Tonneau cover for cockpit ordered from Sue. Friday- last frantic efforts and then a quiet launch @ 5pm – lots of photos –no drama – went home at 6pm – looking great  - see pic- yes it is all worth while !

April 5th:Sat- return to Fox’s with Jamie (elder son),Graham (friend) & Pam – long suffering crew- for test sail. Nice day with 10knots of head wind down river. Full rig set (without problems) – beat down river @ 6-7 knots speed  -very nice indeed . Fast boat! Slow return due to wind drop –pity –but there is always another day.

        Conclusion- she’s fine – she’ll do nicely! 

 

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