Month: April 2008

Working on the engine aboard the Upendo

21st April 2008 – We started the engine of my neighbour. Even it is a modern engine, it is a beauty, turn the key and it starts. It runs and can continue to run forever (or as long as we have fuel). That’s he difference of buying an out-of-commercial ship or something like me. Mine was cheaper but on the long run it will be as expensive. But my engine still runs as well and that is the main point. I must say, I prefer a clean engine room above one with oil and lot s of broken tools…

This made me think I urgently need to clean the engine room one day…

Going to Sluiskil

20th April 2008 – Lovely weather today. Since I had been working quiet hard for the last couple of weeks, it was time to have a break and visit my friends in Sluiskil and Terneuzen. Before leaving, I decided to take another picture of my crane, now with sunshine.

While in Terneuzen, I went looking at the Arma that was dry-docked for inspection. She really is a nice looking vessel.

Watergeus – Wood work

19th April 2008 – Wood working today! We continued the side of land so the frame structure is now finished and ready for insulation in the coming week.

Furthermore we build a wall that closes of the technical room in the front from the hold. In the technical hold are the water tanks, fuel tank, water pumps, spare wood, etc…

By the end of the evening,t he whole wall was built.

Watergeus – Mounting the davit

18th April 2008 – Painted around the windows on the inside. When a wooden frame is around the windows, it is no longer possible to paint the metal behind it. Metal will always be visible around the portholes, so I decided to paint it know while it was still easy to handle.

In the late evening two friends came. One of them is a good welder, so he could help me sorting out the crane and place it on the back. After two hours of hard work, the crane is in position and working. It is solid, but no enough for a lifeboat yet. I’ll try finishing the welding tomorrow.

Watergeus – Threatening the wood

16th April 2008 – I have mainly been thinking on how to create inspection hatches for the hold and to find a solution for the portholes.

In the evening I protected the wood against rotting and wood worms, a job that took me much longer then I expected. I had to do it know since Saturday we will put the insulation and the wood against it.

Watergeus – Broken porthole

14th April 2008 – While bolting a porthole the cast iron around broke in several parts. I repaired it with filler, but I need to find another option for the future. Also another porthole was leaking. I couldn’t find where so I put some mastic around the whole porthole. Let’s hope it is solved.

The remaining side of the hold was put in line oil.

Watergeus – A finished floor!

13th April 2008 – I can now honestly say the floor is finished. A third layer has been put, so I believe it will be solid enough for he next couple of years. After a first layer of wood and multiplex, a second layer with wood and insulation, the last layer is again multiplex. On top of the multiplex, I’ll add a decent floor in the future.

Furthermore the original shipping floor in Azobe wood that is saved was put back in the hold.