If you have followed this blog for any time you will have noticed two blank periods for each of the last few years. April was another of those with Helen and I spending almost 4 weeks in France working in a team of “benevoles” getting a campsite set up ready for their season. That is… Continue reading April and May 2026
March 2026 Re-launch for the new season.
4th March I managed to get some boat work done today but first I had to buy another can of antifouling. There were a few barnacles left on the hull from the initial scrape but those came off easily. After a brief sand to key the surface, I started to apply the old can of antifoul… Continue reading March 2026 Re-launch for the new season.
February 2026 Working on the Balcony, mast crane barge and even some work on my own boat.
Sunday 1st February Today I have managed to do two coats of wood oil on the second side of the second door. I will need more oil before I can do the third door but I should have enough to do the first side tomorrow while I wait for the second tin. 2nd … Continue reading February 2026 Working on the Balcony, mast crane barge and even some work on my own boat.
January 2026 Starting pre-launch preparations. Or more realistically – “Progress with the mast crane barge and clubhouse balcony.”
There is quite a long list of jobs to do before lifting Rathenice back into the lagoon including the following – Varnishing the new woodwork around the cabin entrance. Varnish cockpit locker lids & Washboards Finish insulating the ice box. Upgrade cabin seat cushions Over run timings for bilge drier pumps. Replace thimbles in halyards… Continue reading January 2026 Starting pre-launch preparations. Or more realistically – “Progress with the mast crane barge and clubhouse balcony.”
December 2025
There was no boat work achieved this month as we are going on a cruise to the Canary Islands for 12 days and then spending Christmas in Birmingham looking after Helen’s parents.
November Working on the new balcony at the sailing club and also doing some work on my own boat.
Thursday 6th 9:30 start on cleaning up the metal components that will become the balcony at the sailing club. There is a reasonably big team this morning which is a good thing as there are a lot of individual pieces to wire brush all over. These have already been shot blasted but need a… Continue reading November Working on the new balcony at the sailing club and also doing some work on my own boat.
October 2025 Lift out and starting the layup jobs.
Sunday 5th I was at the sailing club for 8:30 this morning to load up all the equipment for lowering my mast. Karl had taken the outboard battery home so I loaded everything into his tender and launched it before going to help getting the lines across under Nick’s boat. These lines will be used… Continue reading October 2025 Lift out and starting the layup jobs.
August and September 2025 – Work on the extension and another trip to France.
Saturday 23rd The last 5 weeks have been very productive but unfortunately August has not included any time to go out on the boat so far. This evening we moved the lounge furniture into the extension as we are about to start using the new kitchen properly. There are still a few jobs before I… Continue reading August and September 2025 – Work on the extension and another trip to France.
July 2025 Engine test run inside the harbour and two days racing at the club regatta.
Sunday 6th July We didn’t go to church this morning because Helen is not feeling well. That meant I got the opportunity to go to the boat and work on the engines. The outboard motor took quite a bit of priming before it would start. That was not really all that surprising as the fuel… Continue reading July 2025 Engine test run inside the harbour and two days racing at the club regatta.
June 2025 Work on the outboard engine, VHF radio training and a club rally to Christchurch.
4th June Today I intended to fit the new fuel pump on the outboard. It was rather a windy row out to the boat with a significant cross wind component as I went along the channel but otherwise not a difficult trip out. The stern mooring strop was wrapped round the rudder again so my… Continue reading June 2025 Work on the outboard engine, VHF radio training and a club rally to Christchurch.