Humber Bridge

Humber Bridge
December 2014

We spent a very subdued Christmas in Hull this year.

Sadly John, my Father in law, died on the 20th December and there were reminders of him at every turn as the family gathered and offered each other what support they could.

After several days of grey Sunday 28th dawned clear and bright so I took myself off to the foreshore beneath the Humber Bridge, the longest span in the world when built in 1981.

With a low winter sun hovering low over Lincolnshire there there was some excellent light for one of my favourite subjects.

Guess what Santa brought me for Christmas?

My new watery toy
December 2014

Imagine my delight when I opened my Christmas present and out dropped, with a very heavy thud, a bright gleaming Sea Searcher magnet.

Halfie was recently extolling the virtues of a genuine Sea Searcher over the cheaper welders magnet alternative and I had completely forgotten that Helen was present whilst I expressed my desire for one.

Happy Christmas one and all!

New Year comes early on Wand'ring Bark

New fire project takes a big leap forward

December 2014

Well, they do say the New Year is all about "Out with the old and in with the new".

Following the removal of the old stove a couple of weeks ago I paid WB a visit and reconfigured the hearth support to accommodate the slightly larger footprint of the new stove which used to grace the saloon of Yarwood.

The hearth was widened by a couple of inches and the front was turned into a more pleasing curve, but the big event had to be postponed. By the big event I am referring to  actually getting the new stove into place and making sure it all fits as expected.

WB's new stove in situ

The old stove was a bit flimsy and perhaps the mark of the difference in quality is apparent in the fact that I carried the old stove to the car hanging it on one hand, whereas the new one is too heavy for me to lift alone, let alone get it out of Montgomery's hold. For this manouver I needed extra muscle in the shape of Mr Whateley, founder member of our recovery crew. 

For the time being both boats are lying side by side in our marina, my neighbour having left last week. With the slot empty agreement was obtained to leave the butty alongside to facilitate construction work on the strict understanding that I will vacate immediately if called upon to do so. With about 10 of the short slots vacant on our side I am hoping this request will be later rather than sooner. 

Anyhow, back to the task. I spent the morning constructing a floor in the front locker of Montgomery, covering the slab ballast and reusing the Hexagrip board which used to be the engine cover till the edges rotted away. I cut off the soft outside two inches and the rest of the board was as good as new.Just as I finished this task in a bracing three degrees along came Martin and between us we hauled the stove over the gunnels and into Wand'ring Bark.

It was with some trepidation that we sat it onto the plinth.It all seemed to fit ok but the real moment of truth was when we dropped the pipe down through the roof collar. Would it fit or would I have to endure the delay and expense of having the pipe cranked? As it happened the pipe slid down and strait into the collar waiting below.Spot on.

Nor the project will enter another hiatus. The fire surround has to be tiled and the necessary bits and bobs are all on order, but deliver wont be before Christmas. 

New Fire project - getting the old one out

New Fire project - Getting the old one out

November 2014

Having completed the front lockers its onto project number two, replacing the solid fuel stove.

As you may recall, we acquired a replacement stove from Joe and Lesley of nb Yarwood back in the summer and since then it has sat in the hold of Montgomery awaiting fitting.

The stove is 12 years old has been struggling of late. In recent years I have had to replace the back flue blanking plate, the window glass, window retainers, door seals and now the flue has broken free of the body of the stove. With the fire bricks crumbling and the throat corroding its time to replace.

Freeing the stove pipe from its collar

I started at the top, drilling out some of the fire cement which was holding the stove pipe on place. With a hole created I ran the jig saw round the old flue pipe and managed to free it from the collar. With the lugs securing the pipe to the stove broken it was simple to lift the pipe up and rest it on a batten over the fire.

Releasing the stove body

Fore some strange reason the stove was not bolted down, which will account for its movement around the hearth over the years, and the broken connection with the stove pipe. However, this did make removal easy as I could just pick it up and carry it outside.

 An empty recess

On removal I had a look at the back and was alarmed to discover rust holes around one of the back boiler blanking plates. This will account for our inability to fully restrict the inflow of air! Looking at the state of it its not really safe and certainly not airtight.

 The rusted back of the stove

Does anyone want any spares to a Valor Arden stove - free if you collect!

Then it was onto the tiled hearth, bashing and smashing with a hammer and chisel to prepare the recess for adjustment (the new stove is slightly wider) and then re tiling. More to follow as the project progresses.

One interesting observation about the relative build quality between the two stoves. I carried the Arden to the car in one hand but lifting the new stove is a two man job.

The deadline for this task is the end of Feb when the boat will be used as accommodation after a friends wedding reception.

New Locker Project

New Locker Project

November 2014

We have a long list of winter boat maintenance projects on our to do list, not least the long awaited front lockers / seats in the bows.

The catalyst for this particular task was the purchase of two sheets of Buffalo Board to make new engine and gas locker covers. The old ones were 12 years old were so weary that there was a significant chance of water getting in so new boards became essential. In for a penny and all that so I bought enough to construct the long awaited lockers.

The basic frame is built

This it a tricky job as there are no right angles to work with so everything is built by eye, fitting where it touches. I settled on a freestanding approach, with a false floor in one locker to take windlass's etc and the other one with no base to accept water bottles, water hose and other wet stuff.

... and then covered with Buffalo Board

The project started with the rusting floor being stripped repainted to give a good base.

After spending a couple of mornings on the task things are shaping up. One locker is just about complete with its  Buffalo Board sheeting applied and a hinged lid fitted on. The other has its frame built, a mirror image of the first, and the main panels cut out.

Just one more session and they should be complete, leaving me ready seal the raw edges and then move onto the big job of the winter, the replacement of the solid fuel stove.

Update 29th November:

I spent another three hours on this project and completed the second locker, a much easier task with something to copy.

 The finished tesult

The end result is pretty good, although I still need to seal the raw edges to prevent water ingress.And then there is the table.......