The snow, visitors and business pressures have not been able to slow down the momentum that's building up now that all the decision making is behind and we're starting to really get stuck into the restoration and installation of new equipment. With a burst of activity from the chippie and others from HYC, who are now fully engaged, things are starting to happen.
James, the carpenter, made up a pattern then cut out the new panel that covers the old, tatty woodwork where the antique vhf and switch panel used to be. It fits perfectly so with the instruments loose fitted has started to give an impression of what the Navigation area will start to look like when finished. There's just enough room for everything except the Navtext which will be have to fit on the access panel for what was once the bookshelf and will now accommodate fuse boards and bits of electronics. In addition to the VHF, Plotter & circuit breaker panel there is the Tank Tender to check fluid levels, a panel for lighting and the remote controller for the power supply. After a couple of coats of varnish it will be ready to be wired up
Paul, who's a shipwright, has got started on the galley by ripping out the top and interior dividers revealing how much space there was hidden away underneath, much of it inaccessible. A rather extensive area of bulkhead bonding that had delaminated has now been re-built and the ply top is almost ready to be fitted. Once this is done the cold box can be constructed by the GRP expert, Arron, and the sink fitted with both the mixer and drinking water tap. We're hoping that the Seagull IV filter that will be hidden underneath will make the water palatable despite the inevitable osmosis in the tank. It will be finished off with a Corian top and new fiddles. With the top off it's clear that there's plenty of space behind the cooker for the little Waeco compressor unit, looks like we'll be able to arrange plenty of air flow for it too which is a relief.
I've managed to finish off the ducting for the wiring from the nav area to the forepeak and back to the base of the mast; it may seem simple but it too ages to make up and fit packing pieces to support the ducting. It's quite large as there are rather a lot of cables to accommodate including two large DC wires to the forward batteries, co-ax for the VHF, NMEA 2000 cable, 5 core cable for the mast and reading light power. The new Contest 130 compasses are now fitted making the cockpit look much smarter and updated but still in a manner consistent with the original feel of the yacht.
There's been a lot of activity in the Yard as everyone realises that there's not much time left before Easter and lots to do, getting a parking space is proving difficult. There was a bit of excitement earlier when a wooden Ketch, that sank near Emsworth on it's mooring, was towed in and then lifted onto the hard. It looked really forlorn, mud streaked, with seaweed and a mooring buoy in the rigging; certainly sad for the owner.
Despite the appalling weather and excesses of the holiday period we've managed to get a surprising amount of work done and plans are now well advanced for a very active couple of months that should get the Contessa something closer to shipshape than the stripped out hull that she has been until now.
The really boring stuff seems to be behind us now that the preparation is done and all the lockers are painted out. It's much more interesting and satisfying to be putting stuff into the hull than forever taking it out. The pile of equipment left by Father Christmas has now shrunk as parts are progressively fitted and the shell becomes more like a working yacht.
The shore power installation is now virtually complete with most of the kit fitting neatly into what was the pilot berth and is fast becoming a storage locker for big stuff like the inflatable tender. The consumer unit is accessible (but out of the way) when the RCD blows, and switches for the power supply and water heater are easy to reach. The power supply (complicated thing!) is at the far end which would be difficult to monitor if there wasn't a remote controller that's going to be located in the navigation area. There's sockets in the galley for the kettle and plenty underneath the berths for heaters and the inevitable hair dryer.
The engine compartment is looking much healthier in Danboline grey rather than soot black and ready to do the job with the fuel and water filters now in place. The shiny insulation should finish it all off but that's not going in until the engine is in place once more to keep it in pristine shape.
It's been rather pleasant working inside the Shed whilst the weather has been so relentlessly wet even if a bit antisocial. The yard has been relatively quite, I can only guess that it's only owners that would work over the holiday period and who would want to do that outside in these contains! There was a bit of company for a few days when Dale and Alan (The engineers) worked on the Hayling Ferry between Christmas and New Year; apparently it's the only time its not in commission.
