It's now just over a year since 'Gina' hit the driveway and it seems the finishing line is now in sight! While the current financial climate dictates that a trailer and engine will have to be deferred until next year, at least that will be a simple 'bolt on and go' job (why don't I quite believe that).
Our brief Indian Summer has allowed us to get the bunks lined with vinyl and to start the interior fit out. The Helm unit is now installed as is the switch panel and passengers grab-handle. The side panels are also now firmly bolted in place, along with the front seats. Sitting in the boat to identify the optimum seating position, it was easy to imagine cutting through the glistening waters of the Italian Riviera towards the twinkling lights of a waterside hostelry - but I digress...
Carpeting the interior is next on the 'to do' list and all materials are to hand, when that is done we will be almost there. The only other job is - yes, you guessed - that wretched screen!
July 2007
September 2008
Screens & Screams
Another half a dozen or so local 'fabricators' have informed me that it is not possible to bend a piece of channel for a screen surround - hey ho, the search continues...
In the meantime I made a decision to install the new screen anyway to prevent it getting further knocked around in the shed. Regular readers will recall that I had a replacement made in Polycarbonate (Lexan) as it will take a cold curve. A helpful CMBA member advised that 'you just start in the middle and work out towards the edges' - accurately finding the middle was a little challenging, but overall the whole process went very smoothly.
Have to shout out a big thanks to my Brother at this juncture - he lives and works in Oman and had dropped in on his way to Paris for a few days R&R - instead, he ended up hanging on spanners, upside down in the fibreglass hot-box in order to help me get the thing on - cheers Jon - hope the subsequent fluid replacement didn't do any lasting damage to the liver!
Next time around I hope to have that carpet down and striping tape and boat names ready to apply!
Our brief Indian Summer has allowed us to get the bunks lined with vinyl and to start the interior fit out. The Helm unit is now installed as is the switch panel and passengers grab-handle. The side panels are also now firmly bolted in place, along with the front seats. Sitting in the boat to identify the optimum seating position, it was easy to imagine cutting through the glistening waters of the Italian Riviera towards the twinkling lights of a waterside hostelry - but I digress...
Carpeting the interior is next on the 'to do' list and all materials are to hand, when that is done we will be almost there. The only other job is - yes, you guessed - that wretched screen!
July 2007
September 2008Screens & Screams
Another half a dozen or so local 'fabricators' have informed me that it is not possible to bend a piece of channel for a screen surround - hey ho, the search continues...
In the meantime I made a decision to install the new screen anyway to prevent it getting further knocked around in the shed. Regular readers will recall that I had a replacement made in Polycarbonate (Lexan) as it will take a cold curve. A helpful CMBA member advised that 'you just start in the middle and work out towards the edges' - accurately finding the middle was a little challenging, but overall the whole process went very smoothly.
Have to shout out a big thanks to my Brother at this juncture - he lives and works in Oman and had dropped in on his way to Paris for a few days R&R - instead, he ended up hanging on spanners, upside down in the fibreglass hot-box in order to help me get the thing on - cheers Jon - hope the subsequent fluid replacement didn't do any lasting damage to the liver!
Next time around I hope to have that carpet down and striping tape and boat names ready to apply!
