Bluebell

December 2004 update

Over the last couple of months, much internal sanding has been done with the workers wearing goggles and some rather odd head gear. Water continued to gather under the floor boards at the stern and it was a continual job mopping the cabin bilges  through the access holes which had been cut. We had to stop more water coming in or she would never be dry enough inside to paint. We covered the temporary front door with heavy duty polyphone and also removed the last of the of wooden window frames and taped on more polythene on the outside. There were various holes in the cabin where cables etc had been led through  and these were temporarily filled with gutter sealer ( we just happened to have some left over from the hut roof repair). This made a vast difference but we still had problems as in cold weather water was condensing on the inside of the roof and sods law said that it was cold every Friday night before our Saturday work party. We discussed the problem with BW and they allowed us to run a cable form the old cottage to the boat and we put a dehumidifier in and fired it up on Fridays. This was enough to enable the bits inside which had been a little rusty to get the first coat of sealer. Meanwhile, the windows arrived, all 10 of them. It was decided, after a summit conference, that we would wait till the spring and fit them properly rather than fit them temporarily now then take them out in the spring and fit them properly. The windows then went into store out of harms way. The window frames have had a lot of preparation done but more is needed before the final fit. The temporary heavy duty polythene windows are holding up reasonably well although w did lose two one windy night. These have now been replaced. Perhaps we should take out shares in the Duck tape company. 

Meanwhile, work has progressed on the engine front. The engine fired up after much cleaning had taken place and the fuel filter had been replaced. There was no gear box or exhaust fitted for the trial start and as a result there was lots of smoke but the engine did start and run. The  gear box was refitted after spending time in the Street workshop and everything was reconnected. The next fire up of the engine showed that the exhaust leaked like a sieve! The next thing to go on was the new Morse control and not only will the engine now start, it will engage gear, and turn the propeller. Progress indeed. Master switches were then fitted through the rear bulkhead and a closer inspection of the wiring in the engine area indicated that it will be safer taking it all out and completely rewiring. The wiring was removed, and the loom will be stripped for salvage of any useable cables.

Here are some photos taken in December at our last work party before Christmas. For some reason, the workers don't want to turn out on the 25th or the 1st! On the 18th, we are taking Santa for a trip on Roseann.

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