We see her again in mid January 2017.
Weren't expecting much as it was the December holidays. Rails are gone, bowsprit is off and mechanical equipment has been removed in preparation of servicing / repairs.

Basically she is being stripped and areas are being identified where some effort will be required..... : ((


The next visit is at the beginning of Feb 2017.
We had decided that a fortnightly visit was probably the best - weekly was to soon, and anything after 14 days meant that we might miss an important issue.

Some of the wooden spars have been given a rough sand to see what the status is. All good so far....except for the masts (steel) which are basically rusted thro ! : ((
Stripping is continuing, and templates for the new tanks are being set out.
Only real issues to date is some localized rust in the ER and around the windows....but we will only be able to tell once needle chipping / blasting has happened.....after stripping : /

Ideas of how to deal with items that don't 'sit well', design and / or technical issues etc, are being thrown around almost in a melting pot kind of way.
My life as an architect has come in handy (as well as our previous boat refit endeavor). It is interesting to see my designs being looked at.....and then put aside. Andrew is still feeling his way around my 'skill set' and is using the designs 'as a guide' : ))
On the other hand, we are very comfortable with Andrew's attention to 'stuff'.


Mid Feb, and the blasting of the mechanical parts have begun, prior to painting and servicing.

Furniture component parts are being manufactured - like a mechano set / kit of parts !
Some laminate forms for the tanks are in process of being made, while some have been made and laminated over already. These laminates have been cut and the forms stripped. Interesting process : )

The existing hydraulic table etc has been stripped down and prepared for final finish. African Mahogany and Origen Pine timber has been purchased, ready to be split for use.
Stripping generally is still continuing.