HERE'S WHERE YOU COME IN --- HOPEFULLY !

If you have enjoyed our weekly blog on Helen II or eagerly await each weeks ramblings to hit your screen ,you can help keep the project alive with modern technology.
We have now created a donations gizmo to allow our followers to donate painlessly from the comfort of their armchairs via a 'phone text message.

I have no idea how it works,but you can test the system yourself to check it does !

SO WHY HAVE WE DONE THIS ?
   1. We are sadly short of funds and every donation helps keep us afloat.(see how I did that ?)
   2.We tend to get small change in the collection buoy and I have to count it.It takes ages !
          By this extra method I hope we can get donations rounded to pounds.
   3. I have little use for zlotys, euros or steel washers.

So if you want to help us easily and hygienically please bang away on the buttons and give as you see fit !     
         End of slick begging advert.

Today shipwright Dave finished one half plank for the port (left ) side and made a  pattern for another .Wednesday Phil began the task of sanding down the starboard (right) side of the hull to give the planks a smooth finish. All the visitors stopped to admire our handy work whilst visiting a Celtic Fair on the Quay .
 
Our work was sadly hampered by the arrival of Robin Leach a director working for BBC 2 who thinks the project may be included in a program on T.V.
The fight for control of the mirror was unseemly......
Wednesday Phil gave a rousing rendition of " alas poor Yorick I knew him well !"
whilst keeping a vice like grip on the comb.
Shipwright Dave grinned for the camera !

  THE PORT SIDE PLANKING CONTINUES 20 th May


Shipwright Dave continued adding another half plank to the port (left ) side of the hull and created a pattern for the next bow section.


Meanwhile apprentice Dave worked on the lower hull working upwards to meet with shipwright Dave at the stop plank (closing,final plank )

But apprentice Dave had to leave at 10 am for an exam on " The Principles of Boat Building Technology".
When he returned ,he announced, he scored 87.5 % in the test. We pointed out he was 2.5% down on the previous sitting not to mention half a plank down on the day !
BUT we did congratulate him on his result.

He set to with a will and a big grin and   completed a half plank by Wednesday close.

Tony Mead informed us that a producer from BBC 2 is coming next Wednesday to look at the project .
So Wednesday Phil is off to the shops to purchase an "Elvis" bib and brace overall and some gold rigger gloves......
 not that this will go to his head !

 THE STOP PLANK FINISHES THE STARBOARD SIDE

Due to the arrival of a delivery of new larch slabs , shipwright Dave was able to continue with the final quarter of the stop plank which closes the planking gap on the starboard (right) side.
 
Now this side's planking is complete !

All the visitors who passed by yesterday stated the boat now looks like a work of art and the progress was clear.

One quote was "Isn't that beautiful.Just look at the sleek lines and the streamlined shape !"

I thanked him for his comments and then asked him what he thought of the boat.

I believe that got us a generous donation.

Meanwhile apprentice Dave went to Llandrillo college to sit an exam in health and safety in ship building.He came back pleased as punch to announce he scored 90 % in the level 3 exam.

After questioning by shipwright Dave and I, we were all unsure as to what this exam was a part of  and indeed  how many parts were involved in obtaining a complete  level 3.We decided not to ask how many levels come after level 3 as confusion threatened to set in !

But congratulations anyway ! 

Apprentice Dave then got back to work butt jointing (joining ) the sections of the final plank together--- as described previously.

And volunteer Pat brought two of her friends to see the boat and explain her work in the scheme of things ....

BUT most importantly she brought cake  !!!!!!  

Cheers Pat.

Wednesday Phil then had to go and stand in the naughty corner as, while cutting  a plank of oak,,the band saw blade broke with a loud report and sparks which almost made me give a similar  donation to the project !

Shipwright Dave just grinned........

CHOOSING LARCH PLANKS FOR HELEN II FROM THE VERY START.....
Today we went to choose suitable planks from the saw mill..

First Adrian the saw mill owner visited the standing (growing ) larch forest at Bodnant Gardens with shipwright Dave. They chose individual trees which were to be felled soon .They tried to select trees which would have only a few knots and looked strong.

These were then felled, trimmed and cut into 26 or 20 foot lengths and delivered to Adrian's saw yard.

Each tree trunk was then checked for signs of rot or damage during growth and the best specimen chosen for action.








The trunk is then lifted from the pile to the saw bench mechanically as most weigh over two tons!

Adrian then takes a first slice to see what  is below the bark and the potential quality of the wood






Once all are satisfied with the quality, the planks can be cut to the required thickness and set aside for delivery to the Helen II compound.
Even with the best experienced eye, some of the trunks prove not suitable for boat planking and have to be rejected due to knots or shakes (splits ) in the wood.Adrian then has to find another use for this wood as it has already been paid for by him.
And finally ,today was shipwright Dave's birthday and apprentice Dave brought him a cake which was shared by all ! 
I love a happy ending................................................................................. and cake

DUNCAN MAKES HIS FIRST PLANK                 16th April 2015

 This was the view of the boat today as we wait for  a new delivery of larch slabs. We still await a wide enough plank to create the starboard stop plank.

 

So shipwright Dave decided to let Duncan, our Thursday volunteer, try to make a plank all by himself for the port (left) side .Duncan is at present doing a course on Marine Design at Llandrillo College.

Duncan set to with great enthusiasm and using what he had learnt working on the project with the two Daves and specific tips and advice from shipwright Dave, he managed to fit his first ever plank snugly.

He was that chuffed, he is to ask the college if he can do a practical day a week on Helen II after completion of this year's exams. 

This boat has a special effect on all who work on her !

 

CONNECTING THE PLANKS                 1st April  2015
While shipwright Dave continued planking the port (left ) side ,apprentice Dave and Wednesday Phil began joining plank ends together

First a block of wood which fits between the frames (ribs) is measured so that it fits in the gap and overlaps one inch above and below the planks to be joined. This allows the planks to be  pulled into line with the neighbouring ones.









Holes are then drilled through the plank and block. To do this I held the block and Dave drilled from the outside with the comforting utterance of "trust me ". This I did until Dave became over enthusiastic with the drill depth marker and a little hole appeared within a scream of my fingers .We then modified our technique and I increased my accident payout sums.

Six bolts are inserted and secured tightly once the back of the joining block is smeared with a mixture of red lead and putty which seals any gap behind the block.

This leaves a beautiful,strong and water tight joint.

UPDATES FROM FEBRUARY TO MARCH
Due to a lovely holiday and Talk Talk taking a month to get me back online, I will now  bring you up to speed on the doings at the boat.
Work has continued apace with a single aim of planking the hull.

As we move to the centre planks the patterns become bendier  and it becomes more difficult to find a slab which can fit the pattern.


The side view on
 February 16 th

By 16 th March, with all hands working, we are close to closing the starboard planking.


Volunteer Pat even came in on her 21 st birthday (that's what she told me ) to epoxy fill the nail holes which seems an endless task.

Obviously we were all hard at work in this action shot with Wednesday Phil and sneaky Dave.

I say sneaky Dave, as if you look at his right hand you will notice he has willfully blown my cover again !

As the patterns become bendier ,we have to flex them (straighten them a bit ) to fit the slab and then once the plank is cut,  twist and flex that with G clamps to make it fit into position on the boat.






Today, 25 th of March ,the final half of the starboard stop plank could not be completed as the bendy pattern will not fit any of the remaining slabs of larch .We are gutted !!!.
We will now have to wait for a new delivery of slabs from Adrian at his Abergele saw mill.