Finally fitting the first part of the keel and now on to the next pieces to make up the keel.

The part of the new keel now glued on with marine sealant  and bolted through the hull with bolts and large penny washers and then get ready for the next stage of the build up of the keel pieces.

With this piece of keel the back of the boat is now got a lot of it strength back along the centre line of the hull.

The next pieces now dry fitted in position just got to sort out how to fix these parts . they are going to glued and then have lengths of studding put through the other parts of the keel pieces to fix them as well as epoxy glue the parts together.

Got to make up a wedge to fit in the part between the next pieces once these are sorted the last long piece will be glued and fixed in position.

 

All change at J-Star Marine Services and the way forward

 All change in the workshop with different jobs coming into the workshop. Getting through the boats in the workshop and the yard before moving to smaller premises. So I am not as people think retiring, Just moving to smaller premises to keep my business working and keep helping my many clients with their boats.

Although I am closing the workshop in Walton on the Naze to more large work from the 10th of September and moving to smaller premises in Clacton on Sea as soon as the boats are finished I am still working on smaller boats and projects. So if there are clients who wish to have small repairs and refits just call Simon on 07534045729 for a chat.

I am having a yard and workshop sale of the equipment I no longer need as I am moving to smaller premises. The sale is ongoing from the 10th of September until the yard and workshop are empty of all the equipment and other items which are up for sale.

Time to call it a day after 49 years as a boat builder and close down J-Star Marine Services

After 49 years I have decided to call it a day, I would like to thank all my past clients for their putting their work in my hands and for the return custom they have given me over the past 49 years. It has been a honour to work on your boats and yachts over these years and hop you are enjoying your boat now and in the future.

The boat yard and workshop will close on the 10th September and there is going to be a yard and workshop after that until the yard and workshop are empty.

As part of the boatyard sale there is a workshop cradle was designed for a 35 ft motor cruiser or can be used for a 30 ft yacht it as 8 wheels and is fully mobile. There is also a mobile yard hoist which is able to lift 3 ton boats. Open to reasonable offers on these pieces of equipment now they are surplus to the yards needs. Contact Simon on 07534045729 if you are interested. 

The boat yard sale is at Unit 5 Foundry Yard Hall Lane Walton on the Naze CO14 8HW Not at my home address, So will people not go to my home address and upset my Wife please.

I will continue to offer an mobile services so I will be available to work on client's boats when required.

Simon Signing out and hope to see you all out there in the future.

Starting to fit the new keel round the stern tube

Having dry fitted the forward section of keel it is time to start to fit aft section of keel to fit it round the stern tube and fit it under the forward where there is a wedge shape gap under the long section of keel.

Having cut a cut a slot in the aft section of keel it is time to position the keel over the stern tube to mark off the position of the areas at the ends both forward and aft to remove the wood at these ends to let the keel lay flat on the hull.

The forward end will need material removing from the underside to allow the keel lower face to fit the hull

The same job as to be done are the aft end on the top face of the keel to allow this to happen as well.

All chance in the workshop and out in the yard as I am to the end of the week

The picnic boat is now in the workshop to have the work continue on building a new keel to encapsulate the stern tube. Once the keel is made up and the. the the boat will be turned over and the rest of the refit can be done on the boat to get it ready to be used this autumn.  

The Wayfarer is now out in the yard to get the mast put up to check over the rigging and the sails and check out what is missing before it can go for its first sail in sometime.

The 8 ft dinghy tender it still up for sale at a good price and is ready to used. Just add water and enjoy exploring the local creeks and rivers.

I get in dinghies which are in need of restoring and at present I have a 10ft dinghy/tender and a 15ft dinghy fishing dinghy which can be restored at a reasonable cost and much lower than buying a new boat.

The Wayfarer is just in need of a new pair of aft side benches and a few gelcoat repairs. Then it is ready for someone to take it for sail.