Moving the Arma to Bruges

16th June 2008 – Today we sailed the Arma, a Friese Maatkast from Sluiskil to Bruges where it will be converted into an office space and youth centre. It was a lovely journey that started at 5:30 in the morning in Sluiskil. At noon we had arrived in Bruges, where it took again a long time to pass through all bridges and locks.

She is a fully equipped ship, making use of a pilot instead of a traditional steering wheel. This is far more practical, but for my harder to handle since you don’t have that much feeling as with a steering wheel.

Sleeping in Sluiskil

15th June 2008 – Since I have to sail tomorrow from Sluiskil to Bruges in the very early morning, I decided to stay the night in Sluiskil. I made the time to visit my friends and to see a spits barge at they yard. It was a spits barge I had worked on a few years ago.

A small trip on the Nomade

14th June 2008 – At 8 O’clock I sailed aboard the Nomade from her mooring to the nearest lock.

In the morning I put in some more insulation in the roof. In the afternoon we cut out the holes for the air vent system of the ship. These holes will be used for air ventilation between the metal and the insulation and for the air in every room.

My mother painted the wheelhouse in yellow, like the traditional Dutch barges did.

Watergeus – A wasted day on a waste water tank

9th June 2008 – I wanted to cut a second hole in my waste water water tank, so I could easily inspect it if there was a problem. After graining for 10 minutes the machine was so hot, I had to give it a rest. It never started again… This was the end for today’s work. I could not weld since I had to cut some metal, I could not build the water tank inspection hatch, etc…

Watergeus – Ceiling day 2

8th June 2008 – Today we mainly worked on insulating the roof, around 92m2 needs to be done. It didn’t work out it’s a hard job taking a lot of time and not much difference can be seen. As far as I know it is, together with cleaning the bilges, one of the hardest jobs ever done on a ship.

Watergeus – Ceiling

7th June 2008 – Last week I didn’t work at all on my ship, so in the morning I cleaned the hold. In the afternoon I started working at the roof. It needs insulation and a framework to be built. I was disappointed that by the end of the evening, only 1.5m had been done, 3 ribs only…

Watergeus – Office Space flooring

31st May 2008 – Today we did some more work on the sides, paneling the frame with sheets of multiplex. In the afternoon, we made the floor for the office space and yes, it took us with four people a whole afternoon to get it done, around 20m2. The result is good, a nice wooden azobe floor.

A journey aboard the Marie-Galante

27th May 2008 – Today we went sailing on the Marie-Galante, my neighbour’s spits barge. She was built in the same year as the Watergeus, but had always been upgraded and even as a house boat she is keeping her standard very height. Having a modern Caterpillar engine, DAF bow thruster and hydraulic steering, she is a beauty to sail on.

On the way back I sailed with her and I really was amazed of her steering, so fluently so nice and that for a spits barge!

It was a great day with a great ship and lovely people! The perfect combination for a good house boat society.

Watergeus – River high

26th May 2008 – Friday evening I noticed water was high in the Canal, not unusual but not for longer then a day. It is now four days, so I had to make some of my ropes more loose. At the other hand it gave me he opportunity to take pictures of the ship from a different angle.

Watergeus – Insulation and anti-damp foil

24th May 2008 – Today we put the remaining insulation and started putting anti-damp foil on top of it. This will normally prevent any possible condensation from getting to the wood.

It was a busy day, we finished welding the little metal pieces on the den to hold the hatches and the roof of the back accommodation was painted light gray instead of dark green. Not only will it become less hot inside, it looks much cleaner as well.