Paul

We've done two weekend's work on CavEmp this spring, and things are moving forwards...

The first was spent cleaning out the boat, emptying 12 bin bags worth and 9 storage boxes of stuff, plus cleaning and tidying. I didn't take any photos, but it's looking a lot better and emptier!



Last weekend, it was finally time to get stuck into the first major work - sorting out the GRP cabin. They suffer from cracks generated by the heat and cold, frost cracking and from impact damage. Creamcheese went through extra GRP reinforcement and then a flowcoat, plus paint on top. This time we'd planned to use a non-slip flowcoat applied neatly as a finish.

Before new stuff can go on, lots of tidying up with the wirebrushes was needed first!

It started off looking a bit like this:



Then comes lots of hard work!

Jo getting stuck in:



Slow progress:



Getting there!



Much better, with extra fibreglass CSM and tissue...





It did have a bit of an effect on my appearance though...



Applying the flowcoat went better this time. On Creamcheese, even in October, the flowcoat had started to go off in only 15 mins, which led to some very fast work getting it applied. This mix seemed to have a slightly longer working time and with two of us working at it, one velour roller and two brushes, we got it applied.



I wasn't that keen on the mid grey but it is growing on me a bit. The non-slip component is very chunky and non-slip - you'd certainly not be falling over on this anytime soon. If it really gets to me, I may paint it a lighter grey over the top, but we'll see.

The good news is that this has firmed the roof up no end, and it's now completely waterproof.

The next weekend's tasks will be more wirebrushing of the gunwales and the counter, sanding and repairing of the handrails and we might be able to get some primer on. I've ordered a tin of RAL5005 blue gloss as an experiment as it's the colour the new boat may be painted in, should be good to experiment with on the gunwales of CavEmp.

The new kitchen units, sink and tap have been ordered and should be here by Easter weekend too, so the old ones need to come out.

All good fun and good progress!



PC

It's finally time...

CavEmp needs to go. Boat three is on the way, and the old faithful home of four years needs to be sold to make space.

Before that can happen, it needs a spruce-up inside and out. Inside, it's mostly a case of woodwork, paint and a bit of plumbing. Outside, the fibreglass cabin needs some serious de-flaking, re-glassing and a flowcoat, then I can get the old girl painted.

She'll never be as shiny and amazing as a new boat, but she should do someone well as an introduction to canal life.

PC

Right - all change in my boaty world.

It's been ages since I updated this blog, and NBCavEmp has been neglected since I moved off her last year, and onto NBCreamCheese (the ex-sunken project).

There's lots going on, and a new boat in build, so I'll be getting back to updating this more regularly...

PC

Right, blimey, it feels like a long while since I've written anything here - at least Ms Creamcheese has been keeping things going.

The news is out, as predicted, and you can discover more of why we've been quiet and busy at:

CreamCheese Blog

Enjoy, and I'll be back soon with a proper update on our plans for BBen/CavEmp, and what's happened since September!

PC