Woodwork - when does it end?

Buying a classic wooden boat translates down to only two things.... sandpaper and varnish, sand and varnish (and repeat).  Before Deux I thought sandpaper was sandpaper and the stuff in the garage was just a larger version of the nail file next to my bed. And varnish was just the stuff that came in pretty colours and required a steadier hand than I had at the best of times. The varnish Deux required was a boring clear(ish) colour, but the results were beautiful (and also required a steady hand!). The sandpaper was nothing like my nail file and I learnt to start with 80 and work my way to 1200 (something) - will check and update.  It is an ongoing job, but in the meantime... some info on the varnish and some before and after pics

Engines batteries and starter motors

Today would be day 5 (weekend 3) of diesel "de-bugging".  Except Deux was not having any of that! After having run 3 different pumps to pump the diesel through endless filters, the boat batteries have given up.  We charged the batteries overnight and this morning still dead.  Patrick took the starter motor out and jump-started that .....  A little clean up and some TLC and the starter motor went back in, connected up the batteries and we have had success.  She started like a dream.

SO its back to the diesel bug.  No fun in almost 30 degree heat !