HOLIDAY TIME IS UPON US

Shipwright Dave is taking some time to go sailing and climbing for a few weeks so Helen II will be on hold. 

Recently, Dave cut and welded the front piece of metal called  "the gammon iron".This is heavily bolted to the bow and will hold the bowsprit.This is the round piece of wood just to the right of it in the right hand picture.The bowsprit is slid out about 12 feet and will hold the forward sails.


 

This shows the bowsprit hoisted out in a picture of Helen II taken thirty years ago when she was working. 


Thanks to the effort  of Barry our fabricator from Penmaenmawr ,Dave has set the chain plates in position ready for fixing after drilling.
These will hold up  rigging to steady the mast.

Wednesday Phil has been varnishing the cabin using this stuff. I have to say it is really easy to

apply" any fool can do it" as Dave keeps telling me !

Once D1 is brushed on and has dried , D2 is then used to give the lovely finish.












So as we close for a break,
Wednesday Phil has left his trusty guard dog  FANG to keep watch and hopefully continue to encourage donations in our absence.

There is nothing like emotional blackmail to swell the coffers !!!!
Happy hols Dave.