Oh hell, its been 8 months since the last update.....
I can safely say, not a lot has happened !

Forward cabin is for all intents 99% complete.
The aft cabins are in a similar state other than the bunk tops that need to be painted.
The heads are 100% complete....or I should say what you see is complete.
Must admit, its looking very nice !

Engine room had started but the exhaust hose wasn't the correct lengths so new had to be ordered.
This led to the ER being pushed down the schedule and the cargo hold / master cabin / ships office interior being moved up the ladder. This should be complete in about 3 weeks time....except for the new skylight which may take a while !
Then its back to the ER for piping and electrical. Once thats done the galley / saloon will be tackled.......and then the interior is complete !

As for the exterior; the new steel masts arrived and have been waiting.
The 110m 13mm chain was re-galvanised and markings painted (by us). Standards as far as I can make out is a maximum of 12% wear before chain has to be condemned. Fortunately it passed this.

The wooden blocks were stripped down and the straps widths adjusted by 3mm. This allowed for the use of 12mm shackles which would then be able to 'turn' on the strap. The alternative was to try and find / import a 14mm shackle....nope.....a real pain but wasn't going down that route !

In the meantime, have asked an old university acquaintance who does some steel forging, to make sail hanks. Sample looked good so placed the order.....was supposed to take between 3 and 4 weeks. Still waiting, almost 2 months now.
Is it me or Cape Town / South Africa / Africa time !!

For images see 'Up2 July 2019'

Its been 2 months since the last update........how time flies when you are having fun : /

At the beginning of Sept the aluminium masts arrived. Must admit, they look all shiny and new. Some pics in the link.
However, we had made our decision and we are going with the steel / gaff rig. We are still trying to find a buyer for them : ((

On the masts, firstly, at end Sept we received a bill from the builder - who had paid the designers on our behalf ! I was furious ! In fact I still am !! A few choice words was said to Andrew.

Secondly, out of about 7 companies approached to fabricate the masts; I got given a cover price by 1 (which was 50% more than the estimate); I was messed around for almost a month with string him along until the quote is due and then dont return his calls etc by another; a yes we are keen but nothing heard further from another, no return calls to enquiries from about 3 companies. Only 1 company who within 7 days of being approached said upfront they could only do it by end Feb 2019 and at a cost of...X !
The service ethic of engineering companies is pathetic ! I thought that the economy was on a downward trend and that even a small job like this, would be a welcome start to the new year. Evidently not !
Oh yes, guess who got the job....that 1 company who actually applied themselves !

The floors to the cargo hold were also being installed at this time., and the windlass baseplate had been cut and was being primed. The main boom had received its 1st coat of oil and the foremast boom was being prepared for oiling.

By mid Sept, the booms, gaffs and bowsprit had been sanded, plugged where required and received i1st coats. Material is Oregon and Mahogany. End fittings were mainly stripped of and being cleaned in preparation for painting / shining up.

Internally, framing for head linings, edgings and trims were in progress to the aft cabins.
The overhead lockers had to be trimmed because of the linings.
The saloon furniture was inside and roughly placed.
The forward cabin bench bunk was being resolved.
Andrew had decided to change the headlining material to a 6mm reconstituted pvc board.
Generally lots of little fiddly stuff happening everywhere.
The hydraulic tank position had been resolved and is now with the pumps etc in the aft cabin.
The shafts were about to be ordered....
The pedestal frame was in progress.

Andrew is still pushing for putting in the water end Nov this year.
HA.......


By early Nov, the booms, gaffs, bowsprit had all been oiled.
The saloon floors were in and the furniture had received its primer.
The forward cabin bench bunk mockup was ready. This also allowed for the working out of the stairs to the forward hatch.
Headliner 'battens' were in progress forward.
Aft joinery was being fitted.

By end Nov, the forward cabin had been sorted. The stairs were in, the bunk bench was in, the 'divider' between storage and berth had been cut, and headliners were going in. The actual pvc sheet looks good but the fixings may be a bit over the top..... : (
Unfortunately the stairs couldn't be made to work athwartship and as the hatch opens forward, there is a strong tendency to grab onto the open hatch when climbing out.....mmmm, going to have to think something up here else its going to get damaged : /

Aft cabin trim is progressing.....so very very slowly.....

Seems that Andrew has fired a carpenter and a few others.....on the up side is that the old carpenter is back. He is good, but he is slow !

When asked when completion would be, there was only a very evasive reply 'I really cant say'....
When pushed, maybe end March.
Hahahaha.....at this rate, maybe end July
If my estimate is correct, that will mean this has taken 2 years 8 months.......for #+*^ sake !!

In the meantime, I have been trying to keep myself busy. Harken had quoted a staggering ZAR30 000 per 18mm wooden block ! Altho mine aren't as 'finessed' as theirs, I am doing a 20mm Ash block at about ZAR600 excluding my time. I have done 39 in 3 weeks (Mon to Fri). Thats about 1/3 of the way done at a fraction of the cost !!


For images see "Favourites - September October" & "September October 2"

Last week of August 2018

As usual there doesn't seem to be very much progress at first glance. But things are moving along slowly.

The hull above waterline has reached a stage of finish that is acceptable to Andrew and it has been given its primer coat. Must admit, it changes the whole ‘look’ of the boat, kind of gives an ‘almost finished’ feel !

The bowsprit has been sanded down completely and is currently under ‘wraps’ to try and sweat it, before doing any further work to it. The boom and gaffs are in process of being sanded down. Once done, they will be left to dry out a touch - the varnish has trapped moisture and Andrew wants it to dry thoroughly, before any more work is done to it.

Andrew was reminded about a discussion we had early in the process, about the 2 attachment points to the rudder…..just in case we needed emergency steering, we could attach block and tackle to it…..

The saloon floor was in process of being made….well, it had been made, just needed to be sanded down.

The handrail stanchions have been tightened up. I think they will keep my fat arse from going overboard….at least I hope so !±

The engine room is progressing slowly. Port side exhaust box is in and all elbows and outlets are done. Starboard side exhaust box is being faired before painting.
The old shafts have been replaced and used to align the engines. Required adopter plates and couplings are made / done.

In forward cabin, the stepped floor has been fitted. Ceiling panels are being 1st fitted,, before being trimmed and finished. The forward ladder will be the next ‘big’ item. Once this is in place, the left over space will be arranged into shelving and cupboards etc.

All of the bathrooms have been painted, ready for trim fitting. Looks really good.

The panelling to the aft cabins is in progress. The reinstallation of the divider cupboards will be the next big item in this area. Once this is done, then there is the ceiling and a small amount of trim that needs to be done. Finished.

The hydraulic rams, quadrants and tanks are all in. Final coupling up required once everything is ready.

The pedestal frame has been made. Discussion followed about what and where instruments etc will be. Basically for now, all the old stuff goes into the cargo hold / ships office area. We will only run an iPad and rudder indicator at the helm. As soon as we can afford, and as an interim measure, a wifi capable transponder will also be placed at the helm. The instruments will then be wired to the transponder, giving all info to the helm.
One of the issues using a tablet externally for navigation, was waterproofing the item, as well as providing waterproofed power. iTabNav.com solved those problems. At this stage I cant comment on the products yet, but what great service !!

We are told that there is an additional claim for the new props….the engine rework required larger props than the originals, and this change wasn’t in the budget. F !!

Andrew also says he has received a bill from the yacht designers for the work ‘they did’ for the masts…..hahahahaha…..sod that ! they used the drawings i gave them, did jack shite for a number of months and only did the bare minimum when I started screaming. I have no issue with paying for service, but in this case…..I will wait and see what Anton du Toit has charged for the shite service, before I make a decision whether to pay or not !

Generally, we are very happy with the quality of work being done. Yes it is taking a very long time, but……

For images, see “Favourites - end August”

Mmmmm, I seem to have stuffed up the dates some. Seems I have another set of notes and images for the end of June.....!

oh well, this will be end June to beginning August.
Four visits have happened over this time. I will try and keep in some 'order'......

By end June, the masts still had not arrived. Some fairing / patching was happening where welding had occurred.
Chain locker drains and stanchion bases were in place. I was concerned that the stanchions were 'terminating' to close to the bow....
A decision was made to go with the more traditional netting under the bowsprit.
Last of the heads basins was being set in place, and the 1st of the heads porthole surrounds was being made.

The deck locker cutouts around frames was being 'stitched back together' again.
Tanks were being final fitted.
Forward cabin framing for ceilings and panelling, as well as insulation installation was being done.

Drains to deck lockers were being fitted

By mid July, the stanchions had received a top rail. The coachhouse soft patches had been reinstalled.
The exhaust outlets had been fitted and elbows installation was in process.

The cargo hold floor and ceiling framing had been installed.
All the heads had received a primer coat in preparation for painting.
The chain locker internal drain pipes and bow thruster support bracket had been installed.
Additional flooring was being prepared for the forward cabin floor.

The aft cabin portlights and repacking of insulation were in process.
Templates for the coachhouse glazing had been prepared.

A decision was made to stay with steel masts and a gaff rig. Provisional costs had been received for new steel masts......now we just have to sell the aluminium masts and boom.....if they ever arrive !

By the 1st week of August, fairing of the hull in areas that was not up to Andrews standard was being carried out.

Stanchions had been primed prior to getting the cap rail.
The aft portlights and internal cabin sides had been dry fitted for final ok by Andrew.
The rudder with new bushes etc had been replaced. New stern tubes were also in.
The steering quadrant and steering rams had been replaced.
Exhaust boxes and piping were in process of being 'dry fitted'.
The aft heads had been painted.
The forward cabin flooring and joinery was commencing with the resolution of the step over the bowthruster.

For images see 'Favourites - June to August 1, 2 & 3'

So, end of June it is !
Not a lot has happened over the last 2 weeks……whats new !
Admittedly, it has been raining, a lot !

Family is with again as the normal Thursday meeting didn't happen.

The masts still haven’t arrived. We did say 3 weeks, so hopefully by end of 1st week of July…….

I have received costs for the fabrication, post fab galvanising, and delivery to the yard, of the steel masts. If we decide to go this route, and assuming we only manage to recoup about 1/3 of the aluminium mast costs, we will be out of pocket about 60k. But this will give us clarity. It also gives quite a bit of versatility which the aluminium route doesn't.
I am not sure what the South African insurers rules are regarding an aluminium masts lifespan, but I do know we were advised in Antigua, to replace after 10 years. I am fairly sure, if the steel is galvanised post fabrication, not drilled etc etc, that we should get more than that…..which is also a plus.

Some fairing at the stanchion welds has happened.
A small leak at the poop deck step was welded. Hopefully that is the last one !

Most work has happened internally.
Last of the basins is being fitted. Portlights are being tightened up and covers fitted. One of the aft portlight surrounds has been placed, while another 2 are in process. Must admit, it looks quite neat.

All the tanks have finally been bolted in place. One tank - just 1 - wouldn't fit into its designated space. Turns out there is a frame in the way so the tank had to be ‘rebated’ to accommodate the frame.
This led to an interesting discussion about the setting out of the boat. They had found that some frames weren't exactly squared. One of the coachhouse windows, on starboard side, had to be trimmed internally to fit at a frame. This did not have to be done on the port side tho as the frame was centred….and yet everything lined up externally.

The suggestion that internal panels need to be removable for hull inspection was taken. In the heads areas, the panels will be inside cupboards so as to retain the ‘wet area’ integrity as far as possible.

Ceiling subframes are being installed. Ceilings will be installed in workable panel sizes with cover strips covering joints, which will also make access possible.

A general discussion was had regarding electrical installation & wiring colours.

The bowsprit / stanchion junction was discussed. I wanted to go the more ‘traditional’ route with cables and netting, whereas Andrews advocated the pulpit with continuous handrail idea. Giselle and I discussed at home and have decided to go with the more traditional wire and netting.

Altho we have asked, and asked, we are still waiting for the designers costs….

For images, see 'Favourites - end June'

3 weeks has passed.....and its been raining.....quite a lot !
Missed the regular Thursday fortnightly so am doing a Saturday with the famdamnily instead.
When you look at it, not a helluva lot has happened. But when you delve deeper, stuff is happening. Slowly.

For the first time the majority of the work focus seems to be on the internal fit out as opposed to the hull / structure. Not all, but most : /

The stanchion based have been removed and 'cut back' so that they aren't as far from the gunwale....which becomes an issue at the step up to the poop deck. so these have been adjusted....and thereby we have lost the fitting points for the block strops. decided we will probably drill holes into the exposed frames at the gunwales....its there, may as well use them !

All the hatches are in and are being protected by wooden boxes. The portlights, other than the aft 4, are in. Must admit looks good.
The aft portlights require a 'tapered' lining which must be inserted first / together with the portlight. These are in production at the moment.

The side lockers have been fitted and the hatches have been cut.

Internally, the aft cabin sole and new furniture has been placed. Damn, the flooring looks really awesome !
The aft and forward heads washbasins have been fitted, cupboards door 'holes' have been cut. All is in process of being fitted together. Also looking good, even tho its still odd colours.
The chain locker watertight bulkhead has been completed. The locker drains are being faired externally.
The forward heads / cabin partition has received some adjustment to stop water splashing from the wet area onto the cabin timber sole.
The old structure from the old hatch had to be trimmed away so as to allow for a continuous ceiling.

A long discussion was had regarding completion. Again.
Andrew is adamant that end November she will go into the water, with handover probably towards mid / end Feb.
For f.....lowers.......!

The issue of mast delivery and design was discussed.
Again.....!
Seems it will now be here in 2 weeks time !
And once here, the designer will come check it out, after which we will meet and finalise any design issues.
Giselle and I have decided to give 3 weeks until we make a decision on the masts. This cannot go on like this. If there is any further delay, we will make a call irrespective. We want clarity !

Personally, I don't believe that the designers are going to be able to meet our 'requirements', by using the aluminium masts. I just don't see us being happy with the outcome, but I will give the benefit of the doubt for now.

In the meantime, I have approached fabricators to get a feel for the cost on steel masts fabricated, galvanised and delivered to the yard.
In addition, have asked for costs of aluminium masts and boom, for our edification.

Should we go the steel route, hopefully we will be able to recoup some of the cost by selling the aluminium masts.

For images see 'Favourites - Mid June'