Progress continues

Up to Crick again today, much better journey than we anticipated though as it was very foggy when we left but was pretty clear all the way.

We had a meeting with the cratch cover manufacturer on site to sort out exactly how we wanted it zipped so that Sarah could have easy access to the grab handles we have had built in to hopefully ensure she doesn't end up falling in again! That went well and then we went through the boat being delighted to see the worktops in, the stove installed, and the hot water tank in situ.

We sorted out a few minor points making sure that the dogs food bin fitted where we hoped and that there was a home for Sarahs sewing machine and then left David to it.

Amazingly there will only perhaps be a couple of more visits before she gets launched in mid January (weather permitting.) After launch there will still be work to do as David doesn't fit the floor till she is afloat so that he can easily adjust the trim if necessary. Then it will be off to the paintshop at Depdale which I have offered to help David with - should be fun - 7 hours on the boat in late January!!

Getting closer!

We now have an estimated launch date of mid January! Its booked to go to the paintshop then so its a fairly definite target for David to aim for.

Progress continues to be good. The shower is in and tiled, the washbasin after much deliberation on height - due to the washing machine now being underneath - is sited, my desk is built, the kitchen and units are ready for the worktops and the tiles have been laid in the hearth for the stove. We've delivered the TV and ordered the brass tunnel light and horn and been up to Yorkshire to test drive the mattresses and got that on order, the cratch maker is coming on our next visit to measure up, wow its all coming together!(The photos were taken before our latest visit)

On a downside the marina we had planned to go to - Barby - is still nowhere near completion and from reports we read on line is unlikely to be under the present owners. No power is yet laid on and given the distance from the road its unlikely to cost less than a six figure sum and apparently the owner has been telling people thats not a problem as he's going to build a wind farm - the only snag with that is that he doesn't have planning pemission!

So anyway rather than getting stressed about it we have been to view Yelvetoft marina and it looks ideal. There is a  nice couple running it, plenty of space within the marina, great facilities and a lovely atmosphere, so another reason to say roll on February!

Further Progress

On our latest visit to Crick to see the progress on Hoddies build we were delighted to see the interior coming along and bulkheads in place that gave us a much better idea of the layout we were going to end up with, and very pleased we were with the result. Two slight hiccups neither the fault of our boat fitter but of manufacturers! One, the washing machine, which we were squeezing into a corner of our utility room apparently is only manufactured with a right hinged door which would have meant leaning over it to get to the washing - totally impractical. The problem was that that corner was the only place it would fit due to the swim making the opposite corner a non starter. After much deliberation we thought "outside the box" and moved the washing machine into the bathroom and tucked it under the vanity unit holding the wash hand basin

The other problem was with the freezer which we had chosen to be slid under the raised area of the dinette. Unfortunately its no longer made but the manufacturers tell us that there is a new one shortly to be released and at the time of writing we eagerly await details to see if it will fit. If not, back to the drawing board again.

The other change to plan is down to us in that we had originally designed the saloon around our old sofa which we dearly wanted to go into the boat as it is so comfortable and not only us but the dogs love it too. Unfortunately one measurement we hadn't taken into account was the internal height of the gunnel from floor level and this is about an inch too shallow to take the sofa. Also on getting it out of store and putting it together again to check the measurements we have decided that its perhaps a little shabby and would spoil the gleaming look of our new boat! So we are going for a built in unit which will have the added advantage of giving us more storage space and we plan to meet a designer at the boat on our next visit to discuss it in detail

Visit 15 August

Its 3 weeks since we went up to see progress and were very pleasantly surprised by what we saw. The engine is in and mounted, the water tank and holding tank are in, the electrical wiring is all in place and the portholes are in and two bulkheads as well as the rear doors and floor over the engine are in place. Hey we could be sailing away in her in a week or so!!! (I think perhaps that's a little optimistic especially as David is going on holiday for a fortnight. How dare he!) But she is now beginning to come together and the excitement is certainly mounting.

 Below: Sarah and David discuss the siting of the built in vacuum cleaner

Latest visit

This post is a bit late as we went up to see Hoddie on 25 July.

As you will see from the photos she has had her engine installed and been sprayed with insulation. We spent a considerable time with David discussing the electrics and where we wanted power points, switches etc and left him with the task of installing them all!

The portholes were also fitted and a first glimpse of the woodwork with a window frame ready to go in

Visiting the workshop

As mentioned in our previous post unfortunately we were unable to see Hoddy delivered to the workshop but went up there earlier this week to see her for the first time where she will spend the next 6 months being fitted out. When we left her before she had no roof so it was exciting to see her hull and superstructure complete. Being totally empty inside gave a great sense of space and distance. Lurking inside we found the engine and water tank and holding tank all ready to be installed. The day following our visit she was due to be spray foamed so everything was covered and blocked up ready.

We discussed a few minor details with David and then went on to see how the marina build was progressing at Barby where she will be moored. Barby is now full of water and the jetty piles are all in. The owners are hoping to be open by the end of the month but I think that a tad optimistic. In the photos I've marked the mooring spot that we have reserved.

One really interesting point was the footbridge they are building to the island and its being done in the old fashioned way with a former of wood and then the bricks being laid on that. We think it will look incredibly smart when finished and its good to see that attention to detail.

Into the workshop!

We could not get to Crick to see tha actual arrival of 'Hoddie' so these pictures were very kindly sent to us by David and Jackie of D & J Narrowboats.