Hull Blacking.

On Wednesday 23^rd I moved from Far Coton back up the Ashby canal to moor up outside the Ashby Canal Centre ready for taking the boat in on Thursday. I went in and asked about the arrangements and everything was set for the next morning around 9am.

At 9:30 having not heard anything I went back in to find them busy shifting a couple of boats to clear the slipway for me, they asked me to reverse the boat in, if possible, but if not come in forwards and turn the boat once in, not wishing to appear incompetent and reasonably happy to accept the challenge I reversed in, it went well and I was guided onto the dolly’s with instructions from Nigel, the boss, and then slowly Quinquireme was pulled up onto the slipway with me stepping off to take a few pictures.

My view as the bow started to rise up clear of the water, weird feeling.

Almost out

My location for the next few days

Before starting any work.

View from on high.

The original survey had shown there was some wear to the chine, this is the projection of the base plate past the hull sides which protect the welds from wear when the boat rubs along hard surfaces usually at its mooring, a chat with Nigel and we decided to weld a new section about a metre long to the area showing the wear, this is quite a usual repair method.

Prior to repair, the worn area is from the vertical weld to the start of the curve

Steel strip welded in place

All finished

The hull was pressure jetted and scraped off  then once dry one coat of blacking, Intertuf, was applied, allowed to dry overnight and the second coat applied on Friday, it was then necessary to allow it to harden during Friday afternoon and Saturday.

Pressure jet washing done

Before and after pressure jet washing

And after blacking

The grey blobs are sacrificial anodes which protect the hull from
 galvanic corrosion by sacrificing themselves,
they are replaced whenever necessary.

This morning, at my request, Nigel's son opened up especially to re-float me and see me on my way, all in all a very painless operation and from my research on prices very reasonable as well, it was very lucky for me that I was able to fit into this cancellation slot in their diary as after this their slipway is booked until the end of July.
So at 8:30 I was back in the water and heading off, but not before allowing a boat to pass before I could exit and then waiting for another boat coming through the next bridge as soon as I had straightened up, where did they come from at 8:30 on Easter Sunday  J

It was bright for the first hour or so as I made my way back along the Ashby passing Hinckley yet again but the clouds came out and it was decidedly chilly with the occasional shower. Quite a few boats on the move as Easter signals the start of the holiday hires season.

All went smoothly until I reached Marston Junction, an acute left turn, initially blind as you pass beneath the bridge, I sounded my horn and managed to make the turn quite well despite the wind, there is another blind bridge as soon as you have straightened up, so again a long blast on the horn, no response so I proceeded only to meet an oncoming boat in the bridge hole, both into reverse to stop, the lady did not seem to want to give way to me so I reversed back further, by now another boat was making the turn from the Ashby to the Coventry as I had done, so he had to hold station mid turn, and I had to take care not to reverse into him, but all was soon sorted and on we went, I don't know why the lady had not acknowledged my warning blast, either she didn't hear or didn't know what it meant, frustrating but no loss of life J

Passing the very weird but amusing gardens at Charity Wharf.

And then mooring up for the day not long after, the forcast tomorrow looks bleak but I will see how it goes.
I am  continuing along the Coventry to Hawkesbury Junction where I will re-join the Oxford Canal North Section, skirting Braunston and heading to Calcutt Boats.

Tonights mooring





Totals today: 10 miles