I need your help!

I have spent some time completing a worklist audit on Seaventures and I’m getting a bit concerned I will not be able to complete all this on my own to get started at the end of April.

I really could do with some help if anyone has the time. Against each job below I have estimated the number of people and time it will need to complete these. Many of the jobs requiring people will take 4 times as long if I have to do it on my own and some will be impossible, so some voluntary help would be greatly appreciated.

If you have some time to spare could you let me know which job you feel you could do and the time/date you could spare I can then ensure all the necessary equipment is ready for you.

Thanks in advance - Geof



* Loosen, renew sealant under guardrails and other fittings and re-secure. Two people 2 days
* Replace guardrail wires 1 person – 1 hour
* Renew life lines 1 person – 1 hour
* Sand down and apply new seasonal coat of paint to the topsides. Two people – 2 days
* Tune new fixed rigging Two people – 2 x 1 day
* Set out new system for new running rigging and replace ropes Two people – 1 day
* Freshen internal lockers with a coat of locker paint. Two people – 2 Days
* Repaint saloon and companionway steps with non- slip paint one person x 2days
* Sand and re-varnish internal woodwork 1 person x 1 day
* Re connect instrument and lighting wiring 1 person x 1 day
* Help finish internal decorations 2 people x 2 days
* Help finish installation of new hatch garage system 2 people x 2 days
* Help with GRP work for installation of new larger winches 2 people x 1 day
* Check and replace worn serviceable marine diesel engine parts 1 person x 1 day
* Set up spares and tools kit for engine. 1 person x ½ day

Interested in signing up for part of the trip?

I thought the drawing above would be of interest to anyone wanting to sign up for any part of the trip. The aft cabin of Seaventures IV is currently a kit and clobber area but will be functional by the time we set off. The bunks are all 6ft 4 inches in length. On overnight passages I normally occupy the main saloon port (left) berth and try to set a starboard tack course (Wind coming across the Starboard side of the boat and heeling to port. It has sailing right of way, over boats on the opposite Port Tack) so that I’m thrown out of my bunk if there is an unplanned change of tack. However, sleep arrangements in harbour and depending on the make-up of the crew can be changed to fit. A “Habitent” is on order to cover in the cockpit when in harbour; this could also double up as a bunk area for a young person, or to banish a heavy snorer.

Update of preparation progress

The great news is that the house alterations are nearing completion so I will soon be able to dedicate all my time to the preparations of Seaventures. I have managed to measure and cut out some timber to make up some extra cupboard space in the heads (toilets) and in the hanging locker opposite. This will greatly assist with storage when fully crewed and certainly help keep the toilet paper dry. On my last trip down I discovered a small drip leak in the galley (Kitchen area) which caused a bit of damage to the newly fitted headlining and laminated cabin side covering.  I didn’t have time or the weather to properly track it down, I just bunged some sealant where I though it needed it. This will be a priority job on my next visit.

The chaps that have been helping me with the work in the flat have expressed an interest in coming down to the boat to do some work so I will get them to brighten up some paint work on the next sunny weekend.

As Seaventures IV is 50 years old the original gel coat has long since disappeared under coats of paint so any new fitted additions to deck gear is easily blended in with another coat of paint. Correct paint thinning, good preparation and application keeps old GRP boats looking new as well as providing much better weather protection than the gelcoat.  Anyone wanting to improve their painting skill, I have plenty of boat to practice on.

A problem I’ve been wrestling with regarding the widening of the pillar base for the new self-tailing main winches looks to be overcome as I have asked a laminating company to make up a tubular piece of GRP which I will cut to fit around the original winch pillar and resin it in. Having self-tailing winches is going to make life so much easier when tacking.

All that is required is a nice bit of weather, but if not there is plenty of cosmetic work below decks to get on with. I’ll let you know how things are moving forward next week.

The Blog Site

Confession: The improvements in the blog site are not due to my increased IT knowledge.

I’m really pleased and grateful to say Chrissie Mienes, my Sister in Law, has very kindly agreed to keep this blog site looking good and updating it for me.