......till end 2017
15 January 2018 | cape town
steve
Haven't done any updates since early October. Not sure why but mid Nov to - well basically now - is gearing up / down for or from the holidays…..and true to form I have just been to damn lazy !
So, a very brief description of what has happened.
By mid October, the welds had been tested and rewelding had commenced. Andrew decided to test welds by means of vacuum instead of the ‘traditional’ colour test……ok…..!
I think that this showed up many more ‘holes’ but we are not complaining.
The tanks as well as the straps to secure these, had been placed. The aft cabin cupboards were still in progress, sanding and filling prior to painting. All the trim pieces had been stained. New wood had been ordered as required.
All the shower floors had been placed. The forward heads cupboard was being trimmed down to fit, while the toilet was placed for ‘1st fit’. A rather lengthy discussion was had about exactly it would be - I am rather large so there had to be ‘lots’ of space between the seat and the side wall !
It being an intermittent sunny day, the colours could be seen in both sun and shade….mmmm…..we will stick with the 70% gloss.
An initial discussion was held about the counter top finish. At this stage, we are looking at, ’what we think’, is the more versatile black / speckled finish.
Beginning November, rewelding was in full swing. Andrew had found another welder and things were moving along nicely. All the suspect welds / points, were ground open, rewelded and retested.
One engine was placed into the engine room so that floor heights could be determined. While in, the generator, tanks and hot water cylinder were placed. Areas of concern wrt access, heat etc was considered. This also allowed for the allocation of space for the grey / black water tanks.
The aft cabin cupboards were receiving the 1st coat of paint.
Doors were still being sanded and prepped for final finishing. New vanity cupboard doors were being manufactured to visually match existing.
All the portlights in the hull had been welded closed.
The tanks fixing points had been welded to the hull.
The windlass was stripped down, cleaned, tested and painted. All good !
Mid November, all the hull welds had been retested and ground down. All the portlights to the raised deck area had been cut out in preparation of the new ones.
Edging to the caprail / gunwale, where there was suspect areas, had been cut out in preparation of new. Old mooring bollard plates were being ground as flush to the deck as possible.
A discussion was had about the anchor bollard / post, specifically about its position and the odd angle of the ‘arms’….something will happen here. To be decided.
The cargo hold base floor had been made and was being prepped for final flooring. The flooring was being trimmed and prepped into panels, prior to laying on the floor base.
In the engine room, areas behind the tanks had been painted and the tanks secured.
The forward heads cupboard and toilet raised pedestal had been placed. The position of the toilet was under discussion again : ))
A new frame to the chain locker had been welded in and the area primed.
The aft cabin hull areas had also been painted.
By early December, all areas on the hull where work had been happening, had been primed. Sections of the gunwale where required had been replaced and primed.
Certain areas were being prepared for a light fairing to try blend in some of the welds.
The saloon / galley temporary mock up floor was laid and marked up for discussion. Position of furniture, angles etc were debated and agreement reached.
The cargo hold floor structure was being welded in place - heaven only knows how you didn't fall thro the floors previously as there was virtually no supporting structure ! After the cargo hold, was the galley / saloon structure…..which currently consists of 2x posts !
The vertical inlet for the seachest has been removed. The anchor locker / forward cabin has been painted and the floor to the new chain locker was in place prior to welding.
Aft heads cupboard was placed and the raised pedestal was under discussion. The templates for the aft grey / black tanks had been made.
The cargo hold flooring was in process of being ‘glued’ onto the base, with a Sika 2 part product, that looks like baby poo, and evidently sticks like snot !
For images see 'Favourites - October 2; November; December'