CABIN ROOF IS  MAPPED OUT 25 th November

This week the Daves have created a mock up/ pattern of the cabin sides and roof in ply.

This will form the basis of the patterns for use with the iroko
planks bought last week.
It is great to see the planning moving so well.

A side view of the mock up.






 




 No one could name the rear portion of the cockpit so we all agreed to call it the " whooshy bit "

So the two Daves began creating the side pillars for the cabin using the first pieces of iroko.

THE CABIN SPACE CONTINUES  19th November

After the blast of Abigail closely followed by Barney ,the ship was protected from the gales' full force by the castle walls, so work carried on as normal.

Apprentice Dave made a template for the final bulk head (wall ) and cut the finished piece from 1 inch thick ply and fitted it .This will support the chart table and beneath it the sink.

Shipwright Dave cut out and fitted the mast hole which will take a mast of 10 inch diameter.
( a telegraph pole is 8 inches in diameter ) 

 

 As the Iroko timber has arrived from Anglesey, Dave began to map out the cabin sides in ply


 

and then went walkabout to view the proportions from a distance.

He seemed quite pleased with the result but I dare say there will be many inputs before final design is implemented.
The temperature begins to fall and a chill is in the air but Pat arrived with cake and that spurred us onward !

Big Blow Expected- Abigail   11th November

Because a storm is forecast for Friday, the annual boat" lift out" has been brought forward a day and started today, which took most owners by surprise.A number of skippers visited us in the hope of gaining wedges and props which we supplied for a donation ! Then one person asked if we could supply  4" x 4" sections so we told him him NO or words of similar meaning.

But the work continues on Helen II.

Apprentice Dave shows the art of Limbo dancing within the confines of  the forward bunk area he is building.This picture  shows the initial frame to support bunk 1.

The whole forward section is looking great !
I almost booked a berth in advance.
The white area will accommodate the toilet ( heads ) ,so any booking by me may need further consideration and distance !

Meanwhile shipwright Dave uses an adze for shaping a chunk of oak for the mast step .

Work suddenly halted this afternoon at 2-00 pm as the Daves went to Anglesey  to view and order wood for the cabin construction and Wednesday Phil went to a trustees' meeting.

The Bunks Are Going Well      4th November 2015

 Shipwright Dave continues to work in the saloon creating slatted bunks. This will allow air to flow beneath them to prevent condensation and rot.

 

Dave prepares the port saloon locker above the bunk.

Apprentice Dave develops his love of grey .Having painted his sweater first, he continues the theme in the bow priming all bare wood.

This is today's view towards the stern (back) showing Dave's preferred colour scheme !

Some people ask," how come you still volunteer to work on Helen II ?"
I'll let tonight's picture at 4-45 pm explain .......................................

                                                          Enough said !

A GREAT WEEKEND WAS HAD BY ALL.....24-25th October 2015

The Conwy Feast proved a great opportunity to show off Helen II

Trustee Murray wowed the visitors with magical knots while shipwright Dave showed the guests the doings in the boat.All the volunteers took time to participate in the week end and we raised over £250 in funds.Many thanks to all who continue to support us !
When we had time off we went to view the stands and exhibits and to our pleasure Adrian our saw mill supplier was in show.

His wood work is an art form in itself !
When I asked what the construction was, he laughed and said it's  an dino kennel !
"What a daft idea !" I said ."What would live in a kennel like that ?  

You get all sorts at the Conwy Feast !

Meanwhile back to this week's  continued work. Both Daves are now focused on creating the bunks in the forward and central sections. Once mapped out, the designs need testing again for fitness of purpose.

Wednesday Phil unselfishly volunteers for this task once he has elbowed all rivals out of the way !

Apprentice Dave helped put him at ease with a lovely bedtime story about Viking burial rituals .
But we were all stopped in our tracks by billowing smoke from Deganwy and sirens.

With both Daves now working speedily, Wednesday Phil ,after suitable training ,supports by supplying the required wood for each task with a smile and a swear box.(both of which are hidden !)



And Duncan from  Llandrillo College  continues to home his skills on a boat in the compound which is his sole project.

 

GETTING READY FOR OPEN WEEKEND 24th 25th October 2015

If you are down for the Conwy Feast come and see Helen II for free !

This was the view at 9-00am today.Most of the internal walls (bulk heads ) are in place and work on the bunks has begun.
 
 In the right  photo, the space between the two bulk heads will house the chart table and beneath it the sink.

This is the view towards the bow showing bunks 1,2 and 3.









Volunteer Pat prepares the stern section for the open weekend cleaning and painting exposed wood, but disaster struck when it was discovered Pat had not baked and thus no cake today !

Meanwhile Wednesday Phil and apprentice Dave decided to trial the forward bunks for fitness of purpose.
 Dave was at first a little shy and reticent...so Wednesday Phil explained he was perfectly safe as he wasn't  a young blonde goddess !

Dave said I could relax as I didn't
look a bit like "SKIPPY the bush kangaroo" .

( Dave being an Australian from a very lonely place.)
 Thak goodness he didn't notice my bib pocket !

Shipwright Dave  muttered something and continued work on bunks
 4 and 5 in the main cabin.

At the end of the day, we all relaxed and observed the week's progress with satisfaction.
We are looking forward to showing Helen II to visitors this week end.
All are welcome !

WORK CONTINUES AND THE TRUSTEES CHECK PROGRESS         14th October 2015

This morning's view from the office window. 8-30 am.

The rudder tube has now been drilled and fitted and is ready for the next connections.

 The internal organization  is set out for the trustees to view this afternoon prior to the monthly meeting.

 Apprentice Dave practices skate boarding on a more stable surface since fracturing his arm on his previous outing !

 The view from the bow looking towards the stern as Dave tidies up.

Roy Dennis, in orange ,one of our sponsors and Jim Roddick ,trustee, views the progress of Helen II
 and Jane Roddick makes the final decisions !
They already have their own "Nobby"and gifted Helen II to the trust.

Roy Dennis (left ) Murray Taylor (centre) and Jim Roddick  (in red) discuss ' next steps' prior to the trustees' monthly meeting.
During today's visit they were surprised how many visitors stopped to ask questions about the boat and all joined in imparting knowledge of the build and history of these boats.




It has been agreed that we will have two open days during the Conwy Feast on the 24th -25th of October 9-30am 'till 4-0pm
SO... if you would like an opportunity to view the internal doings and gain a real appreciation of the size of the boat please come along and meet the team.