Restoration Project 7: She Floats

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Yes, our restoration project bobs on water!

Logically we knew she would (after all the boat yard commissioned the engine at sea in September) but based on the premise that "seeing is believing," apprehension was certainly building until she was launched off and tied to a pontoon ready for us to board her on Wednesday.


The new heads (toilet), gas piping, rewiring, and heating all work too. The replacement window seals and forehatch as well as sea cocks all appear water tight and that newly installed engine and propeller mean she positively glides through the water, although the intention is, of course, to use sail power.

On the down side, the connection at the top of the mast leading from the wind vane to the cable connecting it to the instrument display appears to have corroded worse than was thought, preventing an electronic reading of the wind speed and direction. It looks like that might be yet another rewiring job to add to the list. 

There's still a pile of work to start, never mind complete, especially on the painting, varnishing and electrical front, not to mention reconstruction of the galley area.

The aim for now though is to try to enjoy some summer sailing with the basic facilities on board, whilst continuing to shuttle various bits between boat and home to work on.


We have sourced a local upholsterer and are having those "perfumed" berth cushions replaced piecemeal. Although the original scent has been almost eradicated, the foam inners are worn and updates will be more comfortable for sleeping. So on this trip I made templates for the two cushions required in the forecabin. Whilst Mister E and the eldest set about preparing for launch off, I was down below with thick paper, tape and scissors, confident that the two would be mirror images of each other. Life is never that simple. Instead I had to return once we had moored her in the bay, to make a second. With a swell coming in and the wind building , it was a lesson in how long I can work in a confined space below deck before turning green: just long enough to make one template is the answer.

I have always enjoyed sleeping on board sailing boats at anchor or tied to a buoy; with the gentle movement of the waves, it is as though you are being rocked in an enormous cot by Mother Nature. Unfortunately on this occasion it felt more like being astride a vigorous rocking horse when the toy room decides to play rodeo bronco.

We are hoping the see-saw experience is not a taste of what's to come and that a bad combination of wind direction and tide was solely responsible. Otherwise, those berth cushions may be unnecessary as we definitely won't be sleeping up forward and I may even be insisting on terra firma.

Link to previous instalment: Restoration Project 6



Comments

Stephanie Jane said…
She looks absolutely lovely and I am sure you will have many happy sailing hours :-)
26 May 2019 at 22:02
Caree Risover said…
The fingers are crossed!
28 May 2019 at 08:20
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