a major milestone!
Hooray, I’ve got high speed internet access on my lifeboat! I’m writing my first blog from on board. The sun just set, and it’s been a lovely day here. The boat is coming along slowly but surely. We’ve cleaned up the inside a bit, and I’ve had various traditional boatbuilders down to assess the damage to the hull, which happened before my time. She’s definitely never going to sea again, they all agree that much. Question is what and how much do we need to do to prolong her life on land. There’s some dry and wet rot, which will only get worse unless we take steps to waterproof her anyway to keep the rain out. Freshwater is the enemy of wooden boats—seawater is much better, as the salt pickles the wood. She’d actually last longer if she was moored in a tidal river, instead of up on blocks with the wind whistling though her timbers… but we’re beyond that now. So the goal is to make sure she doesn’t deteriorate much further on land, and to make her comfortable as a studio and general hangout place. I’ve got a commercial dehumidifier on the go 24/7, as the boat was very damp, due the the previous owners not fixing leaks and hatches. It takes about 2 litres per day out of the atmosphere. There’s a noticeable difference after a few days, the interior is a lot more pleasant. It’s still very cold of course, as I don’t want to light the wood-burning stove yet, and we’re a ways away from having a renewable energy source. There’s progress on that front as I’ve received some initial plans from a very cool windpower company V3, who have been down to estimate my power requirements, what 12v batteries I need and so on.
One issue with repairs is the weather. It’s so wet, windy and unpredictable at this time of year that we’re reluctant to start any work that will require paint, varnish, or epoxy, as they require the right conditions to cure. So I reckon I’m going to buy a fitted cover for the deck and topsides, and keep her dry until the Spring. You can buy ‘shrink-wrap’ covers these days that are durable and cheap. They literally lay plastic over the whole boat and apply a heater until it shrinks to give a tight fit. It’ll make the interior a little dark but it won’t stop me setting up my studio in the wheelhouse. Of course, I’m trying to keep an eye on my carbon footprint for the whole project, for fear of defeating the object, which is to make an album ‘off the grid.’ I don’t want to front-load the whole thing; but I need to do enough to get up and running, and once we’ve got wind and solar power happening, I’ll feel better about using power tools, blow heaters etc.
So here I am in the wheelhouse of….. well, I’m not quite ready to tell you the lifeboat’s name yet, but suffice to say I borrowed it from my favourite maritime novellist Patrick O’Brian.
This 10 minute blog has been effectively the first creative work I’ve done aboard the lifeboat, which is a major milestone!
Congratulations on your first work from the Bridge (is the wheelhouse a bridge?).
I hope the repairs to the boat don’t shrink wrap your creative juices too much!!.
Sound’s like the name of your boat could have something with a swashbuckling ring to it, judging by your favourite author.
Have you smashed that bottle of champers on the bow yet or will you wait ‘till the boat is finished?
All excellent stuff!
Will the name be a Surprise? Or something more… huntressesque.
(Just finished reading about Admiral Sir Sidney Smith, who defeated Napoleon at Acre. He got imprisoned for a while in Paris, which was probably the basis for the description of Aubrey and Maturin’s detention in The Surgeon’s Mate. Worth a Wikipedia look-up: tons of fab nautical miscellania attached to the man)
Ahoy, matey!
Sounds like things are progressing nicely. All ships must retire from the sea eventually, I suppose. Just think of your property as a rest-home where the old girl will have a nice view of the sea…
You look the part of the sea captain with the parka and the beard!
Stay warm.
Beech
Congrats on your first foray into “boat blogging.” You look good with the facial hair, btw – very spiffy! If we didn’t know you were in your garden, we’d think you’re reporting from your ship somewhere in the arctic. =)
If I were to name a boat from the pages of a Patrick O’Brian novel, I’d have to go with “Toasted Cheese”…
Why do I get the feeling that in the near future there’ll be a new MTV show called : “Pimp My Boat!”
Thomas,
Sounds like lots of progress so far, its a shame she won’t float again.
Whats the time scale for getting some renewable power on board?
Do you know if when the batteries are charged and the wind turbine is still producing power will it feed back into the grid?
or power the cottage?
lets hope for a good dry spring/summer, well at least we get the lowest rainfall in the UK.
Lindon
A first post from the boat, so the creative work has begun.
It may not be sea-shape, but at least it is “C”-shape.
Sounds like you’ve got the right idea in not rushing things. Take the time, allow for weather, and prioritize. No use having to do it all over again.
Smooth sailing.
Phil
.
Well, at least you won’t have to worry about pirate twins…. er, I mean pirates…
Monica
I agree Prof H, it should be a Surprise. As long as it’s not the “horrible old Leopard” or the Pollycrest!
I think it’s great that it may be fueled by Windpower. Is that reliable enough or will there be a solar or other component? My question about any of these sources is: what about the batteries, special components (polymers, plastics, whatever), etc? What is their long term environmental impact vs the reduction in burning fossil fuels (in this case a relatively small amount as it’s not even a full time living space). If anyone has good info, please share it!
The sound of shrink-wrapping an antique lifeboat:
“creeeeeeeeeaaaakk…”
You describe things so well that I can practically smell that old
wood, Cap’n Thomas, of the good ship Literary Reference.
I’m confident that the bateau will be as dry as a bone before you
have her wrapped up. I guess you’ll know she’s sort of ‘wrung
dry’ when the dehumidifier starts making rude slurping noises,
eh? (wink). That could take a while, but, well, keep yourself amused by blogging your face off, writing songs, good stuff like
that. I’m with Merujo on the manly-stubbled look, by the way. You look very nautical. Next you’ll be calling us all landlubbers!!
Gad, 2 liters of water sucked out of the boat’s interior air per
diem?!? You could almost grow orchids or something, if the weather was warmer. Oh wait, not enough light, I imagine. So
just grow inspiration instead.
The future is roses! Or maybe orchids, hee hee.
Peace and wondering, “What Wood Dolby Do?”
Kooky Kara
Great boat, Thomas!
I know what you are dealing with!
I had my first wooden beauty in my back yard, as well. You’ll find the battle with keeping the space dry…that is…dry enough for delicate electrical equipment, a real test of your patience.
The problem is, if you don’t cover it at all, fresh water will find it’s way in until repaired. If you cover it with shrink wrap, you’ll need a very good dehumidifier to keep it dry, as the boat is full of moisture, so the plastic keeps it from evaporating and locks in dampness. Also, I wrapped my 1957 Chris Craft 32′ Commander with the shrink stuff, and you can only expect to get one season out of it, as it will wear out with exposure to weather and wind. Mine did. You also have to build a framework of sorts to set up somewhat of a tent-like structure so that all the water will run off and not pool. Not exactly a very aesthetic solution.
It would be cool to build some sort of “Boathouse” with a protective roof. A nice set of steps up to the “dock” area could make the area a really nice place to gather and sit perhaps. Nice chairs and such. A real “Dockside” atmosphere! It could all be very nautical. If it’s out of the rain, it would last indefinately, as well as keep the uv damage away from your 10 coats of marine varnish.
I love brightwork, but it only last a short while in the weather.
All that being said, it’s a labor of love, and well worth it!
Best of luck…what a beauty!
Ed White
Good points all round Ed.
I agree that a boathouse might be very nice. But it’s very hard to get stuff built, because we live in an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty (UK term) and the neighbours tend to be quite strict on each other about planning permission etc. Not so much as a garden shed goes up without eyebrows being raised!
I think I’ve found a cover that has the benefits of shrink-wrap but is a little longer lasting and is removable. So I’ll be able to keep it on (with the dehumidifier inside) until the weather improves and we can effect some repairs.
It sure looks to be in a beautiful area! It does look quite proud and dignified just as she is, with a sky above and a view of the water. I’m sure there is an elegant solution that will do what needs to be done, and be sensitive to the area’s natural beauty…as well as the neighbor’s over active eyebrows!
These ARE meant to live in the climate in your area, and I’m sure once the topsides are secured and waterproofed all will be well. I’m sure there are many people in the know about these matters in your area, and how to make the boat live with whatever the seasons bring.
You’ll find a solution, I’m sure!
The truth is, there are those among us that find varnished mahogany and round windows irresistible, and trying to explain it to those who do not is fruitless. There is so much history, adventure, and nostalgia associated with these boats, not to mention the wonder of the vanishing art of the construction of a fine wooden boat. Having an cabin of fine joinery as a living space is something that can’t be duplicated. It’s like living in a piece of artwork. You know you are smitten when you know each of your many issues of “Wooden Boat” by heart!
Again, continued good lick, and good fun!
Ed
Hey Thomas, I looked online to see that there were only 13 responses to your newest entry and I was disappointed that there had only been this small response to your most recent and most exciting post. I am almost always just a “lurker”, but came out of the woodwork just now to “represent” (as the kids today say!) The quiet multitudes are all here, rooting for you, and send warm thoughts to you often, even through our silences.
-Bruce
Thomas,
Congratulations! That’s most likely the boats first encounter with hi-tech.
I can certainly understand the problem you are facing. Living near a waterway like you do, you are going to have a higher humidity level in the air. Even when you do repair the damage, you are most likely going to continue dealing with humidity as you go forward.
I can recommend one key mod to make to your de-humidifier (if you haven’t already done so). Attach a tube to the collection tub to allow it to drain outside the boat so you don’t have to empty it all the time. You can either let it gravity feed out of a drain, or use a bilge pump with a floater.
One more thing, you will need a bit collection bucket next to your wireless hub. Boats are notorious for leaking, and you don’t want those leaking bits just falling on the floor. Messy stuff!
cheers
Doug
P.S. I was in a marine store last week buying resin to repair my boat and heard ‘Europa’ playing on the radio. I had to smile.
Lol. I have no idea what you people are talking about.
Ummm…I think I made a wrong turn back there at that last internet off-ramp…
Been lurking for a long time, but I must let you know that the whole boat business has got me really excited. She is beautiful.
I live in Iceland. Any idea how many boats I can get my hands on for less than a ’92 Ford Fiesta? Lots.
Somebody stop me….:-)
Hey cyberyukon, are you the sort of person who starts reading
You’ve tuned in to the blog a bit tardily,
a book from the middle?
my friend. I mean, there you are, intending to read a musician’s
blog, and here’s all this stuff about boats and orchids and whatnot…
I personally just try to have a bit of fun whenever I can, and we’re
all just along for the ride, I guess.
Peace and big plans,
Kara, disguising my razor wit under silliness…if I had a nickel for
all the things I *don’t* say, I’d have at least a dollar. Wink.
Hehe. Polychrest sounds like something Korg might have made sometime around 1985.
If it’s an O’Brian word, I vote for “marthambles”.
Lol–I’m just messing around.
I’ve been listening to Thomas’ tunes since 1982. Even have a copy of his VHS music video anthology “The Golden Age of Video” on the shelf.
Happy boating, TMDR.
If you’re ever in Las Vegas stop by. Bring a few synths along and we’ll party up the joint.
google