Adding more lights

We needed to replace the original (70’s era) 12v light above the hand basin in the toilet area. It was tricky as we are restricted in the size and also the positioning of the light. It needed to be waterproof as our toilet area is also our shower room and everything gets wet ! It also had to be LED as this light if often used and anything else would drain the batteries. We found a light that met requirements for size and look but needed to be modified to 12v and LED.

Patrick used some impressive skills and patience and a positive outcome….

Adapting and changing plans

The dream is to slowly make our way thorough Europe, along the rives and canals. We plan to enjoy towns and villages and spend time with locals learning about their lives. With the pandemic still having such an impact and everything so unpredictable, we have decided to give it some time to settle down. Instead we will explore all the history and beauty closer to home. We will make our way up the East Coast, spend some time going up the Thames to Oxford and back down. Up the coast and into the Norfolk Broads. We plan to move slowly back down and by May 2023 we will cross over the English Channel and start our European adventure.

Not on the boat, but still doing boat work

Our existing navigation system comprises a compass and a Raymarine ST6000 autopilot !!
Needless to say, this needed to be upgraded. We needed a system that will allow us to use electronic charts, for both UK coast and inland waterways of Europe as well as the coast of the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. We also needed a more effective way to use the autopilot and a safer way to navigate the busy European waterways.

Nothing better than a hot shower

After a long day out on the boat, there is nothing better than a shower. Whether to cool off after a hot day out on the water or to warm up after a freezing cold day. Or even to clean up after a day of grinding, sanding, painting, fitting etc (much of our lives at the moment). The shower on the boat is a pleasure. The only problem is that the water runs directly into the bilges in the forepeak, where we sleep. The bilge pump has to work hard to pump out litres of soapy water and not always successfully. All in all the whole set up is not ideal, especially if we have guests stay on board. So we fitted a sump with pump, replaced the old hoses and had a new shower tray made. Sounds simple, but in true boating fashion - nothing is easy and a day set aside to finish off the engine ended up being a “shower day” - no regrets though !

Deck Problems

We bought Deux Poisson with a vision in mind. Travelling through the canals and rivers of Europe enjoying the scenery and culture (and all that came with it). So we loved the idea of being on the deck (fore and aft) while underway. But this meant doing some hard work to make our vision and dreams come true.

Painting Day and other bits

We took advantage of a beautiful (chilly) spring weekend to do some essential boat work .. another round of deck paint, some electrical testing of the rev counter, fitting boards into the engine bay.

A quick flash-back to the foredeck over the years…. It had slowly deteriorated and all the hard work had paid off.

Replacing old (circa 1970s) mechanical gauges ... nothing is simple !

Patrick replaced the original mechanical pressure gauges (circa 1970) with electric gauges and sensors. Again a simple task proved to be slightly more challenging and Patrick had to source and fit an extension as one of the new sensors wouldn’t fit. But all’s well that ends well and we are looking forward to the electricians returning and connecting this all up to the new panel.

 

Has she sunk???

It feels like months since we have been down to the boat. We are back in ANOTHER lock-down and all the work has stalled. We were halfway through the electrical work and while the engine and tanks are now situated in the engine bay, nothing is connected up. Needless to say, we are desperate to get back to doing the work as the clock is ticking.

Patrick and I decided to get a few quotes for the big jobs which are still to be done. The back deck needs to be completely replaced, although Patrick believes he can do that himself. The whole aft section, which comprises a galley and dining area / guest sleep area needs to be replaced. There are also a number of other fairly big jobs, including a (vital) small bar/drinks area as well as some repairs needed to the ceiling and beams running through the toilet/shower room. This is all beyond our remit. We contacted a few shipwrights to get quotes so we could get an idea of how much these jobs would cost and a timeline for completion. We had one shipbuilder come out to view what we had in mind, while we were down at the boat.

We did a few other small jobs while we were down there.

She's back!!

Finally, after a false start, our sick engine was settled back in her “new” engine bay. All healed up and ready for our adventures planned. We still have a bit to do before she’s ready to go (literally) - connections, fuel, filters, exhaust …… but she’s back and we are thrilled at this huge step.

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