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.
15th February 2021 – I was worried about my ships. I had to work today and then go to the dentist. I was more afraid something would be wrong with a pipe then they would find some holes in my teeth. But both were fine! Nice weather is coming so I’ll start working again tomorrow.
Those few degrees extra outside make it back a warm feeling aboard the Watergeus. I now have again 18°C instead of 8°C. So, one day of not heating takes three days to heat the whole ship!
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.
14th February 2021 – No matter how hard I tried keeping everything warm, the outlet pipe for the bathroom is frozen. I can’t use the shower or toilet at the moment. It is really cold, dry air and minus 5°C. I added another electric heather in the technical room. Let’s hope there is no permanent damage.
13th February 2021 – We went to have a look at the ship and did some painting. There is still a lot that needs to be done. It will be impossible to get the deadline. We put some parts in primer and gave others a first coat of colour. Sadly enough not everything was welded so painting these spots were no option. None of us has time next week to come, but they want to move the boat to another hall. The glass for the windows will take another 4 weeks.
11th February 2021 – I welded a few extra supports to the crane. Since I was welding from a a cable of over 120 meters, I nearly had no power to weld. In the end, it is secure but not the best weld. Once I have proper shore power, I will remake it. I had the same issues with the winch. It is stitched but not properly welded.
In the afternoon, a friend came to help giving the little boat a push so it is now hanging in the crane. My initial idea to push her off the side didn’t work and there no big boats coming that would move Tordino that much the little boat would shift by itself.
10th February 2021 – We made a small trip in the canal. Going to Nieuwpoort was not possible since the lockdoor was frozen.
10th February 2021 – In the morning we picked up a little boat for Tordino. Sadly enough the owner did not empty the boat and it was filled with water and ice. It took me over an hour to break the ice and empty it. In the afternoon I removed most of the rust and gave it a coat of primer.
9th February 2021 – I did a quick check on Tordino. After a phone call in the wheelhouse I felt asleep for an hour. It was so lovely in the sun behind glass….
The entrance was still in position. I was a bit worried when the ice would melt, that the whole construction could slide down.
9th February 2021 – A friend of mine is living abroad while his ship is in the marina. I switched on his heating system so there is no damage to the ship.
9th February 2021 – Doing nothing is not my style, even when it is cold. I made a frame for the sliding door. Welding it thoroughly is not an options since melted snow was getting into the weld.
8th February 2021 – I just checked my ships today and it wasn’t a bad idea at all to do so. Snow blew into my door of the Stern. On the Watergeus, I had forgotten to switch on the heather but on Tordino everything was fine. I’m not feeling so comfortable with these temperatures.
6th February 2021 – I finished most of the floor in the kitchen and the entrance was lifted aboard Tordino.
5th February 2021 – I drove to Franeker to pick up the new entrance for the hold of Tordino. It is a nice looking entrance, perfectly shaped and heavily build.
