https://rhyddid.typepad.co.uk > Rhyddid build

The floor

The floor

Well, this will be the floor of my boat.


A piece of steel.

A piece of steel.

Yep it is a piece of steel, but it's mine and it's the floor of my boat.


The first weld.

The first weld.

Close up of the first weld. Yep it is a 2p piece. It is 2mm thick so it guarantees the spacing.


These will be the roof!

These will be the roof!

Steve assures me that this pile will be the walls and roof!
And you thought MFI flat packs were difficult!


Honest it's a boat.

Honest it's a boat.

Well it's taking shape. The ribs are in place to hold the ballest in place and support the floor. The sharp end is towards us.


Surf board

Surf board

Well, at this stage it is just a 60' surf board and considering the level of the canal whenthis was taken a surf board would have been useful!
The blunt end is nearest to the cmaera.


A side!

A side!

Well at last I have sides.


Sharp end

Sharp end

So it is fully 60' feet long and the right width. Now I just need the rest of the sides in place.


Lots of steel

Lots of steel

Well the sides are all inplace. Lots of braces to keep it all square during welding.


More braces

More braces

Taken from the blunt end, lots of bracing and a large welder.


A rubbing strip

A rubbing strip

This will come in handy when it's in the water


Beginning of the stern

Beginning of the stern

The 'blunt' end takes shape.


This is called the swim

This is called the swim

This bit makes sure that water goes past the propeller. Always handy!


No it isn't a river!

No it isn't a river!

Well it must be water tight as the rain water isn't running away. It does look long as well.


And a pointy end as well!

And a pointy end as well!

Yep I even have a bow! That's the pointy end.


Finished bow

Finished bow

The finished bow. It is not a proper Thames front, but very close. The up sweep is 6 inches and I think it works well.


From the other side

From the other side

This side needs a bit more work.


Skin tank

Skin tank

The sun came out at just the wrong time, but you can just see the skin tank, it is the boat answer to a radiator.


Weed hatch

Weed hatch

Mean while at the back end, or stern, the weed hatch is in place. The rear deck will have a small up sweep of two or three inches.


The bow takes shape

The bow takes shape

You cannot see it very well because I took these pictures on my mobile, but the bow does look rather good.


Rudder tube

Rudder tube

The verticle pipe is to hold the rudder.


Engine room

Engine room

Give it a few more weeks and the engine will be living here. Just hope it fits okay! The extra box with the two holes is called a skin tank and keeps the engine cool.


A ton of water

A ton of water

This will be my water tank and Steve calculates it will hold about a ton of water. Hopefully that will mean I don't have to fill up every day.


Front locker

Front locker

The front locker is taking shape and the hole for the bow thruster. The bollards have been ftted as well.


Rudder!

Rudder!

Yep a rudder as well, complete with a small flag. The boat emblem.


Kipor

Kipor

My generator has arrived!!


Green house?

Green house?

So the boat looks a little like a green house.


Looks like a real boat!

Looks like a real boat!

Another picture from Steve the builder!


The sides in place

The sides in place

As you can see both sides are in place and ready to be welded along all the seams.


My flag!

My flag!

Steve puts an emblem on each boat, so I opted for a flag.


View inside

View inside

It just looked good!


Rear deck

Rear deck

The rear is complete with the deck going on this week.


Engine bay

Engine bay

Well yes, it's the engine bay.


Windows!

Windows!

Well inspite of the rain Steve has managed to cut some windows holes.


Lots of holes!

Lots of holes!

The good weather has helped and I know have holes all down one side.


More holes

More holes

I really must learn my port and starboard, any way holes on the other side.


Roof in place

Roof in place

The roof sheets in place prior to the hand rail going on.


Fuel tanks

Fuel tanks

The fuel tanks taking shape.


Now you see them

Now you see them

Prior to the supports coming out.


Now you don't

Now you don't

All the supports have been removed so it is possible to walk up and down the boat.


Engine mount

Engine mount

This is the engine mount taking shape.


Painted side

Painted side

The side painted waiting the windows being covered.


Shiny black

Shiny black

Nice shiny hull on the boat.


Engine bay complete

Engine bay complete

This is the engine bay waiting the engine fitting.


The engine is in!

The engine is in!

Yes at last the engine is in the boat!


The engine 2

The engine 2

Another view of the engine!


And a battery

And a battery

The engine and battery, plus switch.


Windows!

Windows!

These are the budget version! Still they come with black surrounds and double glazed!


3 tonnes of blocks

3 tonnes of blocks

This is what 3 tonnes of concrete blocks looks like if you lay them flat!


Wings!

Wings!

The small side wings are taking shape.


»