work progress 6

Hi Everyone,
So here are the next pile of photos, I had such a good connection they were posted full res.
As the work continued during the cabin repairs these are the pics of what was going on at the same time.

first seam caulked on deck

The tiller and tiller head were also going through the sanding and coats of varnish, 2 views of that.

The mast had also been moved and work began on that, painting and making sure there was no damage to the furniture.

Both deck flood and steaming lamp were gone and replaced them, what annoyed me most was someone stole the VHF arial and mounting bracket so had to buy a new one, also the all round white light had been smashed off the mast top, a new one of those as well has been fitted.

And the mast has to go through the deck,and as that has leaked for 20 years I've had the boat, had to do a repair and mod to the seal

New seal to fit after mast goes in

All varnished and any holes filled, plate hides all the old holes and damage that has been repaired.

seam three

As I was doing seam 3 on deck I thought I would repair the outer jib sheet lead as well and to my horror the wood had disappeared and no longer there, just a hole, So has to repair that which was a 3 day delay to everything else that was going on.

hole

the beam underneath had been worn away too, so repair included that as well

old bits and new bit ready for a fitting

while this was happening I was repairing the aft hatch and sanding and varnishing that which became finished.

The next pics are of the repair to deck.

And next pics are of the rest of the deck being caulked once that repair was finished. You know its making me tied just looking at these pics and remembering the work.

But that is now done as well. During which the nav light boxes were getting a bit of TLC with a nice varnish.

And the boom was started, this time finally I am changing the colour to one that does'nt come off on everything.

The mast you will note is getting a quick varnish as well!!

So with that amazing Mega Post you all will be up to date with last weeks work, and yes! there is already a pile more gone on since then.
So back on track after the deck repair and I'll post again soon.
Time is marching on and I will need the stove soon it looks a bit sad and neglected doesn't it

Roy

5 th post

Hi Everyone,
OK have internet again and this is the best yet, Told you about the coach roof here are the pics

pic 1 finished coachroof

Pic 2 finish views

pic 5 finish views

First seam on deck repairs

2nd seam on deck

Work continues and more pics have already been taken and as I now have an internet source close to the boat comms could get much better
Roy

Work progress 4

Hi Everyone here is latest news
 First pic is of bunk bottom boards, they were so bad I have had to do them as well before I ordered the cushions to be fixed, as well as doing all the other jobs

Second pic is of them all varnished and screwed back down in fore cabin. Note the cushions have also been done with new backing material and good quality foam, so all bunks are now available as beds at long long last.
Pic 3 is the first undercoat applied to cabin top Pic 4 is after sanding and filling second coat going on.

Pic 3

Pic4

Pic 5

Pic 5 is after another 2 coats have been applied with filling and sanding in between, ready for first top coat.
Pic 6 is first top coat

Pic 6

After another 2 topcoats were applied with sanding in between the 3rd topcoat was put on, this time using the last tin of paint I have of the right colour. Of course this means I will not be able to touch up the hull this time, as I only get 2 coats from one tin on the cabin top. The last coat will be put on when all the fittings have been replaced. Pic 7 & 8

Pic 7

Pic 8

I have also been sanding and varnishing all the bits around the boat, Pic 9 is the companionway hatch

Pic 9

Pic 10 is the fore deck mess, note the 2 vents that were ripped off the cabin when I went on the reef, they have to be replaced now

Pic 10

 And as I am doing the deck next, Pic 11 is the mast step hole which has to be repaired before I can start re caulking.

Pic 11

So when the vents handrails and coamings have been completed I will post the next set of Pics.
Roy
 

Working on cabin roof

Hi Everyone,
Work started on the cabin coachroof on Monday 3rd  Feb, and as at 10th repairs have been finished. It remains now to fill and paint and also replace the coaming strips around the edge.

Before I came home last June I had a go at removing these coamings with disastrous results, I could not remove the screws, I ended up having to destroy one length, so I Posted a pile of teak to myself, to be able to make new one's, expecting to do that to all of them, amazingly although very hard to do, the remaining ones all survived my frenzied attack intact and are also now being varnished. 

At the same time as doing this I have been sanding and varnishing the Bow Sprit and Spreaders (which needed a reinforcing rivet fitting) and for the first time I have a local man to give me a helping hand, I removed all the wooden blocks from Halyards and Sheets, and after a close inspection for any damage, he, Aaron, is sanding and varnishing them and anything else I can think of while he is here. I have also started the deck repairs which begin with the Mast Step.

The outside of the boat on deck is a bit depressing, it is so dirty from being outside so long with no covers, I am ignoring this because of the work required and that will be done later.
The cooker had to go on hold for a bit, but will be started very soon as other jobs are finished. All rigging has been inspected in minute detail for any sign of damage or distortion after the pounding on the reef, and I am very glad to say none has been found, it all required cleaning up so that has also been done. 

I did try to post some pictures, and even reducing the size down to minimum,

 not one would upload on my blog, they will be posted later when I get a better connection. And now today i was successful loading the pics of repair to cabin roof.
More coming
Roy

2- Getting to grips with work load

Hi everyone,
Well I am back on board GL, a bit of a disappointing sight awaited me. She had only just been put back into the Shed at Rodney Bay shipyard, she had been taken out and left outside to fend for herself against the sun wind and this seasons unusual amount of rain, for over 4-1/2 months. The portholes had not been shut and generally GL wasn't prepared for being outside before I left in June last year.
I've been cleaning and washing everything inside and out and have found a lot of water related damage, it took over 3 hours to drain the rainwater from the bilges, as there was so much, of course the p/ps had not been left switched on.
So this has delayed beginning the required repairs to deck and cabin top. They will start in earnest on Monday 3rd Feb.
hopefully I will be posting regularly again from now on with good news.
Roy

2014 1st Post of the new year

Hi to everyone!
Well Hello Again, at long last.
I have been away from my boat now since June 2013 and have missed her terribly. I have had to completely change my circumstances to try and continue my adventures aboard Guiding Light, it took a fair bit longer than I had calculated for. 
This will be the last time I will be able to do this, so I hope that the future holds no more unexpected close encounters with my boat and that hard stuff called LAND!
I should be joining GL on Sunday afternoon 19th Jan. And I hope to finish off the final repairs to the cabin roof and to re-caulk the deck before the April Classic Regatta in Antigua this year.
I Hope that everyone had a Merry Xmas, and that you all have a healthy and productive year ahead, by best wishes to you all

Roy

 
  

Update from home

Hi Everyone
Just thought I would share, with those of you who have only heard of where I live, some Pic's.
Also a couple of pic's of the model boat I built of Guiding Light some years ago.

This pic is looking over the Menai Straights towards the Snowdonia Mountain Range in North Wales. This from the sea wall below my house.

This pic is our beach, my house is one of those facing, close up next pic

This pic shows the house, ID block of 4 facing, numbered from right to left 1, 2, 3, 4corner
mine is No. 2

General view of the moorings at half tide, looking towards our boatyard on Gallows Point. If you look into the far distance you can see the suspension bridge.

This pic is a close up of Menai Bridge, built by Thomas Telford, and connects us to the Mainland

Pic of Model GL

Detail Pic

fwd view

Another view, this one with our pier in the background

I am still organizing things here, going to the East Coast tomorrow, in prep for the wedding on Saturday.
Roy