The next project to be coming to J-Star Marine Services for a new deck and other small jobs

A Finesse 21 which is in need of a new main deck 

The yacht is in overall good condition, however, it needs a replacement main deck as this as gone rotten in places and the best way to tackle this problem is to remove the whole deck from bow to stern and investigate the reason why it happened and ensure it does not return.

A part of the deck which as de-laminated as the plywood used was not the correct grade of plywood for the use it was being used for.

A section of rubbing strake that needs renewing and a piece further along on the same side. The best course of action in this job, is to renew the whole length to keep its strength and when sheathing the deck, It will ensure the sheathing is held in position by a single piece of rubbing strake.

A small repair needed to the edge of the plank.

The deck now getting their coats of protective epoxy primer and other jobs on the yacht.

The first coat of the protective epoxy primer to the decks and all the edges around all the decks 

A major change of colour and looks like a different yacht, just have to let it cure off for 5 hrs and then paint the second coat on to the first coat and the job of sealing the decks will be done and then the trims can be fitted and sealed down with marine sealant. 

One of the apprentices doing the hardening up of the nails after being instructed how to do the job.

The cockpit sole floor bearers now fitted in place and the front beam bolted and screwed in position and once the area is cleared of the temporary floor boards and the vac the templates will be made and the new floor boards will be made.

Got a number of jobs sorted today

Today, being my first day which i did not feel under the weather, I was able to get a number of jobs done and other underway on the Finesse 24. Was able to cut the lengths of wood for the trims for the edge of the upper and lower deck edges and start to get the rubbing stake backs cleaned up and get rid of the old sealant and bits of rotten planking and deck that came off when the decks were removed

Have two young people working .work under my supervisor the jobs were got underway and, just need finishing off before they get on to the next jobs on the yacht.

The next job on the yacht that as to be done is to plane the top and bottom of the trims to the angle of the deck. so when they are fitted they sit well along the cabin side and on the deck to make a good seal between an area that moves while the yacht is underway in a seaway. Another job to do tomorrow is to radius the outside edge of the lower deck and sort out the top of the transom so that the whole of the deck is going to be ready to get painted at the weekend.

One job that as to be done tomorrow or and Thursday is to harden up the nails on the ribs in the main cabin between the toilet compartment and the cockpit bulkhead so that the plank will give less time to take up when she goes back afloat. While this is getting done the main hatchway surround and trim will be refitted and the sliding hatch will be re-instated and the new fore hatch philth will be made to take the new hatch. So all in all a busy few days ahead for me and my new apprentices. 

Finally back at work with my new apprentice and getting through the list of jobs on the Finesse 24

Now that I am back at work the work can get underway again and we can get back on track with getting the yacht work done.Also today interviewed and taken on my second apprentice to work along side the first apprentice and so the work can be done more quickly and be more effectively in any given time frame. Now I can get on with the more skilled part of the job and the admin parts.

The new apprentices are going to be a good addition to the company.

Now that I have found one new apprentice and will be interviewing for a second apprentice over the next few days to bring the workforce up to the size i wish it to be.

If the new apprentices work out, they will then be doing much of heavy work and the less skilled work and at the same learn new skills during their apprenticeships. This will leave me to do more of the skilled work and go out quoting for new work.

So with these changes happening, I have high hopes for a good future for both my new apprentices and myself over the coming months and years to come.

Now it is a just a test of time and the energy to make it all work.