Tackling the fuel tank and heater and getting the front ready to replace the chain locker bulkhead.

The locker front removed to expose the fuel tank and the diesel heater above it in a very poorly made locker

This locker is going to be redesigned so that it is safer than it is at the moment

Looking into where in the cockpit it can be sited so it is out of the weather. 

The chain locker before it was removed 

The chain locker bulkhead removed, now ready to grind back the old fibreglass matting ready to glass in the new bulkhead

Removed the side lining carpets to keep the dust out of the material. 

The old bulkhead out of the boat in the workshop ready to make a new bulkhead out of the old bulkhead used as a pattern.

Making a start on the Chain locker bulkhead

The rot very visual and the cause appears to be the bolts through the bulkhead that were not sealed correctly and water ingress need the rest.

Cutting the old bulkhead from the inside first to remove the fibreglass bonding and then cut the other side once all the fibreglass is removed from the inside.

Chain locker bulkhead now out of the boat, now to start the messy part of the job, grinding the old fibreglass matting off the boat before glassing in the new bulkhead.

One of the first jobs this coming week, is to sort out this birds nest of wires and make it safe to use in the future

Like a lot boat that over the years as equipment fitted to it, there is no time taken to remove old wiring and instruments that are no longer working or are outdated by new equipment. So it is time to take the bull by the horns and sort this mess out and get it up to a strandard that is fit for working in a modern boat.  

The first job will be to sort out the 240 volt system from the 12 volt system and make it safe to use. Firstly by putting the batteries in a battery box that is vented.

Change the 240 volt system so it is up to date and safe to use.

The main job is going to be sorting out the locker into a better designed area with all the services to hand a easy to use.

Sort out the 240 volt sockets around the boat and put them in areas where they are not exposed to the elements

Sort out the engine bay electrics  so it is not just at run of odd wires going in all directions 

Also take out equipment that is not being used or is outdated that there are no spares available for them.

Hardy 25 refit, So let the work begin

The first major job to be done is to remove the chain locker bulkhead and replace the bulkhead with a new bulkhead.

The damage to the bulkhead is on the chain locker side where the plywood as been damaged from repeat inpacks from a large mud weight while it was used on the Norfolk Broads and has over time broken the plywood down until it started to leak. 

Now that all the cushions and berth top boards have been removed the extent of the job is easier to assess. The only odd thing is the bags of sand around the water tank and the water containers in the front of the boat.

The first sight of the job ahead to fit a custom shower tray in the area ahead of the toilet. A bit of brain storming ahead

A bit of a leak on the port middle window.

Brain storming will be well be needed here to make the best of the available space, first thing to strip out the whole area and made wateretight.to make it into a shower and toilet compartment.

Bird;s nest soup of wiring which over the years has been added too and never sorted out. This will be one of the first job for the Electronics team to sort out next week

A major refit on a Hardy 25

Now at the yard, so now the refit can begin with sorting out the major jobs 

The small outboard as been neglected for sometime and will need a good overhaul to get it back up and working again.

A number of gelcoat repairs to do around the boat mainly on the aft end where things have been removed over the years

The dashboard in need of sorting out and the wiring needs checking over to ensure the systems are working and where not replacing

The woodwork in the cockpit in need of replacing with some better quality material and finish 

The engine leg in need of servicing especially the gasket on the bottom of the boat that as come adrift 

The sea cocks that need replacing as they are passed their best