WORK COMMENCES AGAIN AFTER 6 WEEKS OFF.

Funds are now in place to continue the build from where we left off. We began with a productive meeting to plan the next few weeks.
Shipwright Dave began fairing in (shaping) the supports of the cabin roof .

 This takes a good eye and a lot of weighing up !














 Wednesday Phil went into artistic mode but he only had grey paint to be creative with.

It's good to be back.

                                  Tony Mead      Lt Cdr R.N.(Ret)

Tony Mead, one of the main drivers of the Helen II project, has sadly resigned from the board of trustees as he has moved to Brittany !
Tony was responsible for the day to day management of the build and his knowledge of wooden boat design was excellent.
The team wish him a happy and enjoyable " retirement francaise" and thank him for his total commitment to the project.
We will see him again at the Helen II launch . Keep smiling !!!

CABIN SIDES CONTINUE   

 This is how the day began on perhaps the coldest day this winter.
We were all warmly wrapped up.

 
   Apprentice Dave prepared the starboard (right) rear, cabin corner post.He cut the rebate (groove) which the cabin side will sit in 

 

and tried it for fit.........perfect......eventually !

 







This was then clamped in position. Note the support prop in place to keep the corner upright.

 The adjoining cabin plank is "first fitted" (temporarily ) in the rebate and clamped.

 The aft cabin sides are now in place  and the posts to frame the entry into the cabin can be made.

 Shipwright Dave begins their creation  from a 3 meter length of iroko,
which is cut to size, planed and a rebate added.

Today's final picture shows the port (left) post in place and Apprentice Dave  trying to keep up on the starboard post !!!!!!


On Thursday the upright boards will be cut off and shaped to create the gentle curve of the cabin roof. 
WELL THAT'S WHAT THEY TOLD ME !
 

WORK BEGINS ON THE CABIN BEAMS  13th January

In order to fit the beams for the cabin roof ,first a support to seat the beams on needs to be fixed to the cabin sides.
Here the port  (left) support is screwed and glued in place and the first notch cut to receive the cabin beam.

 The opposite support (right) is treated in the same manner.
Apprentice Dave is finishing off plugging the screw holes ready for Phil to sand down.The iroko dust is very fine and gets everywhere even when using face masks !

 The beam shelves are complete and although not visible,the cabin beams are being prepared out of shot.

Today was the first really cold day with start temperatures of 3 degrees.
Adrian from the saw mill came today to note our wood needs in the near future.He is always positive and helpful !

BACK TO WORK IN THE NEW YEAR  6th January 2016

 Another day at the office as work recommenced on the cabin sides.
In order to bend the top plank to fit snugly on the lower plank, props are used to help make a gentle bend.

 The sides are then secured with screws that are counter sunk to allow wooden plugs to cover them as below.

 
The plugs are drilled from off cuts of iroko by Wednesday Phil.

These are then removed from the off cut and knocked into the hole on top of the screw .The excess is cut off and then sanded down to leave an aesthetically pleasing  finish.

The internal sides of the cabin are then sanded smooth by Phil while apprentice Dave whispers words of encouragement and some others !

 Both Daves turned their attention to the port (left) cabin post .
This was glued and screwed into position.

 Shipwright Dave then began working out the camber (bend ) for the cabin roof beams as each beam becomes shorter as you move towards the bow.






 

AND SO TO CHRISTMAS AND THE CABIN SIDES! 16 th December

 The cabin sides are now being constructed from the iroko we planed down last week. Shipwright Dave is building the port (left) side and apprentice Dave the starboard (right).
After much fitting ,tweeking and refitting, the planks are now being glued and screwed into place. 


 

 
 The cabin is now taking shape .
It is surprising how much space there is inside.

And being our last Wednesday before closing for the holiday, Pat  decided we would have a party on board.
Pat brought meat pies , crackers and hats . Dave produced the chips and salt and vinegar.

Apprentice Dave sat on his own... traumatized  by an horrific apparition.











CHILDREN SHOULD BE SUPERVISED BEFORE VIEWING THE NEXT PHOTO................

Shipwright Dave gave his impression of Hannibal Lecter before gorging on pie ,chips  salt and vinegar.

While Wednesday Phil ,being on a diet to protect his slender physique ,only ate pie and chips!



Whilst enjoying our party, we occasionally popped our heads over the side to surprise passers by causing double takes from the confused visitors.
What fun we had ! 

And due to our considerate natures, we even allowed FANG our guard dog to join in........

Our thanks to Pat and Dave  for the grub!

And as we prepare to close for the holiday, we would like to thank all our sponsors, supporters and friends for their continued support and to  say..........

 

FROM ALL ON THE HELEN II PROJECT

 


 

THE CABIN FRONT BEGINS IN IROKO 2ND NOVEMBER
This week the two Daves have begun the cabin front using the new Iroko timber.

Having made the patterns last week, the wood was cut and then planed in three planks. 
The first plank goes on 







and the corner posts are positioned.. 






In order to join the planks together and make the joints water tight,a rebate (groove) is cut into both planks as below. Dave creates the groove and it will be filled with a thin strip of wood to make a water tight seal when the next plank is pushed tightly on top.
In the final fit these will be glued before fitting.

The three planks are in place for the first fit . Both Daves seemed happy with the result and allowed themselves a smile and a cuppa via Wednesday Phil !

The view from the bow (front) into the inner workings.

The right hand picture is the view from the stern (back) looking forward .






Today, Wednesday  Phil counted the donations money given in the last 10 weeks. The trustees would like to thank all the visitors for their generous gifts
 It keeps us  afloat !