Drying Out...

After weeks of warmth the hull is distinctly chilly, the red pads have done their job and have been switched off. It's easy to see that the hull has largely dried out by the moisture readings scribbled and crossed out all over the surface. They started off at about 20 and are now, in the main, below 5 which is where they should be before the next steps can be taken. There are just a few places where it's about 10 that are are not easy to cover with a patch and will be dried out with heat lamps over the next few weeks. As it happens there's no rush to get her finished off and out of the shed as she's fourth in line behind some bigger hulls, including a rather large lifeboat outside. Just as well as there's been a slip up and the new port lights, which are on six weeks delivery, have only just been ordered. It's all rather convenient really as it means that I'll be able to work on her in the dry over the Christmas period which will be great even if it's a bit dusty.

Now that the hot patches have gone the painting of the lockers and bilge can get going, cooking fresh Danboline  is not the best way of getting a good result. After clearing out the forepeak and stern it's apparent how much painting needs to be done, there's acres of scruffy GRP to cover! Unfortunately the original owner who did the fit out had short changed this aspect and too many areas such as the stern lockers have to be painted out for the first time. It's not all hard work and surprisingly satisfying when it's done; the insides of the lockers gleam after a fresh coat of paint making the effort well worth while. Keeping with tradition it's now consistently white for the lockers above the waterline and grey elsewhere, what a difference!

The highlight of the weekend was discovering the burger van just outside the yard which does some excellent bacon rolls for lunch which went down really well with a generous mug of tea! Just seeing a few other people makes a welcome break from solitary confinement down in the bilges.

Prior to painting I've tried to make sure that the holes in the dividers and bulkheads are all there for the cable and piping runs. The wiring is fairly easy to locate, the hot & cold water supply not too difficult either but the hot water from the boiler is a bit more of a challenge. Apparently plastic, push fit, domestic piping and fittings are the only real choice as the water temperature is 80 degrees centigrade. The only flexible piping that can stand this temperature is some special silicon stuff which is about £25 per metre, don't fancy using much at this price the way the budget is going! As space is so limited in key places, it's going to have to be a combination of the two; it's guesswork a this stage though, be interesting to see how it works out in practise.