New Deck Planks

Winter Work

The winter covers have now been fitted with the forward section temporarily fitted to allow easy access to the forward deck. The first of the rotten deck planks have been removed, replaced, seams caulked and then sealed with stockholm tar. Three down, lots more to go.

Winter Cover

Sweeps, Alternative Use.

The list of things to do seems to be growing by the day and the removal of the center sections of the bulwarks presented a problem when trying to fit the winter covers. This has been solved with the lashing of the sweeps to the remaining bulwarks to bridge the gaps and then lashing the cover frame to the sweeps. It doesn't look pretty but seems to work!

Nancy Belle.

Nancy Belle has been moved to the bottom of the boat shed slipway, ready to be moved to the top and then covered for the winter.

Cut Up.

Missing Bits.

Winter work is now in full swing with Shaune and John removing the cargo winch, bilge pump and chain winch enabling better access to the deck planks. The boat shed is now beginning to fill up! 

There Goes Another Tree!

While removing the existing caulking from around the main hatch coaming the bottom of the forward section was found to be rotten. This section has now been removed, with the aid of a chain saw, large hammers and some wedges. 

Now The Work Starts!

Big Hammers

Despite all the rain and wind a start has been made on this winters plan of replacing any rotten deck planks and completely re-caulking the deck. Skipper Shaune and Shipwright John have made a good start by removing both center sections of bulwark and the botton plank on the remaining sections.

Wet Neck

She has also had her bottom jet washed and is now all ready for a coat of paint in the new year. Looks a bit different from last week!

Haul Out Day

13th November 2012

The slipway was hosed down, the cradle rolled into position, Shamrock manually hauled over and mored into position on the late afternoon tide, with gusts of wind arriving just at the wrong time.

14th November 2012

Arrived this morning to find Shamrock settled on the cradle and the sun starting to come out.
Hauled up the slipway and the cradle locked into it's winter position late morning. Block's shores, wedges and a big hammer where then used to support the hull and rudder at various points. The anchor was then removed.

Shamrock is now well and truly beached for the winter and over the next few weeks the winter covers should be fitted.

De-Masted.

The weather was kind (no rain or wind) and the de-rigging of Shamrock continues with the lowering of both mast's. She's beginning to look a bit sparse!

Winter Preparations.

This is the time of year when the sails, rigging, mizen mast and spars are removed to the boat shed for the winter. The main mast has to be lowered to act as the support for the winter cover.

The slipway still need's to be cleared of mud, although this will not be done until a day or so before haul out day.

Haul out is planed for mid morning the 14th November so the cradle will need to be lowered into position during the 13th and the Shamrock floated onto the cradle on the late afternoon tide.