Friday, 28 October 2016


THE DECK GLASSING IS COMPLETED with six inches spare.


With all three of us working together the fibre glassing moved on apace and shipwright Dave's calculations of the amount needed was spot on with six inches to spare.
Wednesday Phil was relieved and impressed at this.
Shipwright Dave was relieved and secretly stunned.
Apprentice Dave was stunned and secretly relieved  himself.


When he returned he seemed to take a turn for the worst 'giggling and muttering to Helen II.( click on the picture for the full grim look.)

 Mike  Fox, our marine surveyor, came today to see the build to date and to advise us on requirements to achieve our required certification in the future.
He proved extremely helpful and supportive of the build thus far. 








As we are due students from Llandrillo College soon and we are unclear what they are meant to be learning on their visit ,

Wednesday Phil began to prepare some planking sections so the students will be able to practice caulking before being let loose on Helen II .
Hopefully the college will let us know the work schedules
prior to the week of work !!! 




These were the final views on Wednesday evening.

Sunday, 23 October 2016



OPEN DAY SATURDAY DURING CONWY FEAST.
Sorry to those who came on Sunday hoping to visit us, but we were short of volunteers.
Saturday was a busy day with many visitors to Conwy and Helen II.
Conwy Feast was blessed with excellent weather which helps.




"Murray the Knot" held court to attract visitors into the compound and Wednesday Phil gave demonstrations of caulking before taking visitors up top to see progress. All were surprised at not only progress but the amount of space within Helen II.
They were further amazed at the skill with which Murray extracted willing donations before exit.
 


Ship wright Dave came to help open up and close on Saturday.
Previously he completed the 'glassing of the bow.
Thanks to all visitors who came to see Helen II and many thanks to all who donated .
My thanks to all those who give of their time to see the projects continuation !
And finally thanks to Conwy Mussels for my tea.


Wednesday, 12 October 2016


DECKING CONTINUES AS THE RUDDER TAKES SHAPE.

Preparations get underway for the Conwy Feast on 22nd and 23 rd of October.Over the two days we will open Helen II to the public.





 
Shipwright Dave continues on the rudder construction making the shoe at the bottom of the keel for the post to sit on . This will be welded when finished .



Both Daves continue to lay the plywood deck and glass it for total waterproofing.



Apprentice Dave marks up where the beams are on the underside of a deck sheet.
Usually when Wednesday Phil is in such an awkward space  ,much grunting, groaning and twisting takes place, but when Dave was here he was very still and a snoring noise was heard.










Finally the sheet was removed
 and holes drilled for the screws.



 Wednesday Phil was back on caulking AGAIN but some joints were so tight the cotton would not go in, so the gap was enlarged to allow the caulking into the space.Dave is widening the gap with a crafty mini saw.





The views fore and aft of the deck at the end of the day.