Sorting out the electrical system to make it simple to use and to maintain.

 Originally the wiring system had a number system, however over the years the system paperwork as disappeared and the systems the lifeboat needed during its working life are no longer needed so they are going to be removed to be replaced with a very simple system.

No manual to work too and the system is no longer used so all this system is going to be removed and an easy to follow system pt in its place. 

The original system which is no longer needed now that it is going to be a river boat and just needs to start the engine on a 24 volt system.

Four volt meters a bit over kill  

An over kill system which is not needed any longer

Now for the fun part removing all this wiring and making it a simple to use system

More the conversion of the yellow lifeboat

Starting to fit the toilet/shower room bulkheads to close off that area from the rest of the boat 

The battery box area before they are put into a proper battery management box and with its own inverter system to run the 240 volts systems off grid

Fitting the first of the bulkheads to the side of the boat, Once fitted then the fibreglass will be cleared of flowcoat back to bare fibreglass and the bulkhead will be glassed in position. 

The first parts of the fore and aft bulkheads starting to be fitted into position ready for the areas top and bottom to be cleared back ready to glass in these two part of the fore and aft bulkhead.

The original engine manual or at lease part of it

Busy week going looking at boats and projects around the country.

This week there has been a lot going on down at the workshop, The main part of the week as been spent on getting the Mai-Star Class dinghy ribbed out and sorting out the patterns for the breasthook and quarter knees and sorting out the wood to make them next week.

Other jobs that were sorted out this week was to fitting of a replacement automatic electric bilge pump to Mai Star II after the original bilge pump had given up the ghost after 8 years of service.

Looking at other jobs that possible clients wish me to quote on and taking phone calls for new special projects that possible clients wish to have built over the coming months.

Next week it will be back down to the river Thames to get on with work on the yellow lifeboat and get on with its conversion to a river boat and studio for its owner. Then there is another lifeboat to look at to do a possible conversion to and turn this one into a liveaboard boat for its owner, This one is in the pipeline as the owner decides which way they want the interior to be set out.

Then there is the works dinghy to sort out and get back on the water and in service again then there is the restoration of the 56 year old Enterprise to finish off and get sailing for the new sailing season.

  

Progress on the new dinghy for an old client wanting a new dinghy for the new sailing season.

The dinghy also ribbed out just the fron few to do when I get my next green oak shipment

Time to take a look at the plans and see what can be done while waiting for my next timber shipment 

Making patterns for the breasthook 

and the quarter knees 

Also take a look at making the mast step and mast thwart as well

Patterns made for the knees and breasthook  

Starting to nail in the ribs and once finished the next stage will be to fit the gunwales and seat stringers and the centreboard case.

This shows one side with the ribs all steamed in and ready to be nailed in place

The only problem which happened was that the second plank down from the sheer strake over night top edge spilt and so will have to remove plank and fit a new plank once all the ribs are nailed in place 

good to see the ribs going in at last and the dinghy stop being a jelly mould 

The brace in the middle is there to push the ribs up against before removing it to fit the ribs on the starboard side up against later.

Brace removed and the starboard side ribs going in position 

Getting there just a few more nails and roves to go and the next stage can start.

Now for a project of a completely different kind.

A completely new type of project being undertaken by the team at J-Star Boat Services to convert this ex Shell corporation lifeboat into a liveaboard and sightseeing trip boat.

Its nickname is the Yellow submarine 

One of the first jobs will be to convert the side opening hatches into a pair of sliding doors 

Sort out electric wiring for the engine and sort out the 240 volt shore supply   

Make a battery box and which will be vented and make it high enough to make into extra storage and a table.

Completely renew the galley 

Cooking area and get it up to spec to pass the BSC

Then sort out the engine wiring and instruments and get them working correctly and up to spec. 

The hull of the new dinghy is now finished and now the fitting out can begin.

Finally the last plank is now being fitted 

The final rebate being cut and the plank being fitted to the stem

The first of the moulds been removed as the plank is nailed in place.

The second mould now removed and 

finally the lot are removed to leave a big void to fill with centreboard case and seats and mast step

Looking up towards the stem after four of the twenty ribs have been steamed into position

Port side planking complete and just got to make the starboard side plank and then make a start on the fitting of the ribs.

Just giving the top plank a coat of thinned varnish before fitting to the dinghy

Starting to fix in position 

The apprentice starting to nail plank in place 

Using peg clamps and wedges to fit plank in position 

The apprentice about half way down the port side

Finally fitted and with a second coat of thinned varnish to finish it off for the day

Dry fitting port side top plank and then varnishing ready to put on next day

Dry fitting the plank , finally got to the top plank, Once these two planks are fitted then can make a start on making and fitting the ribs.

Fitting well round the moulds 

Now that it is dry fitted time for a coat of thinned varnish

Making sure to seal the end grain on the plank where it fits the stem.

Starting to make port side top plank and sanding down the inside of transom

Hand planing the last side of the port hand top plank and getting it ready to dry fit to the dinghy 

Starting to sand the inside face of the transom 

Sanded back to its unbleached surface and now ready for varnishing 

First coat of varnish and looking good 

Belt sanding plank to get rid of the plane marks