10th August 2020 – The new owner asked me to help picking up another engine for the Hornblower. Not really worth mentioning, but once the ship is moving again with her new engine, I might remember this post.
9th August 2020 – A few small jobs were done. I cleaned the bilges on starboard, cleared that side of the yacht and started building a frame for the insulation and t&g. Slowly getting there, but it is really to warm to work.
8th August 2020 – Another warm day, another bit of slow progress. Build the cupboard on starboard side. Did a bit of work in the morning and the rest in the late evening.
7th August 2020 – Today I noticed a beautiful ship passing by in Bruges. It was the tjalk ‘De Vrouwe Linda’, built in 1910. It was in commercial service until 1964 and then became a houseboat.
7th August 2020 – BBQ in Oudenburg
6th August 2020 – To warm to work, but doing nothing was not really an option. I filled the fuel tank in case I have the need to make a journey and I continued with some t&g for the sides of the living room. I hope to do more tomorrow morning when it is a bit colder….
5th August 2020 – One of the last remaining issues for looking traditional are the aluminium hatches. They look to modern, even if it is an old ship. The cover was mounted today and I’m happy with the result. By the time we finished temperature was to hot to do anything. So it the was right timing!
4th August 2020 – The hatches were to sharp for a cover, so I had to put some soft material around them. It took us four hours to create something softly, but solid so It would last one evening until the cover holds it together.
3rd August 2020 – The doors for the bathroom are mounted. I used temporary hinges since the bronze ones are to expensive at the moment. It is going to work but I will need some more time to finish it properly. These small pieces of progress make me happy.
2nd August 2020 – The day started badly with heavy rain, but it stayed dry aboard the Stern. That gave me a good feeling. I painted the upper structure, knowing the paint might get damaged by the welding of the wheelhouse in the future. At least the ship is starting to look good. Black hull, black deck, sides in brown and a green roof.
In the evening, I started building a cupboard on starboard side.
1st August 2020 – A person I once met through facebook called me about his spits barge that might go to the scrapyard. We went to Evergem and had a look. It is nice old spits barge with some history. It has a beautiful accommodation. I sincerely hope there will be future for the ship.
Once the visiting was over, the owner invited us to his place for a drink and a chat. Boats bring people together.
31st July 2020 – What is nicer than being on deck, having a drink, meeting up with some nice friends and having a BBQ?
Moored in a marina, looking at old Dutch barges and having another drink? It was a great evening!
31st July 2020 – The hottest day of the year, it was predicted and it came through. I finished the silicone early in the morning and painted the deck while there was some shadow in the afternoon. This was about the only things I did today.
28th July 2020 – The last missing bit of paperwork for now is arranged. I needed a waterwegenvignet. My intention is now to cruise a bit around since I have no metal for the wheelhouse. It is constructor’s holiday so no shops are open…
I experimented with the join of the rubber strip and the deck. I sealed it with proper kit above. I will fill it with cheap kit underneath to fill up most of the gaps before giving a final layer with proper kit.
I will start working on the outside tomorrow so I pumped out the little workboat.
26th July 2020 – Mainly worked in the living room, building a cupboard around the heather and cleaning the other side. The next area to work on is the toilet. I have some ideas and started doing a little research.
