SmileyGiley
Well-Known Member
A few people may have noted the ups & down we experienced earlier this year.
SAD STORY...
January - 'new' boat Green Gini purchased in Cardiff. Shipped to Conwy (top work Jim Ricketts HIAB haulage). In the yard for TLC to undertake some remedial work but adjacent boat burned down, taking a hefty portion of Green Gini with it. Top work from GJW who paid up in good order. TLC were most abashed it had happened in their yard (though certainly not their fault) & I'll be calling Barry up to have some work done on the new tub later this year if he can fit me in.
LOTS OF HELPFUL FOLKS.....
A little later another Countess 33 BK ketch (this one a deckhouse version) came up for sale. Long and short of it is that we bought her & shipped her up to Conwy, this time to be launched rather more quickly. Top work by Ross at C-Wey haulage in Essex - sorry about the approach being a bit tight.
Jim Ricketts was once again very helpful, putting me in touch with Buckley's crane hire in Glan Conwy who were accommodating and knowledgeable. Massive thanks to the fine staff of the Conwy harbourmaster's office, who were helpful with advice, loans of electrical & hose adapters and made a big difference to the whole launching experience. Sounds a bit like a love in, but honest - I'm not being paid for any of this, people really were extremely helpful. So a big thanks, extended also to friends and family who helped out.
DOWNS.....
So how has it gone. Hmmm, there are a few issues with the boat itself, but I never expected her to be tip top. She's been, not neglected as such, but very underused for years, and the usual small items have mounted up. Biggest issue is that I suspect the engine has a leaky head gasket. Still, this is a T90(?) marinized BMC 1.5 & I understand parts are reasonably cheap. The engine works OK, but I have to top up the cooling water to the tune of about 2 litres each time it's used. She tools along at a steady 80degrees so long as I keep the water filled. There is a leak on the seawater pump shaft. There is a leak in the hydraulic steering (traced but not yet fixed). Some of the running rigging is mouldy/oldy/yicky, but then again the standing rigging is all new. Had trouble with the batteries - had to replace one so far. Plenty of other problems to address eg aft head to be replaced methinks, leaky hatch, leaky hinge on anchor locker (big blobs of sealant for now). What do you expect tho?
Had to replace all the cockpit drains d/t rather overzealous survey comment. Concern was that the drains run through the engine compartment but are only domestic waste pipe. I agree that it's good to have seacocks on the skin fittings, and to replace the plastic skin fittings, but as the rest of the cockpit drains are above water level, was complete replacement with exhaust hose really necessary. Certainly 'others' seem to think it was all a bit OTT. Local (to Crumpsall) hose supplier kindly let me buy direct from them less than half chandler's quoted price.
Still, I now have top quality exhaust hose on my drains, with 316 stainless hose fittings for the Ts and Elbows. 400quid for the lot though (I did over order on the fittings and the hose)! Over engineered, but better than underdone & sink-inducing.
BAD BILGE PUMP INSTALLATION.
I managed to wreck the domestic water pump. I pumped out the water in the bilges (from the leaky saltwater pump) with the bilge pump. Jolly good. Switched off the bilge pump. Hmmm... where is this water coming from... More water... and more... switch on the bilge pump all gone again, but not before it covered the domestic water pump. HA the bilge pump evacuates BELOW the water line, there is no anti syphon in the line! I traced the bilge hose and found a tiny screw in a tiny hole at the top of the loop ... Ahhh. Pump out.... then undo screw to break syphon. This whole installation is being remedied next time I'm down on the boat! Good thing I didn't leave the bilge pump switched on (it has a float switch). If it had pumped out automatically whilst we were away then it would have syphoned - pumped - syphoned - flattened battery - syphoned & SUNK!
...AND UPS...
Have we been anywhere yet. Oh yes! We have been up to Conwy castle, then down to the beach at the beacons. Numerous times! For those of you who know Conwy, you will realize that is a very picturesque half mile trip. BUT.... the kids absolutely love it, and Chris enjoys it too. We are slowly getting used to the boat & the living on board, but our softly softly approach means we have enjoyed every minute (hmmm well mostly). We have spent several nights aboard, and overall I count it a success when the elder sproggie (3) is cock-a-hoop when we announce we are going to the boat, the little on just grins & gurgles through the bumps and bruises she seems intent on acquiring as she explores her new territory (she's only 1) and Chris herself is the one who suggests we head to the boat in the first place. There's even room for Grandma!
...PLANS....
Maybe haul out this year and address a few issues. Nothing major - but I think we may see if Barry at TLC has some time to work his magic on a few dings and scrapes. A good topside polish will help make her gleam,
..AND POSSIBLY A NEW NAME...
Ty-Phoo. Hmmm not so sure about that one, tho it has grown on me a little. Thought of Gravine (she IS a countess) or the more geographically apt Margravine (with a nod to John Peel). The brother thinks "that's a sh** idea"...tell it like you see it Toby! He favours "Lady Erica" a nod to Grandpa Eric, who 'crossed the bar' earlier this year.
All in all not a bad start to the boat ownership with Typhoo. Still sad about Green Gini tho...
SAD STORY...
January - 'new' boat Green Gini purchased in Cardiff. Shipped to Conwy (top work Jim Ricketts HIAB haulage). In the yard for TLC to undertake some remedial work but adjacent boat burned down, taking a hefty portion of Green Gini with it. Top work from GJW who paid up in good order. TLC were most abashed it had happened in their yard (though certainly not their fault) & I'll be calling Barry up to have some work done on the new tub later this year if he can fit me in.
LOTS OF HELPFUL FOLKS.....
A little later another Countess 33 BK ketch (this one a deckhouse version) came up for sale. Long and short of it is that we bought her & shipped her up to Conwy, this time to be launched rather more quickly. Top work by Ross at C-Wey haulage in Essex - sorry about the approach being a bit tight.
Jim Ricketts was once again very helpful, putting me in touch with Buckley's crane hire in Glan Conwy who were accommodating and knowledgeable. Massive thanks to the fine staff of the Conwy harbourmaster's office, who were helpful with advice, loans of electrical & hose adapters and made a big difference to the whole launching experience. Sounds a bit like a love in, but honest - I'm not being paid for any of this, people really were extremely helpful. So a big thanks, extended also to friends and family who helped out.
DOWNS.....
So how has it gone. Hmmm, there are a few issues with the boat itself, but I never expected her to be tip top. She's been, not neglected as such, but very underused for years, and the usual small items have mounted up. Biggest issue is that I suspect the engine has a leaky head gasket. Still, this is a T90(?) marinized BMC 1.5 & I understand parts are reasonably cheap. The engine works OK, but I have to top up the cooling water to the tune of about 2 litres each time it's used. She tools along at a steady 80degrees so long as I keep the water filled. There is a leak on the seawater pump shaft. There is a leak in the hydraulic steering (traced but not yet fixed). Some of the running rigging is mouldy/oldy/yicky, but then again the standing rigging is all new. Had trouble with the batteries - had to replace one so far. Plenty of other problems to address eg aft head to be replaced methinks, leaky hatch, leaky hinge on anchor locker (big blobs of sealant for now). What do you expect tho?
Had to replace all the cockpit drains d/t rather overzealous survey comment. Concern was that the drains run through the engine compartment but are only domestic waste pipe. I agree that it's good to have seacocks on the skin fittings, and to replace the plastic skin fittings, but as the rest of the cockpit drains are above water level, was complete replacement with exhaust hose really necessary. Certainly 'others' seem to think it was all a bit OTT. Local (to Crumpsall) hose supplier kindly let me buy direct from them less than half chandler's quoted price.
Still, I now have top quality exhaust hose on my drains, with 316 stainless hose fittings for the Ts and Elbows. 400quid for the lot though (I did over order on the fittings and the hose)! Over engineered, but better than underdone & sink-inducing.
BAD BILGE PUMP INSTALLATION.
I managed to wreck the domestic water pump. I pumped out the water in the bilges (from the leaky saltwater pump) with the bilge pump. Jolly good. Switched off the bilge pump. Hmmm... where is this water coming from... More water... and more... switch on the bilge pump all gone again, but not before it covered the domestic water pump. HA the bilge pump evacuates BELOW the water line, there is no anti syphon in the line! I traced the bilge hose and found a tiny screw in a tiny hole at the top of the loop ... Ahhh. Pump out.... then undo screw to break syphon. This whole installation is being remedied next time I'm down on the boat! Good thing I didn't leave the bilge pump switched on (it has a float switch). If it had pumped out automatically whilst we were away then it would have syphoned - pumped - syphoned - flattened battery - syphoned & SUNK!
...AND UPS...
Have we been anywhere yet. Oh yes! We have been up to Conwy castle, then down to the beach at the beacons. Numerous times! For those of you who know Conwy, you will realize that is a very picturesque half mile trip. BUT.... the kids absolutely love it, and Chris enjoys it too. We are slowly getting used to the boat & the living on board, but our softly softly approach means we have enjoyed every minute (hmmm well mostly). We have spent several nights aboard, and overall I count it a success when the elder sproggie (3) is cock-a-hoop when we announce we are going to the boat, the little on just grins & gurgles through the bumps and bruises she seems intent on acquiring as she explores her new territory (she's only 1) and Chris herself is the one who suggests we head to the boat in the first place. There's even room for Grandma!
...PLANS....
Maybe haul out this year and address a few issues. Nothing major - but I think we may see if Barry at TLC has some time to work his magic on a few dings and scrapes. A good topside polish will help make her gleam,
..AND POSSIBLY A NEW NAME...
Ty-Phoo. Hmmm not so sure about that one, tho it has grown on me a little. Thought of Gravine (she IS a countess) or the more geographically apt Margravine (with a nod to John Peel). The brother thinks "that's a sh** idea"...tell it like you see it Toby! He favours "Lady Erica" a nod to Grandpa Eric, who 'crossed the bar' earlier this year.
All in all not a bad start to the boat ownership with Typhoo. Still sad about Green Gini tho...
