Wendera

This is the last post to this site.

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Thanks to everyone who helped in Wendera’s construction and launch and for allowing us to follow our sailing dream.

The Cochrane family

In the words of Stevie Wonder …. "Isn’t she lovely?"

And as promised …. six weeks after the launch, this is how she looks on the inside ….

THE SALOON ….

Thank you to Andrew of Action Auto Upholstery and Marine Canvas  (Ph: (09) 4984 6698 or Mobile 0407 787 100) for the gorgeous saloon cushions – we love them, they look great and are very comfortable too!

THE GALLEY ….

As you can see, there is still work to be done, with doors and hinges, but I think you’ll agree it is a great working space for any chef!

THE STARBOARD SIDE MAIN CABIN (GUEST CABIN) ….

THE PORTSIDE MAIN CABIN ….

THE STARBOARD SIDE AFT CABIN (Ben’s) ….

THE PORTSIDE AFT CABIN (Tim’s) ….

Note the portlight hatches, through which the boys can see the water illuminated by the underwater lights!

The Port Head and the DC Switchboard and inverter.

THE COCKPIT ….

THE HELM STATION ….

The window behind sides down so Paul can have immediate access to the navigation station.

        Mooch (the tender) sits comfortably from the Davits.

The main cover and headsail on …..

Wendera with her main being pulled up for the first time …..

Wendera under sail in Port Stephens ….

and with the spinnaker ….

She’s pretty ……

She’s functional …..

and although there are still a few things to be completed, soon the journey will begin but for now, we are already enjoying living on her. To quote Ben "this is the life!"

Wendera

She’s launched …. she floats …. and she looks beautiful!

But let’s start at the beginning of the week … the countdown to the launch of Friday 26th September, had begun.

A list was created for the last of the jobs that needed to be completed in order for Wendera to float.  We then set about to systematically work through the list.

To finish installing the windows in the starboard side was a priority, as was finishing off the portside windows.

The masking from the portside windows was removed to reveal a first glimpse of the finished product.

Now all that was required was to backfill with Sika.

The final hatches needed to be installed to make Wendera watertight ….. 

Those helping out, will know how much Missy appreciated when Sean installed this hatch ……

Final fittings were attached …..

Chris crafted the trim to  finish the steps.

Work was then done installing the portside windows. Again using the templates for drilling pilot holes required as fixing points, masking up, prepping with primer, attaching the window mounts, positioning the windows in place on the bead of Sika and finally mounting the cleats  to ensure the windows didn’t move while the Sika went off.

The tabernacle was positioned …..

The main cabin door was prepped and installed …..

Then the sliding window behind the navigation station was installed ….

Both look great and will be really functional in keeping Wendera cool and ventilated ….. 

The solar panel ventilation fans were installed …..

The “geriatric apprentice” John arrived back in town and was quickly set to work …… (no rest for the wicked!)

This is the wood required to make the mattress frames for the two main cabins.

The propellers were installed and greased ……

Ian, our expert electrician, connected up more power ……

The oven was installed ….. 

and looks delectable!

Sean and John drilled the holes required to attach the rudder tiller barst ……

The day before launch …..

It was now time to dismantle the shed, to allow the truck access and to get Wendera out!

The roller door needed to come down …..

The tender was inflated, and the registration stickers, name (Mooch) and logo were attached ……

  The engine was mounted and given

   a test run ……

The registration numbers were applied to Wendera …..

Now it was time for Wendera to come out of the shed …..

Robert Honey of Marine Transport is an absolute master at this.  He was an expert at manoeuvring the crane – it was almost as if it were part of him.

Large polystyrene blocks were placed under the bridgedeck …..

And out she came …..

All the while, Paul checking Wendera was OK, from a prime location ……

Photographers all around to capture the moment …..

The further she

came out,

the larger she

seemed to be!

The crane arm was again needed to get her over the lip of the shed, to ensure everything was secure and stable.  Again, Robert, the genius, showed his talent.

She’s out …..

And the shed looks bare …… but ready to build another ……

The crane was used again to remove the polystyrene blocks and place Wendera on the mounts to secure her in place during transport …..

And she’s on the trailer …..

The daggerboards were then inserted …..

And Wendera is ready to go at first light on Friday morning …..

So now it’s time to relax (for now) ……

Friday dawns and there is a buzz as friends and family join us to witness the launch of Wendera …..

Final checks are made, and

she is ready ……

There’s not much room …..

but just enough ……

And off she goes, under escort ……

Robert avoided all the overhanging branches and obstacles with ease …..

And Wendera arrived at Little Beach for her launch.  Notice the sign, I think we definitely qualify! The weather was perfect ……

Mooch, the dinghy, is launched first …..

The boys couldn’t decide if they were going to be on Wendera as she went into the water, but in the end opted to watch from Mooch ……

AND Wendera IS LAUNCHED!

The boys, Chris and Lilly hop on board for her maiden voyage ……

Miss waved them off from the pier (busily snapping photos) …… as Wendera set off under motor to the Nelson Bay Marina for the fitting of her mast ……

At the marina, Wendera came along side to have her mast attached ……

Spectators were everywhere …….

With the mast going up, time for a little relaxing …..

 Wendera was officially christened …..

The story is almost complete ……

On Saturday we motored back to Little Beach to release some balloons in honour of the wonderful people who inspired Wendera – Wendy Cochrane and Deran Hood, while two dolphins came along side, it truly felt they were there to watch over and guide Wendera on all her journeys.

Now it’s time to enjoy Wendera ……

  Thank you to all our family and friends who

  joined us in seeing our dream become a

  reality with the launching of Wendera 

  and for their support during the build

  process.

There is still work to be completed to finish the interior, so in “6 weeks”  we’ll show you on-board.  Until then ….. fair weather and following seas.

Thank you to Robert Honey, Marine Transport a master at his craft.  If you need boat transportation call Robert on 1800 BY ROAD (1800 297623).

Thank you to Bob Dobell for giving Wendera her name and logo.  Bob can be contacted on 0428 614684 for your signwriting needs in the Newcastle area.

Wendera

Look what a difference a week makes (and working a lot of late nights) …..

                  Wendera on Monday ….. 

and by Sunday she was really taking shape ….. 

We started the week by finishing the painting. First was the non-slip paint on the floors of the cockpit and down the steps.  The area was masked ready for rolling …..

Then the first coat was rolled, the glass beads sprayed on and the final second coat was applied the next day…..

The boot topper was then applied above the waterline on both hull sides …..

Chris completed the final preparation for the rudders to be anti-fouled.

and also prepped the propeller shafts, and the sail drive legs ……

The headboard was constructed for the feature wall, with areas strengthened where the light fittings and artwork will be attached …..

Paul engineered and constructed mounts to jack the boat, so the  stands could be removed for the painting of the anti-foul on the bottom of the hulls.

The hull bottoms were then masked and given a light sanding in preparation for the application of undercoat before the anti-foul was rolled on …..

The three coats of anti-foul were then applied to the bottom of both hulls ….

as well as to the daggerboards ……

and both rudders …..

The black boat stripe was applied through the portlight holes ……

She was really looking great now! Especially after the first portlight had been installed ……

Four down, four to go ……

The board for the feature wall was sanded and everdure was applied, now it was ready to be covered in macrosuede ……

The outside of the shed was tidied up to allow the truck easy access.  A skip of waste was removed, including the boy’s cubby, which was dismantled and destroyed ……

          …. the strength of Arnold Schwarzenegger!

The first of the laminate was installed on the hull furniture.

It was now time to start the work on the outside windows.  Firstly the templates were used to mark out the position of the holes that would be required as fixing points.

They were then masked and packers were made for when the windows were in place waiting for the sika to go off …..

The last of the laminate was installed in the galley area, after first being masked up …..

A tarp was set up to eliminate overspray and the painting of the final doors and hatches was completed …..

Wendera was registered on Friday – she was now ready to be launched …. well save a few holes to help her float!

The starboard engine was given a final inspection before it was tested ……

and she purred like a kitten.  Tim, Ben and Miss were then given instructions on how to turn the engines on, and each had a go …..

The trim was attached to finish the laminate on the hull furniture ……

The windows were attached to the portside, after being prepped with primer on both surfaces and spacers attached …..

A 5mm bead of UV resistant Sika was then applied, before the window was placed into position …..

The cleats were then attached to hold the windows in place while the Sika went off.

The batteries were installed and connected …..

The fridge was moved into place, turned on and very importantly stocked! …..

Tim was set the task of cleaning the engine rooms, got to be ship shape for launch …..

  The folding propellers were fitted ….

The hole for the sink was routered out …..

and the sink installed …..

and the plumbing attached ……

Cleaned up, ready for use ……

The stauncions were fixed into place …..

and the in-bench bin was installed …..

So Wendera is definitely on track for launch in

Wendera

This is how she looked on Sunday afternoon.

The first set back during the week came when Paul started cutting out the laminate from the templates that he had so spent so much time cutting out last week. The thickness of the templates was too thin for the router. With hands thrown in the air, and just a few choice words muttered ….. a trip was made to Bunnings for thicker MDF. A day later with the new thicker templates, the family nervously looked on as the laminate was cut – success, and a sigh of relief from everyone.

The floor in the saloon had two coats of polyurethane applied …..

The flooring was installed in the hulls …..

      y

Chris worked on the trim for the edge of the furniture and steps …..

The laminate was dry fitted, the first glimpse of the look of the saloon …..

Tuesday evening was spent bleeding the hydraulic fluid in the autopilot ……

Another “holding your breath’ moment came when Paul started cutting out the windows, but all went like clockwork …..

The edges

were

polished.

Measurements were made for the boot topper, it was attached and then all was revealed ……

  Both sides were

  completed, and

  look great.

Ben had his friend Jason visit from Canberra.  So the mattresses were put in the double cabins, and the boys slept in their cabins (after a movie and snacks!) for the very first time.  The boys commented the their cabins were “AWESOME!!!” and the beds are very roomy.  So a tick of approval was given by the boys.

Another exciting milestone was achieved on Saturday with the starting up of the port engine …..

                        Turning the key …..

                                                  Everyone was on deck to witness the

                                                        first roar of the engine.

And finally the impressive davits were installed …..

and tested …..

             and when they passed the test, the boys enjoyed having some fun winching each other up and down on them (creating a few wedgies in the process!).

So we are now another week closer to launch – the sixth week is rapidly approaching.

Wendera

What! Another week has gone already?  Time is flying by, with still so much yet to do … the countdown to launch day has begun. But what a week it has been for Wendera this week. 

Chris and Paul started out the week laying out the templates on the teak/holly flooring ready for cutting out.  This was a perplexing puzzle, given the lines of holly that needed to be matched along each panel, and the size of each panel.  We had five sheets for the whole flooring, would we fit it in, and would we have enough material?  After much deliberation, the jigsaw was solved …..

Excitement for us all (and a few tears from Miss) as the name and logo were put onto Wendera Wow! She looks so beautiful …..

The dining table was ‘dry’ fitted …..

With the flooring cut out, it was ‘dry’ fitted.  Look how well Paul and Chris did with lining up the lines ……

The floor panels for the hull sides and the steps were then varnished, ready for installation next week …..

The flooring for the saloon/galley area was glued in place (when the glue goes off, it will be varnished) …..

With Sean’s help on Saturday, the HyDrive hydraulic steering was bled, a job which took most of the day! It was all hands on deck, so there are only a few photos as proof of our efforts …..

Sunday saw a blitz of hatches being attached to Wendera as well as a couple of spinlocks …..

The question plaguing us now, and causing Paul a few sleepless nights, with 

until launch, will it all get completed in time?  That, my friends, is the million dollar question!!! But watch this space to see …..

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

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

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?

Wendera

Although the inevitable sanding continued this week, now the final top coat on the outside has been completed, Paul was allowed to have fun fitting more fixtures to Wendera.

The European styled cleats were fixed. The aft cleats were particularly difficult to attach, requiring Ben to contort himself in the engine room to reach them. We are lucky to have the services of a ten year old just the right size to fit in such a small space!

Another fun job was attaching the anchor bow roller.  As you can see this was well documented by our in house photographer and video recorder – thanks “Cecil B de Tim”.

So if you have the bow roller attached you would be mad not to install the electric winch. Again requiring the services of the right sized worker!  We got Tim into the locker to tighten the fittings, we were just a little worried that we may not be able to get him out again!

It was now ready some action ….. with the whole family eagerly watching.

After the 100 kg (56m) of anchor chain had been untangled, Paul had the first honour of hand winding the winch.

followed by Ben and then Tim ….

            and finally fully winched in.

The anchor winch was then connected to power and tested.  Much to the delight of everyone, it worked beautifully.

Chris and Paul worked cutting the holes for the door knobs.  A layer of resin was also applied to the doors to eradicate the dreaded pin holes.

 The inside of some doors were painted.

Ben decided on the colour for the inside of Wendera - Sea Fog.  A sample was ordered and applied to the main cabin wall to ensure that we were completely happy with the colour.  Given the difficulty in selecting the colour (minds were changed many times!!!), Chris said we should have stuck to the original colour chart consisting of 9 colours!!!  Who knew there could be so many variations on white and cream!

Ben’s cabin received a coat of undercoat and looks great.

Finally the first two spinnaker blocks were installed.

Could it be ….. maybe ….. the launch date is only …..

Wendera

What a bonanza this week has been.  We can all see that there is finally some light at the end of the tunnel.  The boy’s comment when they saw Wendera on Friday really sums up how we are all feeling.  To quote them “Wow, we really have a boat now!”

But my excitement has got me ahead of things….

The week started out with more of the same – sanding.  On Monday the weather was blustery and rainy, but the weather forecast was looking promising for some painting towards the end of the week. So plans were made to evacuate the family for the evening of Thursday (thanks Zoe and Brad for your continued hospitality and patience), so painting could be done on the cockpit.

On Tuesday evening Tim and Paul installed the cockpit and anchor locker drain covers.

  The Cockpit drains

The starboard side ensuite and main cabin were painted with undercoat on Wednesday, after the obligatory masking. 

   The paint gun.

Notice the ventilation tubing, to ensure Chris does not get asphyxiated, the unit that Ben assembled and Paul modified.

After the paint had dried, what do you think we found???? Remember the bane of our existence? Those PINHOLES again! So the discolouration / marks you see on the paint is the filling bog.

The masking Thursday before the painting of the cockpit seemed to take forever, but a necessary exercise to ensure a clean finish.

Paul and Chris celebrated with German beers.  This is fast becoming yet another tradition with Wendera - paint Thursday then drink German beers! But doesn’t she look beautiful?

I’ll enlighten you with all the routines/traditions associated with the build of Wendera …

On Saturday Paul and the boys installed the lights in the cockpit roof and the LED lights in the cockpit furniture.  What a momentous occasion – turning on the first lights!

On a roll, they then installed the engine vent baffle boxes that Pop (John) built during his “back breaking” boat building apprenticeship.

Building a boat sometimes involves contorting yourself into some awkward places and positions….

Engine room work…..

painting the bottom of the dagger board cases.

The budget doesn’t extend to a new pair of overalls – it’s a good look, don’t you think?

Next was the installation of the rod holders.

Quite a day’s work! Now that’s progress.

So I’d think it would be safe to say ….