Yet another week haz flown bye with the appropri8 word in the title being CHAOS!,
as discussed last week the work on the new extensions has begun with the first stainless platez bolted onto the solid base structure.
The new rudder box has also begun as the next stage, with 2 sheetz of "nema" board being fibreglassed onto the rear of the old hull.These will allow the 40mm stainless rudder posts to pass through the new extensionz with "NO LEAKS".
Unlike the last version.
Lotz of drawing is going on each nite in an effort to visualize the daily design changez. The decision to curve the rear and inside wallz of the pontoons is proving challenging . Each day we wait 4 the tide to retreat then begin the task of modifying our plans from the day B4. Each new drawing presents an issue/ problem that we hadn't thort of.
The dinghy slide system is the main sticking point at this stage, with the rails now being made of 25mm stainless tubing, with 3 equal tubes needing to be curved to allow the final hull shape 2B determined. These tubes will act as slide rails for the dinghy to be "winched / lifted aboard the new extended hullz.The strength of the new extensionz are no longer a major concern with even the basic framework exceeding both kennys' and my own expectations (wkoa)
(pregnant one's! I'm guessing)
The old stringer / ribs from the fibreglass hull will be extended with new 50mm wide stainless stringers. Pvc tubing will then be fibreglassed to the walls with the new stringers to give unbelievable strength to these new "pods".The fraze that keeps appearing in our conversationz (wkoa) is triangular bracing!
The entire base structure is designed on engineering triangles. These diagonal braces lock the otherwise flexable stainless stringers.
Every product we use will be based on the "permanent" concept. This meanz nothing that can rot, rust ,oxidize or deterior8 will be used.
(see rot issuez later in this entry)
The frameworx of the extension is temporarily fitted with clamps and supports to give us the outline of the skeleton. this gives us an accurate visual perspective and allows fore the previously mentioned problems to reveal themselves.It going 2 take lotz of work to transform this framework into a working Yot. The changes are progressing at thatz all that is important at the moment.
If I concentrate on the progress I should be able to keep the 'demons' at bay. Progress is positive and should be seen as such, instead of just focusing on the negatives.
The negatives presented themselves in a big weigh just B4 mum left with the wall of the front bedroom cabin revealing a major underlying issue.
My old enemy "WOODROT" reared itz ugly stinky head again!
What looked like a small leak through the paintwork had grown to a HUGE structural issue. The front small windows have been leaking into the cabin wall and slowly rotting a support beam.
This beam is 40mm x 40mm x 1200 long and is now totally destroyed.
I literally scraped the wood fibres into a 9 litre bucket. After removing the wall cladding past the rotted area the true extent of the damage waz revealed.
Luckily,there is an aluminium box section frame within the wall and the beam we removed does nothing more than support the wall cladding on each side (another positive).
What is apparent is, that the front windows must be repaired B4 the internals can be fixed. And the decision has been made to remove the windows all together.
The problem windows are only 100mm high and provide No forward vision. So while the damaged area inside is drying over the next few weex, I'll set about replacing the windows above with nema board and fibreglass. This will be on both front corners of the cabin area. The new "fake windows will be painted black on the exterior to look like windows but won't have the issues associated with perspex expansion and contraction that caused the issue to appear.This will make the whole area solid and watertite which will be a huge bonus, but still more work!
The social scene is now on the front of my agenda with the realization (wkoa) that I have to spend a little thyme each day looking after myself and realizing just how good life is!
This is the crux of the whole "demon" issue with positive reinforcement needing to be greater than the negative thortz.
As such I've now purchased a new TV for the rear deck area (mainly for watching the V8's) but also as an extended monitor for the computer so I can see the acheivemints of the past few years as a constant slideshow.( more positive reinforcemint)
The rear deck kitchen is about 2b removed and extended so I've made a few special meals this week B4 I'm releg8ed to internal cooking while the changes are made.
Surf and turf was last nights dinner while 2nite I'm planning a stirfry with flied lice. Friday lunch this week was a traditional corned silverside with all the trimmings. YUMMO!
A few nites have also been spent sampling Fellixxer!
Not a bad existence at all.
Brad and Miss Dee have been on the fone along with Big Ash as well. Lotz of calls West with the battle for access to Cameron now in full swing. Child support has been adjusted and an application for "grandparent access" will be lodged with the family court shortly.
No false hopes here just a slow steady march towards final full access.
The new dinghy is taking shape with the grass flooring and a crab trap holder being fitted this week. The propeller has been changed to give far better performance both on take off and at top end speed which is currently around the 18 knot area.
Still more work to go with the rod storage area being this weex goal along with of course extending the Yot, fixing the window issue, upgrading the kitchen, finishing the bathroom and also working in the yard. Should be a fairly quite week! NOT!
The decision to spend at least 5-6 months in the Whitsunday's over the Christmas New year period right through until Easter haz now been locked in, with the trip north to begin just after Easter and the end of the cyclone season. So while itz hard graft at the moment the REWARD is looming large on the horizon.(more 2 follow)
