I know this is long overdue but it reflects the lack of time and amount of work that has taken place since my last blog.
To update those following this blog, I completely stripped the boat out to track down all the possible leaks and to give access behind the headlining for fixing the new deck fittings. Our house, my shed, Rika’s greenhouse and the van are now full of gear that needs sorting and cleaning. Not to mention my attempt to build a deck mounted Calor Gas storage box that will double as an aft seat to help with possible cockpit seating/crowding.
I have to say a great big THANK YOU!!!! to Rob and Chrissie, my brother and sister in law, together with Monty their Schnauzer teenage pup who travelled all the way from Tankerton, nr Whitsable, Kent in their Motorhome, to help. After a let-down with a camper site close to the Marina they managed to get a spot at http://www.sunnydalefarm.co.uk . This meant a daily 3 mile cycle ride with Monty in a tow behind trailer. Undaunted, it’s good to report this resulted in a very productive four days of great weather and great company working on SV4 (Sea Ventures IV) I’m writing this with aching shoulders and a very good sun tan.
The list of work I posted in my last blog has now had a great hole put in it:
- Chrissie has sanded and painted over half the deck and doghouse
- Rob completely renewed all the filters and replaced the oil in the engine. He has set up an engine specific tool kit and spare parts.
- I managed, with the help of Adrian my son, to build the winch pillars and installed the bolt fixing to fit the larger winches too. Adrian has promised to complete the fixing of the winches next week.
- Rob and I secured the hatch and hatch garage down; Rob did a very professional job in sealing the edges with marine mastic. (Years of working on classic cars and windscreens.)
- We made a great start in re-sealing and moving deck fittings and bolting on the rubbing strake.
All this sounds very concentrated but we did find time to enjoy the comings and goings of the marina http://www.mdlmarinas.co.uk/mdl-port-hamble-marina. A busy boat share company, Flexisail boats were in and out full of families and adult groups all having a great time. The adjacent vacant pontoons saw a continuous turnaround of visitors visiting Hamble and the onsite popular bar/ restaurant the Banana Wharf Bar they have a great range of food on an extensive menu; Thai green curry with stir fry vegetables being a particular favourite of mine.
Captain Monty positioned himself on the foredeck so that he could inspect each boat as they came and left, barking his orders in the manner of a conscientious Harbour Master. The occupants were either bemused or dismissive in the manner of leisure boaters everywhere.
Away from the boat, work has continued; Rika, in addition to the general support she gives me, has cleaned all the upholstery cushions, sail cover, inflatable dinghy bag more to rid them of the stale odours of a winter’s inactivity than grime. Chrissie continues to work wonders with the social media side of things as well as designing and producing tee shirts. One of these will be provided to all crew members.
They can be purchased by other supporters at £25 each, all profits will be put towards the target event fund through Just Giving. Sizes: Small, med, large and extra large
