B4 any type of construction begins you must first clear the work site!
This week has bean all about Destruction, or demolition 2B more precise. I've had a mental block as 2 the final design of the new steering console. (Still do if truth B told!). This mental block had me going in circles achieving very little, So I decided the only way the job was going to progress was 2 actually "start". Plan or no plan!
I simply took the steering wheel off !, just that simple step has resulted in the interior of the main cabin being "totally gutted".
No small feat when you realise the area being removed is technically the brain of the Yot! All the wiring, steering, fridges, computer, TV, stereo and cabinetry have had 2B removed. Some temporarily otherz more permanently, with the overall goal of getting the area 4 the new Helm (steering console) back to just a floor! 1 week later that task is now complete and the design for the new area is beginning to form.(sort of !)The electrical side was the biggest issue with the Yot still needing 2 function - electrically, the fridges all need 2 work as does the entertainment and communication area's as well. After clearing this hurdle it was thyme 4 the real demolition 2 begin. Circular saws and sledgehammers were put to use and the old framework succumb to the inevitable. Where once stood cupboards,storage and steering now there's nothing !
The old floor had to come out as well, as in was supported by the cabinetry that was removed. So now to get inside the Yot you have to cross a 6 foot obstacle course without breaking your ankle. Easy somethymes not so easy at other thymez. Depending on the level of "Fellixer" consumed.
The new flooring and cabinetry has now arrived with the purchase of six sheetz of plywood. The new flooring will be 12mm thick with the console being made up of varying materials ranging from 24mm thick supportz for the new hydraulic steering right through to the actual cosole face which is only 4mm. The interesting fact thatz come to light with the destruction has bean the realisation (wkoa) that the new console area will need to be raised by nearly 30cm to allow for good vision through the windscreen. While the main walkway will actually be lowered with a grated area just inside the door to allow for water collection and improved drainage. All these factors will make for a rather "interesting" build. The frame work and support timbers will arrive early next week and the task of Construction can begin.
The addition of an extra steering station on the rear deck has also compounded the degree of difficulty of the new worx. I'm still not sure how the whole thing will work as I only have a single set of motor controls for the Yamaha outboards. This means only one of the steering locations will have the ability to control the motors. Inside or outside? I'm undecided but favouring the inside at this stage unless we can come up with a really clever way of accessing the controls from both area's.All this is happening while the work in the yard has stepped up in Tempo. Ken began his Holidays on Wednesday (He's gone prospecting), leaving Noah (crazy Canadian) and myself with the responsibility for the antifouling and general worx on the boatz on the slips. The main cradle has seen a 48ft cruiser in for a complete topside repaint. Ken managed to complete the re-paint on the day B4 he left. So Noah and myself have been busy with the removal of all the masking, tressels, tents and also repainting the deck area's (have I mentioned I hate painting). Plus a 30ft yacht on the small cradle needed antifouling and a hull polish. So itz been a very busy week indeed. Finishing a 10.15 last night.
So the weekend will B used to clean my work area and generally prepare the new floor area for the framework 2B fitted during the coming few days. I should probably draw a rough plan at some stage as well!
Friday's lunch was a well earned treat with roasted chicken thighs and salad,but not just any roasted thighs, half were seasoned with cajun/creole spices while the other half went Mediterranean with garlic, rosemary and lemon. Truly Tastee! The salads were also devoured with a mustard and bacon potato salad and a tossed green with balsamic dressing all disappearing. Along with lotz of fresh crusty bread rolls.While Friday nite ended very late (actually more like very early) as Dinner was served around 1am on Saturday. Fresh mudcrabs in a supa spicy chilli sauce. Yummo again.
Somehow I've also managed a hangover! Might of be the bourbon I had with lunch or just perhaps the 7 or 8, I had before dinner.
Itz been a busy week in the Contact department with Manda Mermaid sending several messages from the other side of the world, also a blast from the past with "The Bandit 4- Brett" dropping a surprise text during the week. Fridgy Brad and Miss Dee as well as Hanni were also in touch. Of course with The Family issue's happening on the West coast itz also been busy in that department as well. Brother Andrew has left Dampier/ Port Hedland for his new home on Groote Island via Darwin. A big road trip at a difficult thyme in his Life. Hope all goes well and I'm soon pulling up along side his Powercat fishing boat with Galleycat for a Month or 6 of truly amazing Top End fishing. We plan to use Galleycat as a support platform for major expeditions into some very remote area's of the Gulf country. Can't wait! It appears I might be leaving my run towards Sydney a little late as the winds are due to swing to the North in the next few weeks. I'm nowhere near ready as I figure I will probably need a steering wheel? Apparently it helpz!
So with a busy week behind me and an even busier week coming up I'll sign off now with
"Quote of the week!" - Smart like Tractor! Eh!
Ciao 4 now from Tropical Far North Queensland.
Captain Felix
