Weather improving - time to get boat to repairs

[Refueler]

OK ... today was big day ... lift out Superanne and truck to repair yard.

Heading downriver to lift out point :

Waiting truck :

Lift out :

Strap down and get rolling ..

Arrive at yard ... wait while they launch a Vega ..

Then its Superanne lifted and stood on hard ready for yard to assess work ..

Seems I picked up some rubbish last time out !!

Now its all down to the yard .... new :

Ribbing strake
Sprayhood
Mainsail cover
Dodgers

and of course a pressure wash off underhull ....

SA spends most time in Freshwater and therefore only usually gets slime underneath ... which happens regardless of Antifoul ... so I don't AF her at all ...

 

[William_H]

Huge envy re not needing antifoul paint. My little boat has consistently only lasted 6 weeks from being A/F painted and relaunched to needed a wipe down in water. I an make a/f last about 5 months until next winter pull out but barnacles and weed need to be constantly leaned off. Like once per week. (I like it clean to race) So that is the diference in climate and water temperature.
Mean while wonderful photos Nigel keep it up. I envy of blue skies, very wet here at moment.(winter) (rain is always welcome though)
Good luck with all the work being done. ol'will

 

[Refueler]

Work is getting on .... Yard showed me the Oak plank they purchased specially for this job .....

They have sliced into required sections and profiled :

Superanne - old removed ready to clean up and fit new :

 

[Refueler]

Maybe someones interested to see ....

This is American Red Oak ..... its Kiln Dried but that was only type available .... but it steamed fine and is holding well.

We had big discussion about fastening it - but we have stayed with the original format of 5x50 stainless machine screws into the GRP. Being based on a 1970's Poole Harbour workboat hull ... the GRP is solid and THICK !!

I may go have a look tomorrow .....

I feel like a kiddie at Christmas !!

 

[Refueler]

Made a trip to the yard today ... see how my 'baby' is getting on ... after near 30yrs of ownership - she is part of the fabric of my life !

Really impressed with the yard and what really pleases - they care about what they are doing. So often in UK yards - I found very 'off' and not interested. The Boss is taking personal interest and said - he wants to do Superanne proud .. being a 'classic' boat.... His words !

The sprayhood has always been a bit of a pain to 'stretch' and clip in place ... plus the dip in the fabric between the two frames ... he has moved the main frame mounts on cabin side ... fabricating an over hatch bridge to better fasten down hood front edge - previously was elastic bungee across the hatch. He's mounted both ways the frame ... to find best orientation .... is going to lower the main arch couple of cms to level up the two frames.

Here's the result without 'canvas' :

Rubbing strake is very nice .... photos do not do it justice .... he was right to push me to wood ... (strakes are only temp fastened at present while wood sets up and he has all strakes in place)...

Just for those interested in what a boat looks like underneath when not antifouled here .... she hasn't had AF since about 2008 .....

Jobs estimated to finish late next week .... then its mast up ... bend on new Genny .... launch and sail back to Ventspils .... about a 7hr run.

Boy am I looking fwd to it

 

[Refueler]

Rubbing strakes on ... and caulking left to do ....

Yard is making up template for hood ...

Its been moved fwd a few cms to improve the set of the material - its why the old never sat straight and had the deep curve in the main section.

Mainsail cover looks superb ...

As I mentioned - total cost is likely to exceed boats value ... but after near 30 yrs with me ... I have a deep attachment to her. She's looked after myself and others far above expectations .. provided countless stories and enjoyment. She deserves some TLC after all she's done.

This is actually not the end of the work ... I intend once she gets back home - to complete replacing the headlining ... and also to renovate deck + cabin woodwork. Paint the decks ... fill in those nicks and chips out of the gelcoat ..... and polish the hull.

I have a Nauticat 33 offered - which I am going to look at ... its a 'project boat' guy bought in Sweden - sailed back but has decided to sell on. She's in usable condition .... as he says - needs tarting up !!
If I do go for it ... Superanne will remain as my at Home River boat and Nauticat will be in Town Harbour for seagoing.