Once in a Blue Moon

It's the last day of 2009. Progress has been made on the boat this year: The underwater fixings have been replaced on the port side and she now has been painted. Several coats of surface and filler and paint and she almost looks ready to anti-foul and launch - until you look at the starboard side which is still bare wood and old screws and...

The cabin roof has been restored and the cabin sides are almost ready for their final coats of paint. the deck is repaired and glassed ready for it's new 'teak' layer.

Today is also special because the moon will be full for the second time in the same month - this is what's known as a Blue Moon (still not sure why). As I only post on the blog once in a Blue Moon, expect the next post in about two and a half years time :-) Except my New Year's resolution is to work harder and faster on the boat and photograph and blog more often and still keep up with everything else that needs doing.

The photo shows a major milestone: the port rudder assembly being re-united with the hull. this involved digging a hole in the drive and then fiddle the heavy rudder and tube assembly into the boat. The inner support woodwork has also been replaced and of course, require minor fettling in order for the tiller to operate without hitting various screws and plates. The only slight cock-up was putting the anode fixing bolts in the wrong way round. When it stops raining, I'll go outside and re-fit them.

The drive blocks are now back in position and almost level - I don't think she noticed.

Happy New Year, and have an enjoyable and safe year on the water.



----------------
Now playing: Billie Holiday - Under A Blue Jungle Moon

Five Years on

I received a letter through the post the other day reminding me that Mirak's Part 1 registration was due for renewal. So that's five years since she arrived here. Doesn't seem possible. but I guess the MCA are correct.

I looked around the boat the other evening - alot of half finished jobs, a lot of bits in the garage; shed; loft; workshop; lounge etc. But I think I can see the progress: Most of the woodwork repairs are complete and there's paint on the hull, and the fore-cabin roof is now finished, complete with polished handrails and ventilators fitted, so that's quite a big job. The old teak deck has been removed and the plywood subdeck repaired; glassed and is ready for the new laid decking (another big job). The Cabin sides are now in dark blue undercoat, so she's starting to the look the right colour.

However, the hull still has half the fixings to replace below the waterline, and it needs filling; sanding and painting. So still a lot to do.

Here's to the next five years? No - two more years and she'll be on the water and I promise not to rescue any more classic boats until Mirak's launched. Just need some decent weather.


----------------
Now playing: Eva Cassidy - Who Knows Where The Time Goes

Going Dutch

Both chine rails were somewhat the worst for wear due to damage caused by travel-hoist slings. The fix - a stainless steel plate screwed over the top to protect the wood - caused rot where the water had penetrated between the steel and the chine rail

Not wanting to change the whole rail, I decided to cut out the rotten wood and place a new piece in, suitably glued and screwed. These pieces are sometimes called "Dutchmen" (because they plug a hole) or "graving pieces".

Picking up the old hole positions was achieved by taping some tracing paper over the old rail after removing the fixings. the classic brass-rubbing technique with soft pencil, located the holes fairly accurately. The tracing paper was then transferred to the new lump of wood and the holes marked through with a bradawl. The end holes were drilled first and the piece temporarily screwed in place to check alignment. At this point one or both of the end holes can be remarked if necessary.

Once satisfied, the remaining 12 holes were then marked and drilled. On fitting the new piece again, 13 out of 14 holes lined up with the originals. the odd one met up with another fixing in the chine log. It was opened out to allow the screw to find it's previous hole.

The rot was then removed using a power planer, mallet and chisel and block plane. It's worth ensuring that all the old screws and nails are located and removed before doing this, otherwise, you'll get nicks in the blades of the planer.

Once satisfied with the fit, the new piece was epoxied and screwed into place with new fixings. Slightly proud so it can be re-profiled to match the shape of the chine rail. the screws are deeply countersunk and filled with suitable filler.

Just got the other side to do now.


----------------
Now playing: Candy Dulfer - Lily Was Here