31st March 2021 – I had some time in the morning so I gave a second coat of paint in the wheelhouse. Not done much but it gave a good feeling.
Category: MS Stern
22nd March 2021 – Now that the new ship of my neighbor has arrived, it was time to clean up the mooring and move it back alongside the Watergeus. I was surprised the see the engine starting on only 8v instead of 12v. I kept it running for a while so the battery can charge. My other neighbour helped me with the rope work.
17th March 2021 – I’m neglecting my ships lately since I’m working on to many other projects. This morning I found some time painting the wheelhouse. Most of the t&g now got a first coat of primer.
12th March 2021 – The wheelhouse is now ready for painting. I did some filler and sanding.
8th March 2021 – I finished the t&g at the back of the wheelhouse and put the chair for the captain (me) in the wheelhouse. It just about fits….
1st March 2021 – I had to do something on the Stern. Nice weather and I hadn’t been aboard for a whole week. I just removed the old panel of the back bulkhead to get access to the rudder and battery. I added some t&g and then it was dark..
19th February 2021 – Still disappointing about this morning, I went to have a look at the Hornblower where they are rebuilding her. It motivated me to start on the Stern. Aboard the Stern, I did some t&g around the cupboards in the wheelhouse and around the windows. I cut the remaining expanded foam as well.
One serious day of working and most of the wheelhouse should be finished.
16th February 2021 – I just did some t&g and foam insulation in the wheelhouse. The remaining wood that was stored in the wheelhouse is now in my van. It gives me some space to manoeuvre.
14th February 2021 – When people can start skating, it is time to worry about pipes and frost damage. I had trouble with the bathroom outlet but also with the cold water system aboard the Watergeus. I’m not sure yet if the Stern will be fine. I did put a lot of heating aboard but it is still worrying. I had a few drinks in the evening aboard the Stern. It is a small ship, so easily to heat. The canal is sill partly frozen so we shall see tomorrow.
In the meantime, the outlet issue of the Watergeus is solved, but it is still only 11°C in the living room, 3°C more then this morning!
14th February 2021 – I made a frame for the hatch for the entrance to the back part of the engine room. This will be the main access for the battery and battery switch. It was really cold and I didn’t get so far as I wanted.
29th January 2021 – I have never seen the water so high as today. I was glad to be at home so I could keep an eye on both my ships. The Stern nearly ended up on the wooden beam on the side of the canal. Watergeus is much deeper in the water. Since water was raising quickly, there was the chance that Watergeus could lift up its gangway or gets stuck underneath it. None of this happened!
16th January 2021 – They predicted snow and they were right. We had some snow today, well a lot of snow for Belgian standards. I took some pictures and inspected the Stern. Everything was fine, but I keep the heating on until tomorrow.
10th January 2021 – Another cold night. I had a look at the Stern. She was looking fine!
9th January 2021 – It was a very cold night. We noticed it last night when decks were frozen. The canal was back on its normal water level but it had frozen very hard. I wasn’t expecting it to be so cold, so I hadn’t put on the heating on the boats. I quickly put them on but there was no damage!
8th January 2021 – Water was again very low but when I arrived in Bruges, I was surprised to see the Stern hanging in its ropes and the Watergeus being grounded. I heard from two other neighbours they were also touching the bottom of the canal with their barge.
