We spent the first few days sanding,filling,sanding,spot filling then more sanding. This stage is very similar to gyprock finishing with the seams and corners all needing a skim coat of fairing compound to blend each sheet of Nydiaplast into the next. The idea being to make the construction joins disappear.After the sanding was completed the roof was carefully moved to tressles ready for spraying,unfortunately the tides stepped in and turned the roof into a "floating platform"! Unfortunately no picture, but suffice to say the roof will make a great life raft should it ever be needed. I was able to stand in the centre and gently float/guide the pergola back to the tressles from the middle of the river. This time we tied it down until the tide subsided, then we added about a milk crates' height to the tressles so we wouldn't have the same issue the following day. All that is needed now is a fine 24 hours so the roof can be spray painted .Should be this week, finga'z crossed.
My attention has now turned to the manufacture of the safety/ hand rails down each side of the cabin.This is 25mm stainless tubing that will act both as a hand rail and also a water pipe to transfer collected rainwater to the forward water tanks.The design is constantly evolving but I think we are just about there. I'm currently finishing 28 stainless plates that after shaping and drilling will be welded to the bottoms of each staunchion (upright post). These plates will then be bolted through the side walls of the yot with a second backing plate inside for Xtra strength.
The culinary scene is improving with Friday's lunch of Shepard's pie,gravy and foccacia being well received. The pie actually started out as a Thai fish curry however after making the curry I realized very few people in the yard could actually handle the intensity of my red curry,so I made a Shepard's pie instead. With the cooler weather I've planted my salad vegetables again so it won't be long B4 I've got cherry tomatoes,cucumbers, snow pea's and cos lettuce growing in the tubs. I've also put down silverbeet,coriander and button squash seeds as well.
The fishing scene is on the improve as well on both sides of the continent with Perth based fishing being helped by lots of calm hot days.While over this side the mullet have returned along with the big barra,no success yet but a few big tussles. I was spooled again 2 nights ago with 300m of 40lb braid gone!
After 2 different spray guns failed it was thyme to revert back to the old fashioned brush and roller technique.
Mixed results but the over-all effect has been to lighten and brighten what was last week a dark storage room.
This week the mirror paneling will arrive to give the illusion of massive amountz of space,with the top half of the left hand walls being mirrored.The last of the old windows will be removed this week giving yet more light into this hull as the old perspex is so deteriorated that itz nearly yellow instead of clear.
I spent a little time sourcing some carpet tiles for the lower half of the walls between the ribs that run down the inside walls. This is really the beginning of the "cosmetic" stage of construction as I begin to tackle jobs that are not essential to operating the Yot more to make life aboard enjoyable. This cabin will become my temporary
I spent all of yesterday (Saturday) itz currently 4.50 am Sunday morn here. Fitting the carpet tiles and strip lighting to the cabin with the wiring proving to be more involved than I planned. As I needed to get power from the central electrical console to the front corner of the Yot for both the Led cabin lighting and also the external navigation (wkoa) light. This involved lifting the floors in both the main saloon and also my cabin but by night fall I was able to flick a switch and the cabin lit up beautifully.
I've tried to make all the lighting hidden as I find the direct glare of the Led strip lights too intense. This seems to of had the desired effect but I have a back-up plan of perspex diffusers if I find the idea unworkable.
I've extended the cabin area by blending half the office into usable cabin space with the paint and carpeting extending down the inside wall to almost double the area.This along with the mirrors will make this a really functional room with a bright airy feel, once I make the bed with the covers and cushions Mum bought over
The biggest problem I now face having nearly finished this cabin is the effect it has on the rest of the surrounding area's with the old office and bathroom area's next on the list for a make-over.The advantage is this work is mostly done at night effectively doubling my productivity as I find myself unable to sleep at the moment, I might as well be getting jobs done on the yot.
The end result of just a few days work is a much more modern and stylish area, that should make any visitor comfortable- after a hard day's fishing.
This week has seen the phone and emails quieten again with just a few calls, I guess most of the Perth based people are busy fishing. Big Ash and myself have been playing phone "tag" with missed calls bouncing back and forward. Miss Mermaid has been in touch again and is on the mend as is Ken from Weathersfield who's now been released from Hospital.
Thatz about all for this week so I'll bid you a fond farewell and see if I can't get a few hours sleep in B4 I set about today's task of fitting the two side windows.
So itz bye 4 now from FNQ!
Ciao,
Captain Felix
