Work in Progress!

We have been back in the water for a couple of weeks now, in the 'wet dock' area.

On the wet dock

Warmed by the evening sun

Spring ducklings for company

I have been working on the boat pretty much full-time, often into the evenings.

Painting jobs have been coming on and our colour scheme is extending through the boat.
It is a slow process to do thoroughly.

Kitchen doors painted up

The other major activity has been to 're-instate' the wooden floor deck in the front hold – removed when I investigated the source of water getting in.

This resulted in pulling forward the water tank and cleaning up, rust proofing and re-painting the fore hold and tank.
I also re-designed how the sheets are attached to the hold (subject of a future blog!) in order to keep dry!

Archive photo of the saloon during our diy refit – showing the hold - 2007

Archive photo showing the water tank and rusty hold 2008

Water tank boxed-in with the 3x2” framing 2013

At the wet dock, I can spread out onto the hard bank and make some nose and dust!

Yesterday it was drizzling. Rob the Boat Joiner is also working on a boat next door – he comes fully equipped!

Rob's professional set-up

Anton's diy set-up

After much measuring, sawing, planning – oops, sawing and in and out the boat:

Deck planks laid ready

These were then varnished (2 coats) on the back and painted in red oxide – today they get fitted!

A pleasant diversion – the tug Zephyr being re-floated after it's blacking docking.

 

 Simon and Gary – our happy engineers – job done!

 

 

 

 

 

There's Painting and PAINTING!

We have come to the end of our 5 weeks docking.

The new gas locker is fabricated and I am very pleased with the neat welding work and tidying up of the locker bulk head done by Simon together with a new gas pipe shut-off, armoured pipe and regulator. Alan, also from Overwater Services Gas Safe tested the gas system and gave advice on ventilation, in advance of our Boat Safety Examination later this month.

We now have the gas locker for two 13kg bottles and a dry locker.

I finished the weekend painting up the locker and preparing the boat to go back into the water this week.

Posh painting of one of the top lights

Gas locker and red oxide primer

Gas locker front with angle bar footing for the new wooden platform to go over the (white) water tank

The bow painted up – 'starters' before the bow pattern

Also see the tarpaulin over the cratch board as a 'temporary' measure to keep the rain out!

We left Cheshire to travel up to our Durham Co. family.

They live just a short drive from the Shildon Locomotion Railway Museum [link ] and so a brief visit was in order.

My son had been down to see the A4 Dominion of Canada, in an undercoat.

Today, the No. 4489 A4 was in it's garter blue finery.

Work in progress for the July 3^rd Great Gathering of the 6 remaining A4's at York

 

The Dominion's unique bell – a Canadian Pacific Railroad type bell – put on in June 1937 when re-named from the original 'Woodcock' to the Coronation Commonwealth A4's

The bell was apparently operated by steam!

Shiny LNER (in stainless steel lettering) tender

 Another shiny loco – the Duchess of Hamilton in streamlined 1938 newly built colours

 

 

 

 

Welding and Painting!

We are now into our 5^th week of our extended docking.
The Tuesday boat turn around saw the paint shed empty and us alone.

Tues at 10.00am

Tues at 12.00 noon

The next boat coming in for painting is nb Foxglove, a 70ft Roger Fuller Tug with a lovely throaty Gardener 2LW. The skill and care taken by the engineering team to get this big boat into position was pretty amazing to watch.

nb Foxglove waiting it's turn

Loaded and underway

Simon, the engineer, with a cheery wave!

Swinging 70ft

 

Reversing in

At an awkward angle – driver Gary makes it look easy!

 

Tight fit though!

Almost there!

 

As this week has seen improving weather, I have taken the opportunity of our extended stay on the hardstanding and next to the paint shed to get a lot of painting done.

At last, the rear panels have a second (and final) coat of dark grey gloss.

With much appreciated help from Alex from the paintshed!

The replacement gas locker is nearing completion – hopefully in time for re-launch next week?!

Still work in progress!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wind and Welding!

We are now into our fourth week on the hardstanding outside the workshop at the Marina.

Although the rain has mostly held off, the wind has continued to be strong and gusting – really cold for the time of year.

Boat city – tucked in against the workshop

This has put a hold on any outside painting – though a brief sunny interlude tempted me into doing a final top coat on one of the rear cabin panels. To my embarrassment, the paint was too thick and I ended with sags and runs!!

It will just have to be sanded off and I'll have another go!

I have been most grateful for the use of a small end of the paint workshop and have been able to repair and paint the top lights, clean and paint the poles and plank and paint up the kitchen side doors. All very helpful.

Finishing black crescent to the top light

During our Leeds and Liverpool cruise last summer, we experienced a lot of water getting into the anchor locker. The up-stand at the forward edge had been taken down to make room for a rather ill-fitting locker lid!

Old lip – showing a meagre 6mm

Simon the Engineer has welded in a new and taller 20mm up-stand with wings which I hope will considerably help. If need be, I can also use this edge to tape a protective plastic over the top?

New up-stand

Work has then moved to sorting out the rusty gas locker.

Old gas locker ready for cutting – for ease of access

Dave the engineer cutting out the old rusty base plate

Simon laughing at the amount of rust?!

Ready for measuring up for new plate

Welding gear and the new base and 3” tray takes shape

Still work in progress!

And we are due to go back in the water this Tuesday!!

Where are the Boats?

Out and About at Salford Quays.

Last Tuesday was boat movement day here at Overwater Marina, when boats whose work is completed are re-floated and another batch of boats brought up to the workshop hardstanding. We have been here for 2 weeks now.

Our boat was moved – though to a different position on the hardstanding – next to the workshop. This is in readiness for the gas locker welding work needed.

Our boat being loaded onto the trailer

Removing the chocks

 

I had a long-standing dentist appointment in Manchester, so left the Engineers to it.

As we were to be in Manchester, we had arranged to meet up with some friends near Salford Quays. Chris went on early, while I had a walk around the Quays.

Effectively, this area has been completely re-vitalised from the old docks.

It was officially re-opened by Kenneth Baker, Minister for the Environment in May 1986.
The area continues to fascinate me with the range of buildings slotted next to the old quays.

The 'newish' lift bridge from the Lowry piazza to the south bank and the War Museum

The Imperial War Museum North – looking along the Manchester Ship Canal, westwards

The Rank Hovis Mill, behind the Museum

The Manchester Ship Canal was opened by Queen Victoria in 1894 and the Manchester Docks became the 3^rd busiest port in Britain, until the decline of the 1970's.

Iconic, and rather rusty, dock cranes – a sentimental nod to the past

Striking architecture

 

Huron Basin – but where are the boats?

You may be aware that the BBC has re-located here from London, to the new Media City.

 

Metro links to Greater Manchester

The choppy canal water, overlooked by the Museum

The Lowry Theatre, opened in 2000. Spot the trip boat!

The only other boat around! HMS69 is a party trip boat

Back to the Marina – here is our new location next to the workshop.

We are scheduled to have the gas locker work done this next week!?