gimme a P, gimme a B, gimme a racket

October 2010, I asked a man if he could help me sort my P bracket. he quoted and never came back to me after that.
November it snowed
December it snowed and was pretty cold
January 2011, it was cold.
February I had no motivation.
March, I got the chisels out and gave them to someone stronger than me. a pig of a job
the Pbracket was liberated from its 22 year home and went off for fettling. It was time to DIY-F-S, if the local business didnt want my business, then it was a sign that I should learn to do it instead and save myself £800

it was fettled. welded, polished and cutlass bearing replaced. (thanks Dad)


the stainless sleeve arrived too, but still has to be machined to fit the rudder stock and bearings. (thanks again Dad)


May arrived and I went off to fetch it, along with a fettled and polished prop and shaft.
Epoxy resin was fetched in from the Maldon branch of Marine store.
Its always important to line your surfaces with some sort of protection to keep them clean. What better than a newspaper article on the modern wonder that is the "side boob" and a rather tenuous story about whether it is the new "cleavage". hmmm. The Metro newspaper, it's not what it used to be.


after what felt like an age setting up the jig to hold the p bracket in place and all the tools to keep it in alignment, you can see its a complex set up... some band stands, an old passarel plank and some wedges scrounged from the floor where boats have been this winter and are now back in the water.


at the same time as hooking it all up, we had to fit the new stern gland... which I MUST remember to tighten up before putting the boat in the water. I have put a bright plastic clip around it to remind me.

and then onto the messy job of applying epoxy resin, in varying degrees of thickness, gooiness and runnyness.



we ran out of epoxy resin, so its left like that for the moment. The final shaping up and roving will hopefully be completed next weekend.

pull the rudder one

with the boat rapidly becoming swiss cheese, the time came to finally drop that rudder and replace the bearings.



easier said than done.

first a hole had to be dug and with most jobs like this, there is always a foreman, a tea boy and a grafter.
I opted for being the tea boy, my dad stood propping his hands on his hips making sure the job went to plan and Mr X did the digging, because, as a building site labourer, he said "Im used to it"
I did the blagging part, as tea boy, and went over to the local builders who are currently constructing a new toilet block and laundry facility for the marina and begged for a spade.

I did wonder if I should ask first before starting to dig up part of the marina, but decided to just get on with it, asking questions shows doubt in ones mind. Doubt, is a sign of weakness and the last thing I want to show anyone right now is any kind of weakness. When it comes to DIFY, I need to keep a clear mind as to what I want, when and how Im going to do it.
Having secured the use of a spade, I quietly retired to camera duties (as well as putting the kettle on.)

with the rudder released, next came the bearing. It was glued in with a resin type of glue, araldite or something like that. It needed cutting and hammering and a bit of persuading to come out.


The last skin fitting was ready to come out after a little bit of preparation with some high prescision tooling.


the new skin fittings are in 316 stainless


The rudder is a sorry looking thing. A bronze collar has caused galvanic corrosion of the aluminium stock. Its not looking too pretty.


further investigation reveals the extent of the corrosion.


Im not exactly sure what Im going to do next. possibly retire to my chamber to contemplate my options.

hmm.

liberated bracket

finally after more chiseling and persuading with a hammer, the p-bracket has finally been liberated.




its not looking very pretty.

then, i had a go at the engine skin fitting. its been looking dodgy since the last survey so I planned to change all of the skin fittings and ball valves.

As I tried to unscrew the ball valve from the skin fitting, the whole job lot snapped off in my hand. which made me laugh a slightly manic laugh, just the thought of it snapping so easily due to it being completely depleted of zinc, it's the stuff of my nightmares and I've jumped up in the night before now to go and check them for leaks or signs of anything wrong. To have one snap like this, well, I feel fully satisfied now that preventative maintenance is better than any other kind.

What a Pig!

Todays work is the start of the worst pig I think I've had to think about doing on the boat so far.
The P-bracket, the bit thats holds the propeller shaft, became wobbly after the long journey from Gibraltar. Although I'd guess that it had already had some rudimentary repairs along the way to keep it going and for the previous owners, or the owners before them to avoid having to do this dirty and fiddly job.

The way that the P-bracket is mounted was a bit of a mystery as it was shrouded in a large grey fibreglass/epoxy mound. This we (between my dad and I) decided to attack with chisels rather than a grinder to keep the dust down.

It's a messy job whichever way to attack it.

Several hours of chiseling revealed a large bolt running through the top side and a chink of light shining through the hollow p-bracket.
Which wasn't the best news, but I was hardly surprised.

As I was peeling back the glass fibre wrap externally I removed several areas of filler, including the area which revealed a long crack in the p-bracket weld.

So now I need to remove the shaft, remove the p-bracket, get it repaired/welded and then find someone to re-fit and re-glass it for me. Or, do-it-my-fucking-self as it would seem to be the only option these days.
Can't seem to find anyone who wants to work and those who do are too busy.

What a Pig!

Todays work is the start of the worst pig I think I've had to think about doing on the boat so far.
The P-bracket, the bit thats holds the propeller shaft, became wobbly after the long journey from Gibraltar. Although I'd guess that it had already had some rudimentary repairs along the way to keep it going and for the previous owners, or the owners before them to avoid having to do this dirty and fiddly job.

The way that the P-bracket is mounted was a bit of a mystery as it was shrouded in a large grey fibreglass/epoxy mound. This we (between my dad and I) decided to attack with chisels rather than a grinder to keep the dust down.

It's a messy job whichever way to attack it.

Several hours of chiseling revealed a large bolt running through the top side and a chink of light shining through the hollow p-bracket.
Which wasn't the best news, but I was hardly surprised.

As I was peeling back the glass fibre wrap externally I removed several areas of filler, including the area which revealed a long crack in the p-bracket weld.

So now I need to remove the shaft, remove the p-bracket, get it repaired/welded and then find someone to re-fit and re-glass it for me. Or do it my fucking self as would seem to be the only options these days.
Can't seem to find anyone who wants to work.

Welcome to bradbury

In search of some sailing action to photograph this weekend and with no signs of any white triangles around Burnham on crouch, I headed up north east towards bradbury which is on the blackwater and colne estuary. A short 7 mile drive.
The area all around burnham to bradbury is as quiet an area as any peace loving person could wish for. Smooth tarmac, barely any cars, birds singing, no noise pollution. A generally lovely place.


But then, when I pulled into the entrance to Bradwell marina I was suprised at the number or warning notices all over the place. At the entrance is a sign warning that its a working boat yard, please take care.


A little further down the drive, another sign, STOP, contact security. Which of course I didn't and discovered at the end, no where to park for free. The car park is protected by a barrier, a pound to go in! Welcome visitors, welcome and give us your money.


I parked my car on the driveway and abandoned it while I went for a look at the marina and its access from the river.
There was a nice grassy bank, beside it, a sign forbidding picnics.


As I wandered along a grassy bank, another sign giving rules for use of the slip way, banning jet skis, and a whole host of other water craft.


At the end of the grassy bank was a footpath linking across to another area with another slipway, accessed by the road. Thee gate was sporting a sign, all access forbidden. No entry.


Back up towards the control tower I wandered around for a moment, bouncing from one forbidding barrier to another. BRADWELL it seems must be some hive of criminal attention given the sheer amount of signs they have up forbidding everything but breathing. In such a sleepy place I cant imagine why they would have a pay for car park, when if we compare to the thames, there are plenty of places to park for free at the marinas along there.


I cant help but feel that bradwell marina is one of the most unwelcoming places ive visited. Sure, the people there are probably nice, but they should take a look through the eyes of a stranger at what its like to visit.

When im cleanin windas

There's only so long I can avoid making eye contact with the postit to do notes dotted around the boat.
This morning, stuck to the nutella jar, replace lewmar windows.
Damn it.


Another postit stuck to the toilet door, empty back cabin (to prepare for work)
Oh stop it.

Since my morning trip out to find some sailing action resulted in zero action and zero pictures taken except for evidence of mass over signage at bradwell marina, I had nothing to use as an excuse to avoid the inevitable.

The back cabin has been a neglected area, used for dinghy storage and vacuum packed blankets.
A large furry red cushion (what is it about women and cushions?) and a bag of odd clothes I cant make my mind up about keeping or not. Not sure what to do with a unionjack tutu and tail coat.


Back room emptied, cushions up and boards up, theres is water pooled in various areas, I can only assume from condensation. Mildew growing on the backwall had to be dealt with and then take a look at the back end of the prop shaft I need to remove.


O

Looking but not seeing

All around, everywhere I look I see there are people who are looking but not seeing. Walking around on autopilot or in denial.
I saw man today walk up to a cash machine clearly displaying an error message on its screen. But he simply tried to put his card anyway without even registering anything on the screen, only realising when the machine rejected his card. I thought of him as automaton.
Another example, I read part of a blog today of someone I dislike quite a lot. I read it because I am curious and in a self flagilation kind of way it gives me pain to read what she has to say about her view on the world because she obviously doesnt see it in the same way as others. She wrote about someone questioning her level of education. The reason was as she wrote, that the other person thought she had a chip on her shoulder. She thought is wasnt her at fault but him and proceeded to slight him by writing further criticisms of him in her blog. She cant see, despite writing the conversation down in her blog, that maybe she does have a problem that cant be solved by being signed off long term sick. She has terminal potato chips, but there's no cure for that. Not while she cant actually see it. Blindness.
But no. Blind people see more clearly. They feel it.
I rode to work through london a different route each day this week from the train station, no idea if I was taking the best roads, I just followed my nose. Always end up in the place I want to be.
I need to feel im not becoming a part of the machine, the human conveyor belt. Or if I am already part of it, I need to know that I can get off for a look around sometimes. What struck me was how interesting it is to cycle around london streets. Particularly the City. If we raise our gaze, the architecture is music to the eyes.
After almost a year of getting up, going to work, getting home and going to bed, I feel like ive been stuck in some sort of creative blackhole. Noone can feel productive in a thoughtful creative and unique way living a life of mechanical precision.
There needs to be a bit of niggly randomness chucked into the blender.
Where does this leave my own insight? Im sure I can see quite clearly what I need to do, my problem is that im averting my eyes and looking away, not wanting to face it.
Its a case of seeing but not looking. Which is almost the same thing as the post title but not quite.
If only I could focus on  one thing at a time, I might see the light.
Or I might get varekai back in the water by easter?
The plan? Im pinning to-do lists in various places all around the boat.
Find a willing fibreglass expert to reglass the p-bracket.
Order and fit new cutlass bearing
Fit new prop shaft
Fit new anode
Order and Fit new skin fittings and ball valves.
Drop rudder and fit new bearings
Clean and scrape the hull
Paint with fresh antifoul
Fit new windows
Fit new hatch glass
Make new canvas cover for winchbar
Repair main sail and jib
Wash all running rigging
Re grease and lubricate all winches and pulleys.
But im sure I will find a way to not look at each note stuck in such a way to be right under my nose. Because if I look at them, I will see that evidentaly I am rather lazy and find any excuse to be occupied with something, anything else instead. 

Mobile blogging two

Does the opportunity of blogging on the go as the thoughts form in my head of what i'd like to write about next devalue the experience? Does it make the thoughts any less sage because they are that bit younger and perhaps less well mulled over?
Not sure yet.
Having just performed a digital exorcism on my digital communicator I lost all of my digitally stored to do lists. Thankfully my non digital storage device, my trusty analogue brain and backup notepad in a bag still contain traces of such important lists of things that I must do.
As I eek out shadows of former ruminations, I realise that not many things on the lists actually got done. Mainly because they were hidden away on a digital device that needed activating in order to view said lists. Well, if one forgets the list, they are about as useful as a chocolate washing line.
The good old post it note, stuck to a door at reading height seems a sure way to get things done.
Making things achievable is also a way to get things done. Breaking them down into manageable nibbles instead of big chunks is also a good way to achieve the never ending list of things to be done.
In fact I rather like the rolling roadbook of the dakar rally bikes. I should perhaps have one of those stuck to the door.
And then I am reminded of the story of poor, rimmer. The simple minded space geek too stupid to pass a simple. Exam so spent all of his time creating more and more elaborate revision timetables, each one more elaborate than the last, until such time he completely ran out of time and had to sit the exam completely unrevised.
That is precisely how I feel about getting varekai ready to go back in the water. I've spent so much time actually planning and then doing creative things on the side that in fact absolutely nothing has been done since the boat came out of the water in early october 2010.

Still, at least my website looks nice ay?
Www.pushtheboatout.co.uk

blogging on the move

It has taken months of trying and being entirely unsuccessful, until now that is. A newly updated app from the magicial never never world of geekery has produced this post of non biblical proportions. Is this the future? Is this already the past? Who knows.
I do know that varekai is still high and dry on hard standing. Awaiting a pbracket person whos happy to do some work.

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if you want a job doing...

Now then, I seem to recall us being in and trying to get out of a recession.
You'd think that this would spark off a little urgency in the working people, those who run small businesses and so on.

Well, I've been trying to get someone to come and have a look at a P-bracket that needs 'a fixin' and blow me if they all can't be bloody arsed. I've been told its because marine engineers don't take women seriously. I find this hard to believe. My money and boat is no different to anyone elses is it? There's no hidden double x chromosome inside my money that makes it 2nd class. But this is the level of enthusiasm I've received thus far. I want a job doing. Have money, cash money to pay for it and no-one seems to have any hunger for my business.

So, talking of business, there was a whole sorry episode in late August when I had my premier primo bellissimo uber dooper Italian stallion swishy flashy bike stolen from a supposedly secure building in London. This sparked a change in my attitude and it left a large punctuation mark in my novel life. I decided to get on with things.

So I have. I've started my own business again.
Ye-bloody-ha

It's early days. But I'm practically in full swing already. My canvas sewing machine is poised, as is my domestic sewing machine and my camera equipment is already in regular action.

Meanwhile, my poor boat is out of the water until such time I can find someone to do some work for me. I need someone to push MY boat out. So to speak.

what've you got there then?

The question I am frequently asked at my equestrian based magazine desk in London when curious brown packages arrive on the postmans trolley.

This weeks delivery was a new set of windows.
the fruits of my Southampton wanderings are being borne.

the old Moonlight hatches on Varekai are now 20 years old and if they were a person, they'd be looking more like 90 ish. They are extremely craggy and crazed looking due to the effects of being in the Mediterranean sun, which I wish I was currently still "enduring".

Everytime it rains, drizzles or gets a little bit moist on deck the forehatch drips. When laying in bed if I happened to have a bigger hairdo then I could wash my hair at the same time as sleeping. The drips silently plop by at just a quiff's distance away from my pillow. Fine, the floor is waterproof. Except the small carpet that sits in the recess isnt. Im a bit fed up of trying to walk around the narrow raised rim of the floor or simply forgetting and having to hang my socks up to dry.



Since I need to remove the hatch perspex to re-seal it, I decided to pushtheboatout.co.uk and buy some new stuff to put back in.
A quick visit to eagle windows stall at the boat show, (conveniently timed when I fancied ordering windows), with a printout of pictures of my hatches and sizes.
They've sent me the whole kit 'n caboodle to fit my new hatch perspex and Lewmar portlights.

Im quite excited about stopping the drip. But not as excited as fixing my own sails, canopies and covers with my new aquisition. A new sewing machine has been added to the collection. Not only can I make curtains and upholstery but now I can sew heavy canvasses, sail cloths and a whole manner of kinky textiles.
Bloody brilliant, I shall be in my eye'oles whatever that is. The saloon table will never be the same again.