WEEKS SEVENTY FOUR AND SEVENTY FIVE

 

Wendera

 

Real progress has been made in the last two weeks, that the “pinhole” of light at the end of the tunnel – is getting brighter and brighter.

Week Seventy four’s focus was to paint the non-slip paint in all areas except the cockpit.  The cockpit will be done right at the very end.  The paint had finally arrived, and although it was a little darker than we had anticipated, we decided to proceed with a trial on the step hatches. The results were wonderful, and even Miss was pleased with the colour!  Always important to have the approval of a discerning woman!  The colour can best be described as a sandy colour, and we think it gives a lovely contrast to the glossy white.

The paint was rolled on and then sprayed with the non-slip particles (small beads of glass).  Then 24 hours later a second coat of the paint was applied.  Of course, the area first needs to be masked up.

The roof was next …

Then the top deck…

  

The bathroom floors were painted with the glossy white non slip.

At the end of Week Seventy Four, with all the non-slip paint completed, there was a flurry of activity with the advantage of many helpers.  Sean tackled the engine room (again) …. and although he needs to contort to reach difficult areas, he is happy that it is almost completed.

             

Lorraine was given the task of modifying the mattress covers on the double bunks.  The ordered double mattresses needed customisation to fit in the boy’s bunks.

The hypervent was cut to size for the double bunks…

             

The hypervent goes under the mattresses for ventilation.  The boys were then able to test out their new sleeping quarters ….

                   

Deran was let loose installing the interior lights ….

                       

The steering wheels were attached …. impressive …

The inverter-charger was installed the power panel in the port hull…

              

While Ian (our resident expert qualified electrician) connected the power points.

All the doors were given their final painting….

A production line of doors.

The hand rails were attached…

             

Week seventy five saw Chris hang all the doors, an enormous job ….

       

                   

Paul started constructing the templates for the laminate, for the saloon and galley bench tops …

and in both hulls …

      

Ben wanted a “feature” wall in his cabin, so that was masked up, painted and the interior light was installed.  The result is very classy…

      

Paul modified the galley cupboard for the opening of the microwave and constructed and installed the shelf unit that the microwave will sit on …

        

The guide handles and courtesy lights for the steps to the hulls were installed…

          

And the fuel gauge installed above the inverter …

         

Can you notice what Chris and Paul go up to on Friday?

The astute among you will notice the rudders have been removed.  This involved jacking Wendera up to take them out.  The rudders require a hole drilled in the shafts so the rudder tiller bars can be fitted.

And finally the hatches for each of the double cabins were installed, complete with their flyscreens… Ben helped with the installation …

         

       

 

   All signs are now pointing to the launch date being

WEEKS SEVENTY TWO AND SEVENTY THREE

 

Wendera

 The results from work at the end of Week 72 …

How Wendera looked at the end of week 73 ….

 

What would a week be without sanding?  We keep asking ourselves as we started week 72 with yet more sanding.  This week’s sanding was focused on the interior, the saloon and galley in particular.

With sanding finished in the hulls, Chris and Paul were then able to roll the top coat (Ben’s selected Sea Fog) in the cabins.

 

  

A second coat was applied 24 hours later.

Sean came out on the Sunday to help out and was set the task of installing the sound insulation in the engine rooms.

                  

The main traveller track was then installed on the cockpit furniture.

It was exciting then to put on the main traveller cars.

                    

Another decision that needed to be finalised was the laminate.  The number of samples was mind boggling.  Needless to say, the first choice was the most expensive. So a more budget friendly selection, yet similar toning, laminate was agreed upon.  Can you guess which one it is?

               

By the end of week 73, the goal was to have the inside painting completed.  The weather was co-operating, if just a little cold, so we were positive that this could be achieved.

Two coats were rolled over successive days, and the results were pleasing.

 

Now for some fun …. put bits on Wendera to make her look more like a real boat!

Attaching the spinlock clutches

  

   

          

With the interior painted, Friday drinks could be taken in the saloon – a momentous milestone in Wendera ’s life journey! And I’m sure the first of many drinks to be enjoyed on board her.

                 

Saturday saw a flurry of activity.  Chris (the Pinhole Killer!) tackled sanding the doors ready for final painting…

 

Sean installed the hot water coolant over flow tank (affectionately nicknamed Sean’s Frankenstein Clamp monster!) …

         

Paul and the boys were on hatch and portlight duties …

 

       

         

          

The engine controls were next  …

 

    

and the engine instrument panels were dry fitted …

           

And some more hatches …

 

Then finally the starboard side window in the galley area …

Outside view

  Inside view    

   I think you’ll agree, that we are looking good for launch

WEEK SEVENTY ONE

 

Wendera

 

Week seventy one started out much like the past weeks – the seemingly never ending sanding continued.

Excitement for the boys when we came back to the shed for lunch on Tuesday, Paul had cut the holes in the chamfer panels in their cabins and dry fitted the portlights.  They can now be in their bunks looking at each other….

Sanding of the inside of the saloon and galley was a focus for this week.  Chris and Paul attacked it with vengeance.

There was a production line of door painting ….

Chris marked out for the lift ring fittings in the cockpit locker lids ….

 

Paul had a marathon session doing his impression of “Picasso” when he rolled the first undercoat on the starboard midships.

On Thursday morning Chris and Paul dry fitted the saloon windows, entry door and the fridge.  They all looked fantastic – unfortunately the on-site photographer was off-site, so there is no photographic evidence.  The fridge was so difficult to get up into Wendera it has been left in the cockpit, for now.

                         

The top coat was painted in the port side ensuite ….

                         

Paul installed the trim surround for the retractable flyscreen door ….

 

With sanding completed, the saloon and galley was masked up for painting of the final undercoat ….

Chris had a some inquisitive spectators as he painted, even though it was a bit smelly ….

And the result looks great ….

Paul undercoated more of the doors ….

     

Then some fun stuff….

                  

         

Paul started to install the mainsail handling gear. The first Harken winch is on!

Sure is starting to look as though the launch date is only ….

Now where have I heard that before?