If you haven't yet looked, take a squint at the comments at the bottom of the posts headed "First weeks at Fareham", and "Welcome All".
We are really pleased to receive comments, clean of course.
Also welcome to new page viewers from Indonesia, New Zealand, Brazil and Cambodia !!
Feel free guys.
Tuesday, 23 July 2013
Recycling !!
It is very much in our minds to recycle whatever we can in the refit, hence saving the old timber for the wood burner in the winter.
I am very fortunate in my job, travelling the south of England to survey for new signs to existing, new, and refurbished buildings, including banks, gyms and fast-food outlets. Normally every one of these sites has a skip for rubbish and materials no longer needed.
A bank had a hoarding around it during it's 4 week refurb, made of 6'' x 2'' timber in 12' lengths. The site agent told me that it was being skipped on completion. All I had to do was turn up and help them remove it, helping myself to some 250' of good timber !! This has been used to build the steps onto the roof, the new wheelhouse structure and roof, as well as a staircase up to the boat as it stands on the hard. At least the dog can now get herself on board, instead of carrying her up a ladder.
Next came a refurb on a gym. A young lad was busy with a wheelbarrow, back and forth to a skip, they were throwing away all the cast-iron weights and barbells, as the new are rubber-covered. Hence we acquired the extra ballast we need for the boat.
Another skip at a gym provided 2 boxes of expensive acoustic insulation which has insulated all of the wheelhouse roof and most of the saloon roof.
Yet another gym, whose large hanging signs in their atrium, were being replaced, provided 8 off 10' x 8' sheets of 10mm foamex which has been used for hull insulation and the initial lining for the wheelhouse which was then skinned with ply.
Another bank took over an office block and stripped the carpet tiles, as they have to have their corporate coloured tiles. The old, which were in good condition, completely filled a skip. After loading about 200, I thought I had enough.
I hasten to add, that in every case, the site agents were asked if i could forage in the skips, as yet I have never been turned down !
I am very fortunate in my job, travelling the south of England to survey for new signs to existing, new, and refurbished buildings, including banks, gyms and fast-food outlets. Normally every one of these sites has a skip for rubbish and materials no longer needed.
A bank had a hoarding around it during it's 4 week refurb, made of 6'' x 2'' timber in 12' lengths. The site agent told me that it was being skipped on completion. All I had to do was turn up and help them remove it, helping myself to some 250' of good timber !! This has been used to build the steps onto the roof, the new wheelhouse structure and roof, as well as a staircase up to the boat as it stands on the hard. At least the dog can now get herself on board, instead of carrying her up a ladder.
Next came a refurb on a gym. A young lad was busy with a wheelbarrow, back and forth to a skip, they were throwing away all the cast-iron weights and barbells, as the new are rubber-covered. Hence we acquired the extra ballast we need for the boat.
Another skip at a gym provided 2 boxes of expensive acoustic insulation which has insulated all of the wheelhouse roof and most of the saloon roof.
Yet another gym, whose large hanging signs in their atrium, were being replaced, provided 8 off 10' x 8' sheets of 10mm foamex which has been used for hull insulation and the initial lining for the wheelhouse which was then skinned with ply.
Another bank took over an office block and stripped the carpet tiles, as they have to have their corporate coloured tiles. The old, which were in good condition, completely filled a skip. After loading about 200, I thought I had enough.
I hasten to add, that in every case, the site agents were asked if i could forage in the skips, as yet I have never been turned down !
Monday, 22 July 2013
Roof and sides covered
The existing roof was fairly good 12mm ply covered with paint-saturated canvas, so we matched this with new ply over the new extending timbers, then finally covered the whole roof with a further layer of 9mm ply, over-lapping any joints, and using copious amounts of pva glue between the layers.
When screwed down, the glue ran through all the joints and screw holes. When we finally went below there were multiple white stalagmites hanging from the underside of the roof where the pva had found it's way through the joints !
The cabin sides followed, again 9mm ply, used so we could bend to follow the curve of the horizontal gunwhale, and twisting it to follow the vertical curving.
The old existing windows were cut in and temporarily sealed, finally all joints filled with epoxy and all given two coats of acrylic white primer. The whole superstructure will be glass-fibered over at a later date.
The wheelhouse width will be the same as the old one, so steps had to be built to get from the side deck up on to the roof, then finally it was on to the wheelhouse re-build.
When screwed down, the glue ran through all the joints and screw holes. When we finally went below there were multiple white stalagmites hanging from the underside of the roof where the pva had found it's way through the joints !
The cabin sides followed, again 9mm ply, used so we could bend to follow the curve of the horizontal gunwhale, and twisting it to follow the vertical curving.
The old existing windows were cut in and temporarily sealed, finally all joints filled with epoxy and all given two coats of acrylic white primer. The whole superstructure will be glass-fibered over at a later date.
The wheelhouse width will be the same as the old one, so steps had to be built to get from the side deck up on to the roof, then finally it was on to the wheelhouse re-build.
View towards the new steps. Note the brown pitch pine capping to the gunwhales, bottom middle.
This had to be chiselled off, 2 full days ! Also note the timber outlining the wheelhouse, this was acquired !!! More about that in the next post.
Tuesday, 16 July 2013
Topsides
First job, clear out all that we can, then cutting off the saloon roof away from the sides and raising it by 6 inches to give a full internal height of 6'3''. This involved using temporary timber internal supports and a lot of hard lifting. The roof was then extended out to the gunnels and timber work installed ready to cover.
I can not fully explain how difficult it is not knowing whether anything is level and some severe head-scratching was done at many intervals. The difficulty is that towards the bow, the curves are complicated by running downhill from the bow and also out towards the fattest part of the saloon.
I can not fully explain how difficult it is not knowing whether anything is level and some severe head-scratching was done at many intervals. The difficulty is that towards the bow, the curves are complicated by running downhill from the bow and also out towards the fattest part of the saloon.
Following this the old wheelhouse roof was bolted to the front of the saloon roof to extend over the old cuddy cabin deck and fresh extension timbers added, leaving a short foredeck for the capstan.
Note the war wound to the bow, just above the bow-rollers. This was done when she was towed in by the lifeboat, they aimed it at the quay not realising that she was not under power, and smacked the quay hard.
Not sure if this will come out, it is very thick aluminium section.
On the Hard !
First job - Scrape her bottom !
Bought a random orbit sander from Machine Mart, lasted 2 days before burning out, so took it back for replacement.
Big job, took ages, lying on my back, but finally getting to a stage where we could fill any dimples in the gelcoat ( under the waterline ), using an epoxy filler, then paint with grey filler primer. This will need anti-foul painting just before she goes back into the water.
Pam started sanding down above the waterline, but we eventually realised that it would be sometime before we would refloat her, as we are able to live aboard on the hard-standing. So, drop everything on the hull and start on the topsides.
Bought a random orbit sander from Machine Mart, lasted 2 days before burning out, so took it back for replacement.
Big job, took ages, lying on my back, but finally getting to a stage where we could fill any dimples in the gelcoat ( under the waterline ), using an epoxy filler, then paint with grey filler primer. This will need anti-foul painting just before she goes back into the water.
Pam started sanding down above the waterline, but we eventually realised that it would be sometime before we would refloat her, as we are able to live aboard on the hard-standing. So, drop everything on the hull and start on the topsides.
Sunday, 14 July 2013
Further welcomes !!
Also being viewed in Romania, Russia, Norway, Denmark, and Ireland.
19 hits in Russia, 21 in Romania !!
Amazing how this interweb thingy has altered our lives.
Thaks also to John and Tom, regular watchers who have become followers, feel free, all are welcome !
19 hits in Russia, 21 in Romania !!
Amazing how this interweb thingy has altered our lives.
Thaks also to John and Tom, regular watchers who have become followers, feel free, all are welcome !
Thursday, 4 July 2013
Welcome all
Just realised I can work out where all you page viewers live !
Hello to all of you living in the UK, USA, France and Greece !!!!
Hello to all of you living in the UK, USA, France and Greece !!!!
Arrival at Hoo
They were ready and waiting for us at Hoo, and unloading onto a cradle was quickly accomplished.
Many thanks to Terry and Eric ( Shoreline Transport ) for a job done professionally and prompt !!
For those interested parties, at a cost of £900 plus vat. Well worth it compared to a three day sea trip at 12 knots, burning 8 litres of diesel per hour !
The Move part three - Gosport to Hoo
Loaded and accounts settled, the road beckons, with us following behind. Driver Eric makes it look easy and very soon the M27 /A3 / M25 and A2 are a memory, as we arrive at Hoo
There is something disconcerting watching your boat do 60mph on the A3
The Move part two - Gosport and beyond.
So, all safe and sound at the boatyard overnight.
We arrived the following morning to find that the boat had been lifted out, held in slings and had been powerwashed, and the transport was waiting to load.
We were told that her weight was 11.5 tons after powerwashing, but was just under 12 tons before !!!
Nearly half a ton of barnacles and weed etc. !
It was nice to see just how solid the hull was, but made us realise the work needed to prepare her for sea again. The hull looks enormous and she is very flat-bottomed, probably the cause of the bad handling.
We arrived the following morning to find that the boat had been lifted out, held in slings and had been powerwashed, and the transport was waiting to load.
We were told that her weight was 11.5 tons after powerwashing, but was just under 12 tons before !!!
Nearly half a ton of barnacles and weed etc. !
It was nice to see just how solid the hull was, but made us realise the work needed to prepare her for sea again. The hull looks enormous and she is very flat-bottomed, probably the cause of the bad handling.
Berthed at Gosport before lifting out
Loading commences
The Move part one
So the day for the move arrived, along with a rising tide and a strong onshore wind, but alas no Pilot ( the seller was going to accompany us up to Gosport boat yard but no show ), so rather than miss the tide we went for it.
Leaving the mooring was not easy as it was tight between pontoons, so we warped the boat off on an opposite pontoon and with Pam manning the boat hook, I leaped aboard and opened up.
A strong onshore wind is not good when first trying your new boat, and we quickly learnt that she handles like a sick pig at low revs. After several attempts to come alongside the outer pontoons, we gave up, put her head into the wind and set off, no going back now !
The journey down river was fun, with both of us taking turns on the helm. During Pam's spell as Coxswain, a fairly fast rib came out between some moored boats, and she informed me that a CAR was coming, Awww bless !!!
During the trip, with a Brittany ferry approaching, Pam asked me what we should do if we had an emergency, I replied that we only need to drop anchor and call the Coastguard, only for Pam to remind me that I had stowed the anchor and chains in the saloon ready for the road journey, and that we had no VHF connected, WHOOPS !
Never mind, all went well until we arrived at Gosport boatyard, trying to manouvre between expensive boats, and finally heading for the berth pointed out to us by the boatyard guy. Luckily he fended us off and all was well. We had successfully completed our first voyage.
The sad part for me was going past all the RN ships, moored up waiting for sale or scrapping, including HMS Ark Royal. Ask yourselves - could GB ever provide a task force in the future, should it be needed ??
Video of the run to Gosport follows.
Leaving the mooring was not easy as it was tight between pontoons, so we warped the boat off on an opposite pontoon and with Pam manning the boat hook, I leaped aboard and opened up.
A strong onshore wind is not good when first trying your new boat, and we quickly learnt that she handles like a sick pig at low revs. After several attempts to come alongside the outer pontoons, we gave up, put her head into the wind and set off, no going back now !
The journey down river was fun, with both of us taking turns on the helm. During Pam's spell as Coxswain, a fairly fast rib came out between some moored boats, and she informed me that a CAR was coming, Awww bless !!!
During the trip, with a Brittany ferry approaching, Pam asked me what we should do if we had an emergency, I replied that we only need to drop anchor and call the Coastguard, only for Pam to remind me that I had stowed the anchor and chains in the saloon ready for the road journey, and that we had no VHF connected, WHOOPS !
Never mind, all went well until we arrived at Gosport boatyard, trying to manouvre between expensive boats, and finally heading for the berth pointed out to us by the boatyard guy. Luckily he fended us off and all was well. We had successfully completed our first voyage.
The sad part for me was going past all the RN ships, moored up waiting for sale or scrapping, including HMS Ark Royal. Ask yourselves - could GB ever provide a task force in the future, should it be needed ??
Video of the run to Gosport follows.
Tuesday, 30 April 2013
Preparation for move.
So, a move to the Medway is planned. This meant stripping off the wheelhouse roof and upper parts as it was probably too rotten to survive the road journey from Gosport to Hoo Marina.
The wheel house roof was curved hardwood, the same as the Saloon roof, so the plan was to re-use this roof to extend the existing to also cover the cuddy cabin, thereby "raising the roof" within the cuddy cabin. The roof section was thereby slid down timbers to be strapped to the main roof. I cannot describe adequately, just how heavy this section of roof was !!!
The resulting open wheelhouse was made as watertight as possible with tarpaulins.
The wheel house roof was curved hardwood, the same as the Saloon roof, so the plan was to re-use this roof to extend the existing to also cover the cuddy cabin, thereby "raising the roof" within the cuddy cabin. The roof section was thereby slid down timbers to be strapped to the main roof. I cannot describe adequately, just how heavy this section of roof was !!!
Friday, 9 November 2012
First weeks at Fareham
By the time we received the keys, many items listed on the original advert had "disappeared", most importantly, the new four-man liferaft ! Also, the VHF, Sim card for the GPS, flares, TV and fish finder.
However, some items remained, including Mr Smith's clothes, all in very good condition and neatly packaged "ShipShape" fashion in vac bags. These included his pyjamas and new items purchased by him in Scotland. These were given to a charity shop !
Luckily, we found a large quantity of receipts from 2008, including engine parts, the propeller and invoices from his two month stay at Inverkip Marina on the Firth of Clyde.
Unluckily, in the microwave, were some Mr Kipling Lemon Drizzle cakes, also from 2008 !! I know that food can be eaten long after it's sell-by date, but even I know when to draw the line !
As it would take a while to source hard standing at a yard on the Medway, we spent several weekends at Fareham, stripping out whatever we could. Our plans involved gutting the interior, extending the saloon roof from 8 feet wide to 12 feet, removing the wheelhouse roof and adding this on to the front of the saloon to give 6' 3" internal height overall throughout.
Although the 18mm grp hull was rock solid, the wheelhouse and main cabin sides were rotten and would need complete replacement. I believe that boat brokers must do the same training as estate agents, as the advert claim of needing a little "TLC" was downright lies.
As our plans required complete removal, this was not a problem for us. the existing roof timbers to the saloon and wheelhouse were made of curved section hardwood and mostly sound, so these would be retained, extended and covered with new 12mm ply.
Pics of initial strip out
 |
| Looking aft from cuddy cabin, wheel house up steps |
 |
| Looking forward, mast stored inside, Open-plan Loo !! |
For Sale Advert
Power Cruiser Ex Ships Lifeboat SS Canberra Life Boat Conversion Year Built 1961 Boat Name Midnight Oil Length 11.58m / 38ft Beam 3.88m / 12.75ft
Displacement 12 ton Draft 950mm Air Draft 2.6 approx
Engine Cummins (2005) Engine model 6B series
Engine power HP 130
EngineHours 200
Description An opportunity to own a part of Britain's great merchant navy history. Midnight Oil is a converted lifeboat from the famous P&O 'white whale' SS Canberra. Midnight Oil has a recently refurbished Cummins 6b engine with walk in engine compartment, GPS, Sonar, VHF, CD/Radio, Flatscreen TV, 7 Berths in three cabins, Generator, Heating. After some TLC an ideal liveaboard.
SafetyEquipment
1x New four person liferaft 3x Fire extinguishers 1x Fire Blanket 2x Horseshoe lifebouys 1x Danbouy
3x Flares 2x Lifejacket
GeneralEquipment
1x Garmin 230 GPS/Plotter 1x Garmin 340 colour sonar 1x Fishfinder 1x Radar 1x Simrad 64rt VHF
Cummins 6b series in board diesel 2005 Borg Warner 2-1 reduction gearbox 5 blade prop from lancing marine
Separate fuel filtering system 3x Batteries Battery Charger 240v shore power system Inverter
Diesel stove heater Wheel Steering Shaft drive Hull construction Fiberglass/GRP
Location Gosport Marina, United Kingdom Country GB
Cabin Types 5 Berths in three cabins. V berth under foredeck. Two berths in saloon which also incorporates a galley midships. Pilot berth in wheelhouse above walk in engine compartment and aft deck Generator CD/Radio1 Cooker Fridge Toilet
Displacement 12 ton Draft 950mm Air Draft 2.6 approx
Engine Cummins (2005) Engine model 6B series
Engine power HP 130
EngineHours 200
Description An opportunity to own a part of Britain's great merchant navy history. Midnight Oil is a converted lifeboat from the famous P&O 'white whale' SS Canberra. Midnight Oil has a recently refurbished Cummins 6b engine with walk in engine compartment, GPS, Sonar, VHF, CD/Radio, Flatscreen TV, 7 Berths in three cabins, Generator, Heating. After some TLC an ideal liveaboard.
SafetyEquipment
1x New four person liferaft 3x Fire extinguishers 1x Fire Blanket 2x Horseshoe lifebouys 1x Danbouy
3x Flares 2x Lifejacket
GeneralEquipment
1x Garmin 230 GPS/Plotter 1x Garmin 340 colour sonar 1x Fishfinder 1x Radar 1x Simrad 64rt VHF
Cummins 6b series in board diesel 2005 Borg Warner 2-1 reduction gearbox 5 blade prop from lancing marine
Separate fuel filtering system 3x Batteries Battery Charger 240v shore power system Inverter
Diesel stove heater Wheel Steering Shaft drive Hull construction Fiberglass/GRP
Location Gosport Marina, United Kingdom Country GB
Cabin Types 5 Berths in three cabins. V berth under foredeck. Two berths in saloon which also incorporates a galley midships. Pilot berth in wheelhouse above walk in engine compartment and aft deck Generator CD/Radio1 Cooker Fridge Toilet
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