Its been a slow 2 weeks…..and the welder is off sick again !

The bow thruster tube is almost all welded in, but not quite yet. Then they have to replace some of the stringers, form the leading edge outside, and cut / grind down the trailing edge, and then prime.

One or two other small rust holes were found altho they don’t seem ‘serious’ and have been dealt with.

The existing square hatch openings have had their corner fillets welded in so that the new hatches fit properly.

Other than the tube, all of the below waterline has received primer.

On deck, the hatch areas are being (re-)sanded, drilled, prepped and primed, prior to the finish coat going on.

The hatch wood trims have all had a 1st fix which allowed for the drilling of the deck plates. Any adjustments have been made to the timber frames to allow for camber etc.

The ‘joinery’ to the saloon has been primed. Andrew is not happy with one of the curved sections so some ‘remedial’ work is being done to that.

Most of the hatches and portlights have arrived - Vetus didn't have enough in stock so the balance is evidently on its way over…..

The big hold ups are :
the welding to the bowthruster. Once this is done, the joinery can commence in the forward cabin
the saloon joinery. Once this has been (re-)placed into position for final check, and then removed, the temporary floor can then be removed and the welders can come finish the fiddly bits in the ER
the portlights and hatches. The aft cabins cant be made watertight without these, so the joinery final fix cant start

No word yet on the shafts, nor the rig design……

Maybe next month will be better !

For images see ‘Favourites - End Feb’