Author: frederic - page 175

Watergeus – Deck

12th August 2009 – I made up my mind and decided to paint my deck instead of oiling it. Still, I’ll try to remove as much paint as possible. Since some rust was making pitting, I had no other option then to start painting it. Around a square meter was cleaned and painted. If I do a few meters every few days, my deck might be finished before the end of the year.

Towing a speedboat

7th August 2009 – In the afternoon I intended to explain and learn how to sail a speed boat to a friend who bought such a boat. When we drove the car and trailer into the water, it started to go wrong. The boat was stuck on the trailer. The wheels underneath the boat were stuck by the rust; After a few attempts, the ship was floating. We started the engine and she ran, for about 10 minutes.

We were stuck in the middle of a canal with only two little paddles and some small ends of rope. I made a large rope out if it and we started pulling the boat, each of us did some distance. We fitted underneath most bridges till we were stuck near a low bridge. No radio and no mobile phone aboard, we certainly were in need of help…. A yacht was coming behind us, so I Pushed our boat in front of it, into the middle of the canal. I asked for a tow and they towed us to my barge. They will stay for a few days and the small boat with broken outboard is now also near me. This makes a total of 5 boats on one mooring…

Watergeus – New lifeboat

6th August 2009 – At seven o’clock we started moving the boat by land from one ship to mine. I started myself, but it was way to heavy. Even with three people it was hard, so the other neighbours came out as well to help. Six people were needed in total to help!

Speed boat

3rd August 2009 – This evening we went looking for a speed boat. A friend of mine wanted a small ship and asked me to have a look. We had a great evening, returned with a boat and we shall try it out on Sunday.

Boat visiting

2nd August 2009 – A friend wanted to have a look at a ship in Ghent in the afternoon. I went to give my opinion. We ended up with some other friends for a chat. A relaxing day.

Kolenkaai Feesten 2009

1st August 2009 – In the morning I helped setting up all the tables and the stage for the evening. At noon time my neighbour helped me with putting the official registration numbers on my ship. Looks much better now.

A couple of Dutch people living in our street came to sell their handmade stuff on the deck of the Watergeus.

In the evening there was a BBQ and a band came to give a small performance.

Watergeus – Corridor and doors

30th July 2009 – While my mother helped me painting the doors, I worked on the corridor. After dismounting a switch for the light, I noticed I had a loose cable. A second later I noticed there was 220 on the cable. Fortunately the fuse switched off so I only had to feel it shortly.

Watergeus – Box on the starboard side

27th July 2009 – I built half of the box in the living room. This will hide the water pipe and central heating pipes as well as a few smaller electricity cables.

 

I believe one of the reasons why I like a ship is the work that has to be done in the hold. Sun was coming in through the portholes, some music was playing and I could easily make a construction without being interrupted by others. When working like that you can make a lot of progress.

I want the box to be ready for this Saturday. There is an event on the quay and people have an exposition in my hold. I’m afraid somebody might step on the water pipe so I’m already covering it.

Watergeus – Inspection hatches

26th July 2009 – I used to call them hatches, but they are noting more then holes in three layers of floor construction. Now I realise I should have built them earlier. Three holes in the same amount of hours. Talking of slow progress…

Watergeus – Painting the boxes around the windows

23rd July 2009 – On Saturday we will make the list around the windows. They are hardwood and will be vanished. The inside box of the windows is multiplex wood and had to be painted. All the boxes were painted and I continued cleaning the hold as well. We are making good progress again and it might still work to be living in the hold before the winter arrives.