Some progress at last.

Finally got back working on the boat after too long decorating the Lounge. First job is to paint the starboard fuel tank bay. But there's an exhaust system in the way, so first-first job is to remove the exhaust system, remaining wires and fuel pipes.

Due to the torque tube steering system on the port side, the Aft Cabin Huntsman 31 has a single exhaust on the Starboard side, so somewhere there needs to be something to join the two engine exhausts into one pipe: Here is the beast. Removing it, is one of the few two man jobs so far encountered. Well, one man with screwdriver and one wife to hold the spanner on the nut buried inside a bit of wood.

Made of brass or bronze or copper (still haven't found out) and brazed together. Mine was plastic coated (till I took it all the plastic off) it also appears to be zinc painted or something. Perhaps AVB can remember what they were constructed of.

The plastic on one input pipe was badly melted which would suggest that an engine had been run for a while without the sea-water cooling sea-cock turned on. Which all goes to show that boat restoration is equal parts engineering; woodwork; boatbuilding and archeology. With some gynaecology thrown in - you try getting the plastic coating off the inside of a 4 inch pipe!

(Now playing: Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells)

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.



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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.


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