Another 2 weeks working on the boat...
Last time I mentioned some rust...it was far worse than I had expected - and so the boat was launched and promptly pulled back out again!
Jacoba now has a new bottom! Most of the boat had already had a "double" skin - the hull is now almost 120 years old and so it has been very sound considering that it was originally rivetted - using rivets and tar!
Robin and I took her out for a spin to try out the new strernthruster - but I checked the underbed area and found water welling up under the old concrete ballast! We put her back in the shed, where it was obvious that water was leaking OUT from yet another place! - so two holes, at least.
Our boat expert had just had his holiday to Majorca cancelled due to the caronavirus and we had an extra week in the shed - so, another 2 days work and she was ready again -
- or so we thought!
A brief dip in the water and it was found to be still leaking - along one of the welds at a weak spot - so another go with the welding - and yet another launch!
And so, today I was a bit nervous about the launch - but all was good and so we filled up with water and I did some cleaning up - to get all the grinding dust off. I redid the bed base and made a cuppa!
So here the photos - with some added explanation
The first launch...
The 4mm thick steel sheet - exactly cut in half lengthwise - half on each side of the keel.
Some of the old rivetted construction - welding over these can be messy as the tar inbetween starts to melt and burn - I was on "fire watch" inside the boat for most of the welding.
This was the bit that hadn't sealed properly - the black smudge is the line of the weld - the sheet could have been 2 centimetres longer - I'll have to keep an eye on it and maybe extend it next year - there is still some of the original hull that hasn't been "doubled".
Launch # 3
Finally got the new (but original) name in place...
and a replacement shore power connection...
It's only taken me 10 years, but I finally figured out how to get a shower from the water boiler - it will only be in good weather if we are away from "normal" facilities - simple garden hose fitting and a hose and shower rose through the porthole!
Jacoba now has a new bottom! Most of the boat had already had a "double" skin - the hull is now almost 120 years old and so it has been very sound considering that it was originally rivetted - using rivets and tar!
Robin and I took her out for a spin to try out the new strernthruster - but I checked the underbed area and found water welling up under the old concrete ballast! We put her back in the shed, where it was obvious that water was leaking OUT from yet another place! - so two holes, at least.
Our boat expert had just had his holiday to Majorca cancelled due to the caronavirus and we had an extra week in the shed - so, another 2 days work and she was ready again -
- or so we thought!
A brief dip in the water and it was found to be still leaking - along one of the welds at a weak spot - so another go with the welding - and yet another launch!
And so, today I was a bit nervous about the launch - but all was good and so we filled up with water and I did some cleaning up - to get all the grinding dust off. I redid the bed base and made a cuppa!
So here the photos - with some added explanation
The first launch...
The 4mm thick steel sheet - exactly cut in half lengthwise - half on each side of the keel.
Some of the old rivetted construction - welding over these can be messy as the tar inbetween starts to melt and burn - I was on "fire watch" inside the boat for most of the welding.
This was the bit that hadn't sealed properly - the black smudge is the line of the weld - the sheet could have been 2 centimetres longer - I'll have to keep an eye on it and maybe extend it next year - there is still some of the original hull that hasn't been "doubled".
...and from the outside...repaired
Bed base back in order...
Launch # 3
Finally got the new (but original) name in place...
and a replacement shore power connection...
It's only taken me 10 years, but I finally figured out how to get a shower from the water boiler - it will only be in good weather if we are away from "normal" facilities - simple garden hose fitting and a hose and shower rose through the porthole!
...and so the boat is ready...BUT at the moment there are a few Provinces who are continuing with the Winter timetable for bridges and locks - not at all a regular season for the "watersporters". Our own haven is only open to members and even then the toilet/shower block has been closed.
We have closed the Care Farm - but are continuing to have contact with our clients - it makes me think about just how important our role is for them - quite apart from the business aspects for us!
I've been cooking for 5 for the last 3 weeks as Ben is home and Robin and Joy are staying here - "out the back" is empty at the moment!
Robin and Joy brought a car load of Portuguese wine with them - they were for on the boat, but we have found them to be quite agreeable, given our current circumstances.
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