Rhyddid - live the questions now

Progress - at last

Well it has been a while since I last posted an update on the boat. It got very frustrating as progress was very slow because of the weather and when the sun was shining there appeared to be no work going. It all came to ahead last weekend when Steve promised they would be working the weekend, he had forgotten it was Mothering Sunday, and then nothing happened. A fairly blunt email was sent and the result is a new timetable and everyone is friends again.
As you can see from the pictures the boat has more paint, all the internal supports have been removed so it is possible to move around without have to practise you limbo moves! The engine bay is ready to receive the engine which should be today, so it is behind plan, but that is boat building but it is moving forward again.

Holes!

I received another picture from Steve earlier, the good weather has helped and he has been able to cut holes for all the windows on one side, no idea if it i port or starboard., I will have to wait to do my training course for that.

Weekend and boat news

So the boat has it's sides welded in place. The window holes will be cut during the week and the frame for the rear deck will be in place for next weekend. I ordered 150m of 50x50mm planed timber to prepare for the line out and I have decided where I can fit all the batteries, well there are 7!! It gives me a 1000Ah, lots of power! We should still be on course for the engine fit on the 19th March, I do hope so I had to pay for it on Friday, lots of money.

Sunday I had a very muddy walk with the GOC around Great Horwood in Bucks. I have been wetter on a walk, but I really don't think I have every been muddier!

Good weekend

Well the boat is making really good progress, Steve has got both sides on and tacked in place so they can be welded completely during the week. The roof sheets are ready to be placed and then we can mark the windows ready to be cut. The frame for the rear deck will get made during the week so by next weekend, weather permitting, it should really look like a boat.

I fired the generator up on Sunday, quite what the point of the pull start is I'm not sure because I almost pulled my arm out of it's socket trying to start it. I gave that idea up and used the electric start! Perhaps I need to lift some weights or something.

Boat builder and technology

Well Steve being a user of technology has sent me the picture of the boat showing the frame in place and just at the rear you can see the stern taking shape. How did we manage before phones? More later hopefully.

Boat news at last!

Well at long last some boat news. What with a lack of steel and then the weather the boat ground to a stand still, but at last the steel has arrived and Steve is pressing on. Then I had a phone call from Channelglaze to say the windows are ready and will be delivered tomorrow, so by next weekend things will be looking good.

My generator

I took delivery of my generator last night. It is still at home until I actually start fitting out the boat, but not long now!

A rudder

The boat build slowed down a bit this week due to the slightly naff weather, but you will see from the pictures that there is a rudder inplace and the front locker is almost finished. The cabin is due this week and Channelglaze have told me the windows are in fabrication and due next week. It should look more like a boat next then!

More boat pics

I met the boat painters on Friday. A bit vague about time frame for the job as they need to find somewhere closer than their usual base to paint it. So I will press on with the rest of the jobs and see what they come up with. I have made a decision about the insulation and I am going with Thermoboat. I will post a question on the Canal World forum to see if anyone else has used it and to what effect but the extra space I will gain inside was the final clincher. I should be looking at Heritage stoves tomorrow or Wednesday so more later.

Next update

Well I went to the boat show on Friday and bought an engine. Not the one I was planning, but a Shire 45. Also got a lot of information on the electrical side including solar panels and, most important, looked at toilets and tanks.
Went to the boat on Saturday and took some more pictures. As you can see the bow is well on the way and the water tank will be going in soon. I am meeting the painters at the boat Friday to sort out painting and after looking at diesel cookers at the boat show I have decided the cooker will have to be a Heritage Uno so that needs ordering. It is all getting rather exciting!