Getting ready to do work on the yacht over the winter months while its afloat.

The yacht now as the main part of its winter cover on and the short mast is in position to hold it up where it needs to be.

 Just got to get the front bit made up to cover the foredeck and that will keep the yacht dry over the winter and so the work on the inside can continue wherever the weather is like outside. 

The yacht will now spend the rest of the winter in this half tide mooring so the planks get a chance to take up gradually over the winter before being hauled out in the spring for a good sanding and fairing of the hull, when the hull as settled down and the planks have all swelled up and the taken position. 

The next job on the yacht is to fit the cockpit coamings

Here they were being planed down to thickness

Halfway through getting them varnished up ready to fit

Now on the yacht ready to fit back into position where the old ones came out and these are a lot stronger and thicker than the old ones and should last just as long if not longer.

Passing of a legend in my life.

This time last week, I got the news I was not wanting to hear, that my father had just died. He was my rock during my life.  Always there with a caring hand and a quiet word of encouragement when things were getting me down or the problem looked impossible to solve. He also helped me grow my business with a helping hand and endless cuppa's and fatherly advice when needed.

So now that he as passed over the sailors bar for the last time, let remember him for all the joy and fun he brought to my family's lives and that of his many friends lives over the years. RIP Father 

Mai-Star II afloat and ready to get on with the next step on the refit.

Antifouling done ready to launch

First time in water  

  

at its mooring for the winter while the rest of the work is done on the yacht to make it ready for next season

Yacht sitting a little bit above on its lines before the mast and interior ballast is fitted. 

This coming week is going to be set aside to get the last jobs done on Mai-Star II

This coming week is going to be set aside for Mai-Star II and getting her back in the water. So that the hull can swell up after being out of the water for over two years during which time she as had a lot of work done on her, including a new cabin roof and cabin sides and a new cockpit coaming which are going to be fitted over the winter months. She as also had a number of planks and ribs renewed where they were either broken or rotten or in some case both. 

So let the fun begin tomorrow and get the jobs done and see the yacht back in the water where she belongs. Then the next stage of this project can continue over the winter months.

Trailer maintenance a long time overdue.

Just having to do a bit of maintenance on one of the trailers. 

While the yard staff are between jobs, they are getting to grips with the need for proper maintenance of the company trailer especially as it is needed to transport wood and other big items around from place to place.

  The back plates are in need of a good clean and the brake shoes need to be replaced and the braking system needs a good overhaul before the trailer can be used again.