Oh let the summer begin - with pics

[scubaman]

Hi,

I spent the last weekend preparing the boat for the summer. Lots of little and big things to do meant long hours working with some sleep on board in between, but all in all I got a lot done and some relief to my withdrawal symptoms at the same time Also got a good change to test my new audio equipment, which I'll report on later...

I had already done most of the polishing/waxing earlier but there were still some areas left that needed attention. I also applied fresh black antifoul to the visible parts on the sides, stern and bow to make them look nice. Fouling is not a big problem here so the rest of the bottom sufficed with only some patching up. Some weathered decals also needed replacing, which I did along with various other minor jobs here and there.

Anyway, pics. The shed is very suitable for storing boats. It's dry, although could be a bit warmer in the midst of the winter (now only few centigrades above zero when it was -25 C outside).

The decals.

Finished waxing. Some finishing work has to be done in a few hard to reach areas.

I'd spent a few trips earlier doing some minor fixes and not having been as organized as I could have meant that there was some cleaning up to do.

Nearly there.

I've also ordered some new adjustable Quick led-lights to go on the ceiling as reading lights, hence the missing panels. I'm wiring the lights so that they are switched on separately from the 'main' lights so there won't be a need to have both the leds and the halogens on at the same time. See how it goes.

They used to make veneer in the building and the last remaining pieces of machinery were removed only this winter leaving the adjacent shed looking like this.

Very telling of our times, I think.

While the main shed is good for boats, the facilities for the crew are a bit 'trainspotting'.

It was nice outside, but it'll be a good week or so before the boats can be re-launched...

I also cleaned the interior thoroughly, so once the boat is launched she'll be ready for some eagerly awaited boating...

Can't wait

Thanks!

 

[Robg71]

I see what you mean... Ref trainspotting..... That bog leaves a little to be desired.... Think i would sooner go outside for a shovel recce....

 

[matm]

Wow. Trainspotting indeed. I'd definitely use the facilities on the boat, even if it was in the shed! Some great pics, thanks.

 

[AndieMac]

Thanks for the photo's SM, always very interested to see how your people conduct their boating activities given the climatic extremes of your region, specifically the lower end of the scale!

To my untrained eye, looking at your last photo with (thick?) ice on the water, reading your comment saying it will be a week or so until the boat is re-launched, is admirably optimistic

Hope you make the most of the upcoming season and look forward to the photographic cruise reports.

Cheers

PS: Regarding the old veneer factory and your comment....."very telling of our times"

A local leading Oz economist recently held up the Finnish economy (Tasmania also has/had a strong forestry industry) as something to aspire/model to, apparently lots of similarities etc, except we aren't doing it correctly.
Have things changed in Finland?

 

[scubaman]

The toilet wasn't actually THAT bad, only slight coloration probably due to someone dumping (pun?) paint or something in there. Had someone taken the trash out it would've looked better

AM: There is no drastic change in the economy as such, but there are structural changes afoot. In forestry smaller units get closed and production moved to bigger ones. Smaller cities suffer while a few bigger ones grow. In manufacturing, metal workshops have also seen this as a lot of work has gone into China, etc. and most of it is not coming back (leaving empty sheds such as this). So we are facing the same challenges as the rest of the western world, with the slight advantage of having a bit less debt. The good thing is that the politicians appear to be on the ball and are working on ways to make the economy more flexible.

Re the ice: You are right, it was quite thick, but my optimism is aided by the ice breaker that made several passes the previous day . This coupled with the slight current in the area hopefully means that it will not take too long for the ice to melt.

 

[BartW]

thanks for sharing K,
your foto's alway's have some artistic flair, I gues it has to do with the different angle of the light / position of the sun ?
in combination with your skills !?

re the shed, wasn't it your boat that was in a shed / dry dock some years back ?
we discussed how the boats could be positioned on the frames when the water goes out....

sorry I forgot to send you the prices on the quick lights,
did you get some easyly,
if necessary I have a few in stock (Kay and Yoko) and buy sometimes new for our business

re. the mess when works are going on,
I believe we all have that, but not all of us publish the pics

 

[scubaman]

thanks for sharing K,
your foto's alway's have some artistic flair, I gues it has to do with the different angle of the light / position of the sun ?
in combination with your skills !?

re the shed, wasn't it your boat that was in a shed / dry dock some years back ?
we discussed how the boats could be positioned on the frames when the water goes out....

sorry I forgot to send you the prices on the quick lights,
did you get some easyly,
if necessary I have a few in stock (Kay and Yoko) and buy sometimes new for our business

re. the mess when works are going on,
I believe we all have that, but not all of us publish the pics

You have a good memory . That was an another shed close by. They still take boats but as there is a workshop on the other end, the boats have to be veiled to stop the oily dust -something from messing the boats.

No probs regarding the lights, I ordered a few adjustable Nikitas and two smaller Teds (IIRC). Nikitas were around €108,- a piece. Thanks, I'll see how these work out and then decide what to do with the rest.

 

[scubaman]

A brief update on the subject.

Ice has finally melted and everything is set for re-launching the boat, except...

The council has cut off the road leading to the slipway.

There is a shed full of boats wishing to get out...

I found this out on Saturday whilst doing final preparations. To cut long story short, I phoned the person who is responsible for the use of land in the city on Monday morning and apparently it had some effect as there was a digger on the site in the afternoon making a bypass...

We have a 'bank holiday weekend' coming up and we are heading to the boat tomorrow, be it afloat of not...

Fingers crossed.

 

[AndieMac]

Hope the council sort out the road access issue ASAP SM, how frustrating!

We need you back in the water and taking photos