13th July 2012 – I found an add on the Internet for an empty hull of a Dutch speedboat in polyester. We had a look and I decided to take it. My first plans were to cut open the whole hull and use it as a work boat.
A bit later, I changed my mind. It will become my own speedboat. I just need to find a descent outboard engine.
12th July 2012 – People asked me I wanted to join them to see a spits barge. It has been extremely rare to see a spits barge in such a good condition. There was no rust, it has a beautiful air started engine, new hatches and a lovely accommodation. I forgot to take pictures from the accommodation, but have a look at the outside and you will know enough!
15th July 2012 – It is nice to see flags on boats. It gives some colour and some live to them. It can also be practical when you wake up and want to see in what direction the wind is blowing. At least I know what direction to cycle!
I’ve decorated both ships with flags. A small job, but it took me two hours! When friends go on holiday, I always ask them to bring a flag of the country they visit.
10th July 2012 – Didn’t do much today. I worked a little on the Hornblower and helped moving a friends ship in Ghent.
9th July 2012 – There is an old yacht for sale in Nieuwpoort. I had a quick look. I’m not sure but she might have been a bakdekkruiser like my previous ship Escapde or a admiral sloop. She had been converted and rebuilt over the years. One thing was sure, I didn’t like the ship! I won’t put any complete picture online, since she is still for sale…
7th July 2012 – Today I was on an old wooden trawler. I don’t like boats being scrapped, but sometimes there is no other solution. When I was there, at least three people told me ‘there was a time of going’. The trawler was once converted into an expensive sailing boat. It had been neglected for years.
I bought a few items from the ship for my own little boat. In the early days I would take anything usefully. By now, I’ve learned to take only what is necessary. I’m running out of storage space…
26th June 2012 – A couple asked me to have a look at a wooden ship and the options of restoring her. He had just bought it without realizing the condition it was in. The word salvage would be more appropriate then restoration. I wouldn’t know where to start.
While I was there, and after having a drink with them, I found some older fishing boats in wood. All of them I’ve known when I lived in Ostend as a kid. Nice to see them back!
9th June 2012 – Sill busy. I’m working on several projects at the same time, helping people around. I’m still updating the pages of the Watergeus.
Today I went to Oosterhout, helping a friend sorting out his new yacht. It’s an eighties built yacht with a classic look. Metal hull and a wooden top construction.
8th June 2012 – I’m working in Ghent converting a spits barge.
7th June 2012 – I’m back from the yard! The Watergeus is back on her mooring for the next couple of years. I’m trying to update my website as soon as I can…
20th May 2012 – I could call it a relaxing day. I scheduled a lot for today, but haven’t started yet. I’ll probably wont do much except updating my blog…
I’ve seen a friend in the morning who is working on inland cruise vessels. I took some pictures and that’s it for today…
19th May 2012 – Next week, I’m leaving with the Watergeus to the yard. It has been a while since her last dry-docking. Most of the things have been prepared the last couple of weeks. A yard visit takes a lot of preparations and money! I still need to do the fuel and then I’m ready!
Today I secured my workshops, making sure everything can’t fall down. I cleaned my deck. I often use my deck as a storage space since I don’t have enough room… The cables for the mast were lowered. I only lower the mast on the last day. A boat without mast looks so sad…
In the afternoon, I went to see a yacht for a friend at the yard. He wanted some advice and in the end he decided to buy it. It gives me a good feeling when you know when a boat fits the profile of the buyer! The seller had a nice tjalk, also for sale. I had a look at it. From the moment I saw this ship, I started making plans. Only I don’t have the time to do this project.
21st -22nd April 2012 – I left Bruges in the early Saturday morning, heading for London. Every year I visit the boats at Brentford, taking some pictures, talk to the people and give a hand if necessary. The difference with the boats over here and in London is that people really live on them. They use the boat to the maximum as possible. Some of them even had nice gardens on the roof, etc… Since the weather was good and the people were friendly it was a great time!
On Sunday I made a walk on the muddy beach, taking some more detailed pictures of the barges.
20th April 2012 – One of my friends has a houseboat in Izegem, not to far from Bruges. I bought a generator for the little boat and had a visit afterwards. I always try to follow the ships I’ve worked on in the past.
The generator is again an old Hatz engine. I always try to keep my engines in the same age, style and brand. I know Hatz is more reliable than a modern Chinese made generator. The only difference is the weight and the fact that most old engines are hand start…
18th April 2012 – I quickly went to Sluiskil to see one of the biggest houseboats at the yard. The Rio Claro is 88 meter long ship, moored in Bruges near the old mills.