Working on the inside of the boat has been a bit of a mission over the last 2 weeks, as summer in NZ has started early, with temperatures inside TC getting up to about 35c!.
The heads are now white, not the trendy 80's cream, it could have been worse, avocardo, how tastes change...
Monday 20 December 2010
Thursday 2 December 2010
Thursday's Child
Thursday's Child poem
Mondays child is fair of face,
Tuesdays child is full of grace,
Wednesdays child is full of woe,
Thursdays child has far to go,
Fridays child is loving and giving,
Saturdays child works hard for his living,
And the child that is born on the Sabbath day
Is bonny and blithe, and good and gay.
The Name
This is one of the most serious discussions Mr & Mrs DIY have had about our boat project, to change the name of Thursday's Child of Lee, or leave it as it is.
The names considered were - Crispy Bacon (a family joke) and it related to this boats past, Duamara - a name that had a lot of memories for Mrs DIY, Indecision III - the name speaks for itself!
The first one was ruled out as being to 'cute', the second still a possible, the 3rd I ruled out as I got sick of people asking me who was the indecisive one! - the name of our last boat was Indecision II.
So at this point it looks as though we will keep it as Thursday's Child - I quite like the song and Mrs DIY, the poem.
The names considered were - Crispy Bacon (a family joke) and it related to this boats past, Duamara - a name that had a lot of memories for Mrs DIY, Indecision III - the name speaks for itself!
The first one was ruled out as being to 'cute', the second still a possible, the 3rd I ruled out as I got sick of people asking me who was the indecisive one! - the name of our last boat was Indecision II.
So at this point it looks as though we will keep it as Thursday's Child - I quite like the song and Mrs DIY, the poem.
Thursday 25 November 2010
Portholes and More
The portholes are slowly being replaced,-(finished yesterday!) the system I'm using/used is to replace the aluminium framed units with pieces of 6mm dark grey acrylic cut to shape and glued and bolted to the outside of the deck using Sika 259Uv adhesive. 
- it gets everywhere, with the added bonus of the black primer melting my gloves - I now have a couple of very attractive black fingers...
It's a bit fiddly doing without help, one large porthole means at least 20 trips down below to move the nut clamps - a compulsory step aerobic class.
The end result looks ok- I think almost as good as the original and the boat now has sunglasses.
The inside is moving along, with the first coating of varnish, now applied, the next section of the refit is the upper bulkhead (ceiling), we are covering it with wood (tongue and grove), this will cover the fittings, wiring and hold the insulation and LED lights in place.
The next challenge will to be to sort out the wiring, although the switchboard was completely demolished in the fire, all the wiring which was below chest level is ok, if a bit messy in parts, being sprinkled with sticky melted vinyl.
- it gets everywhere, with the added bonus of the black primer melting my gloves - I now have a couple of very attractive black fingers...It's a bit fiddly doing without help, one large porthole means at least 20 trips down below to move the nut clamps - a compulsory step aerobic class.
The end result looks ok- I think almost as good as the original and the boat now has sunglasses.
The inside is moving along, with the first coating of varnish, now applied, the next section of the refit is the upper bulkhead (ceiling), we are covering it with wood (tongue and grove), this will cover the fittings, wiring and hold the insulation and LED lights in place.
The next challenge will to be to sort out the wiring, although the switchboard was completely demolished in the fire, all the wiring which was below chest level is ok, if a bit messy in parts, being sprinkled with sticky melted vinyl.
Monday 15 November 2010
Woodworker
I was trying to decide how I was going to cut the new curved sections that go on the ends of the bulkheads and doors (hatches) and had decided to ask the local joiner if they would be able to cut them out of the timber that I would supply.
No problem, in fact they let me do it myself using the equipment in the factory - it's nice living in a small village.
The boss said come back anytime if I needed to use any of the equipment.
No problem, in fact they let me do it myself using the equipment in the factory - it's nice living in a small village.
The boss said come back anytime if I needed to use any of the equipment.
Wednesday 27 October 2010
P118 Progress
That's the number of the hull, I just found it and now see them everywhere, transom, stern...
I had a call from the 'nice man' at Volvo Marine to tell me our engine was very sick and the best think we could do was to sell it or use it for a paper weight.
Oh well it's not that I hadn't expected something like this, the poor old thing was quite old.
We have now completely cleared the insides, the new galley has been fitted.
The engine bay has been re-lined and now looks new and shiny, with it's new soundproofing.
The hull has been fully insulated and re-lined and the internal furniture is starting to be fitted.
All the plywood seat covers are sanded and varnished.
Last weekend the weather was perfect and we were able to take all the usable swab foam out of the container together with the newly varnished covers out in the sun, the newly painted covers were dry within an hour, role-on summer.
To date my biggest mistake has been the repair of the portholes - I should have followed my instincts and done them the same way as our last yacht (Farr 1020), which was to seal and bolt them through the glass hull.
So it's do it again
An expensive mistake, lets hope this is the only one!
Just had a good news phone call, the motor has been sold to someone who wants the gearbox, so from a complete loss I have now have a $1000.00 to put towards the new engine, only another 11K to go!.
I had a call from the 'nice man' at Volvo Marine to tell me our engine was very sick and the best think we could do was to sell it or use it for a paper weight.
Oh well it's not that I hadn't expected something like this, the poor old thing was quite old.
We have now completely cleared the insides, the new galley has been fitted.
The engine bay has been re-lined and now looks new and shiny, with it's new soundproofing.
The hull has been fully insulated and re-lined and the internal furniture is starting to be fitted.
All the plywood seat covers are sanded and varnished.
Last weekend the weather was perfect and we were able to take all the usable swab foam out of the container together with the newly varnished covers out in the sun, the newly painted covers were dry within an hour, role-on summer.
To date my biggest mistake has been the repair of the portholes - I should have followed my instincts and done them the same way as our last yacht (Farr 1020), which was to seal and bolt them through the glass hull.
So it's do it again
An expensive mistake, lets hope this is the only one!
Just had a good news phone call, the motor has been sold to someone who wants the gearbox, so from a complete loss I have now have a $1000.00 to put towards the new engine, only another 11K to go!.
Monday 27 September 2010
Galley
The galley is almost ready to be installed, only some final sanding and varnishing.
The bench tiles have been removed as we both have a aversion to 'brown' the new black ones are ready to be fixed, Note: the glue/adhesive made it a difficult job to get them off, I'm still finding bits everywhere.
Most of the remaining Teak ply that has not been replaced with the Maple has now been painted, this is making the inside of the boat a lot lighter and 'modern'.
Mrs DIY is discussing the new upholstery fabrics with my interior designer sister, I'm sure it will look great when we get to that part of the fix.
Friday 17 September 2010
Gallery/Workshop/Chandlers
The gallery has been converted into the storage for boat bits and workshop for the cutting out of ply. polystyrene and fabric.
A great place to work when the weather is wet and windy as it is today with a major storm covering the most of NZ.
Saturday 4 September 2010
Earthquake Proofing
Saturday and the big earthquake in Christchurch today has prompted me to go around the house to secure things that may take off in a earthquake, something I have been meaning to do since we moved into the house.
They are still saying that we are still to get the big one!
So armed with angle brackets, all move-able items are now screwed to the walls and/or fixed to the floor.
I think I will put an extra edge on the shelves in the pantry (fiddle) to help if we have a quake, it may stop the glass and crockery from hitting the floor.
The house should be OK as I added extra bracing in all the walls when I built it.
I did the calculations and it gives us double the current earthquake requirements.
They are still saying that we are still to get the big one!
So armed with angle brackets, all move-able items are now screwed to the walls and/or fixed to the floor.
I think I will put an extra edge on the shelves in the pantry (fiddle) to help if we have a quake, it may stop the glass and crockery from hitting the floor.
The house should be OK as I added extra bracing in all the walls when I built it.
I did the calculations and it gives us double the current earthquake requirements.
Tuesday 31 August 2010
Bulkheads
The new bulkheads have now been completed replacing the ones that were damage by the fire.
The biggest mess/damage maker in the fire was the smoke.
The toxic smoke produced by the vinyl, coated everything with a thick black stinky sticky mess.
Being a production boat the woodwork in most cases was only screwed so by clearing this, it was a fairly simple job of ripping out the linings, exposing the glass hull, which was only dirty and cleaned up well with detergent and water.
The transformation from black to nice clean new timber and glass has been quite dramatic.
All the bulkheads are now Maple which will make it look a bit lighter, I will be fitting insulation throughout which will help extend our cruising, so together with the heating system (Wallas 2400) that was in the boat we should be able to use it all year round.
I was surprised that the hull was solid glass and not a cored foam and glass, when working at night with the light showing through the hull it look quite spooky.
Monday 30 August 2010
Spring - It's Official
Winter ended yesterday and today it's officially 'spring' so I thought I would show you a picture of our blossom lined drive.
Tuesday 24 August 2010
Quick Update
A short post to let my many 'followers' of the boats journey.
It's starting to look a little less like a coal-mine with the new bulkheads being installed.
The next big thing will be to get the engine out of the boat, which is sitting in the companionway taking the place of the steps inside, the crane should be here this week so it can be serviced - I hope there are no nasty expensive surprises!
It's starting to look a little less like a coal-mine with the new bulkheads being installed.
The next big thing will be to get the engine out of the boat, which is sitting in the companionway taking the place of the steps inside, the crane should be here this week so it can be serviced - I hope there are no nasty expensive surprises!
Monday 2 August 2010
Fibreglass Itch
The boat stripping still seems to be an endless task, now with the added enjoyment of having bits of fibreglass finding ways into ones underclothing making life a little itchy!
Although I wear a full disposable coverall, still enough of the fibres get to places... already a number of clothing items have been consigned to the rubbish as being too uncomfortable to wear.
This week the engine will be removed for a full service/overhaul as the aged Volvo probably hasn't had anything done to it for 24 years..
As I go through the boat deciding what needs doing, I have come to the conclusion that the past owners were very lucky people making it from Trinidad through Panama and across the Pacific to NZ.
The front hatch was only a simple day sale type with 2 small catches not suitable for ocean sailing in it's new home of the Wellington Cook Strait area.
Glass boats can flex quite a bit in heavy weather and it's easy to pop the wrong sort of hatch, plus the boat had only one very small electric bilge pump which in test moved a cup of water every 2 seconds!, which could make entertaining sailing.
These of course are going to be fixed as I tend to be a bit of a belt and braces person.
Although the boat has been built to Lloyd's specs I will be glassing in some extra beams under the deck as we can get some big seas around this part of the island.
The new panelling for the bulkheads has arrived, so fitting of that should start by early next week.
I will post some pics as soon as this stage is reached, maybe next week.
Although I wear a full disposable coverall, still enough of the fibres get to places... already a number of clothing items have been consigned to the rubbish as being too uncomfortable to wear.
This week the engine will be removed for a full service/overhaul as the aged Volvo probably hasn't had anything done to it for 24 years..
As I go through the boat deciding what needs doing, I have come to the conclusion that the past owners were very lucky people making it from Trinidad through Panama and across the Pacific to NZ.
The front hatch was only a simple day sale type with 2 small catches not suitable for ocean sailing in it's new home of the Wellington Cook Strait area.
Glass boats can flex quite a bit in heavy weather and it's easy to pop the wrong sort of hatch, plus the boat had only one very small electric bilge pump which in test moved a cup of water every 2 seconds!, which could make entertaining sailing.
These of course are going to be fixed as I tend to be a bit of a belt and braces person.
Although the boat has been built to Lloyd's specs I will be glassing in some extra beams under the deck as we can get some big seas around this part of the island.
The new panelling for the bulkheads has arrived, so fitting of that should start by early next week.
I will post some pics as soon as this stage is reached, maybe next week.
Wednesday 14 July 2010
Thursday's Child Arrives
The day arrived when our new project arrived.
All delivered on time with the crane arriving at the exact time the transporter arrived from Auckland, "just perfect"
We had to make the cradle props insitu but this was achieved without to much stress.
now all we have to do is the refit.
At this point we have had TC for about 2 weeks and it's already been stripped out and the burnt and smoke stained interior is being brought back to normal, it's moving faster than we had expected and at this point we 'might' have it in the water by January 2011.
Monday 21 June 2010
Thursday's Child of Lee
It's a little like going down into a coal mine when you go below.
I am bringing it back home, a trip of 817 km on the back of road transporter, it should take about 12 hours.
We will set it up behind the Cedar hedge, luckily we have plenty of space, plus a spare sea container that I can turn into a workshop while we work on our new project. ( I told Mrs DIY it would come in handy one day...)
The launch date has been set for May 2011 (watch this space!)
Note: Thursday's Child - has far to go...
Sunday 16 May 2010
While I Was Away
Before I left for Auckland to look at boats. We had 4.5 cub M of lime chip delivered for the side outside courtyard.
Mrs DIY stayed at home, as someone had to look after the dog.
While I was enjoying myself in Auckland looking at yachts, Mrs DIY moved and spread the huge pile of chip by herself!
What a great effort.
The next step is to build the pergola and install the stone (concrete) table ready for next summer's long lunches. (i hope)
Tuesday 6 April 2010
Easter
We had the daughter and partner with us for the holiday really good to see them again, a little easier now they are not on the other side of the world, (we are going to be grandparents again in about 3 weeks!)
It has been a busy few weeks with my sister making a flying visit from Perth, one of the jobs we had to do was to scatter the ashes of our much loved aunt in the sea along were she used take her walks on the beach.
Makes you think of your own mortality, so it's now full steam ahead to get another yacht while we both are fit and can still both handle a sail boat.
None of us is getting any younger!
Thursday 11 February 2010
Deck
At last, the blog is getting some attention, I have been otherwise occupied with doing other stuff including, my colouring-in and building a deck.
Now we (I mean the dog) won't bring dirt into the house from 'his' alternative entrance into the house!
Monday 11 January 2010
Xmas Projects
One of the big projects that we planed for Xmas was to transform the pile of bricks that we purchased at the next door auction last year.
As you can see it's a glamorous job requiring strength, a good eye for a straight line and the ability to be consistent in the building process, none of which for this little task I have.
The end result is a little rustic but I will put that down to the various sized bricks that I had to work with to create the curved wall, now called 'Ilene'
(note) By popular demand I have included the other side of the wall...
The lone brick in the foreground will be a 'tree'.
As you can see it's a glamorous job requiring strength, a good eye for a straight line and the ability to be consistent in the building process, none of which for this little task I have.
The end result is a little rustic but I will put that down to the various sized bricks that I had to work with to create the curved wall, now called 'Ilene'
(note) By popular demand I have included the other side of the wall...
The lone brick in the foreground will be a 'tree'.
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