shaun.mack

website up-dated to include photo's of original "For Sale" advert from the 1970's. Interesting reading also comments from Keith Paradise who remebers Friday being built. If anyone wants to know more about the keays boat yard this is the guy to talk too.

Hi Andy Yep, it certainly was and there were times when i couldnt see the light at the end of the tunnel. Tried to approach from the perspective of being faced with eating an elephant. Just one bit at a time! Thanks for comments. Regards Shaun

Website updated. Wish is was as easy for me to be.

Thanks for that.

Has anyone got a copy of Februarys Towpath Talk, is so have the noticed a For Sale advert for Friday in the classifieds? Thanks Web-site updated (But Im no expert)

Thanks, your post is really interesting particularly as you have first hand memories of Friday and I hasten to say, really appreciated, however having said that, im not saying that other less favourable posts aren’t. I very much believe that people are entitled to an opinion particularly when I have specifically asked for it. (Only got myself to blame) For me, its all about the tone in which its written, i.e., whether its constructive or unconstructive criticism / feedback and I guess as most will understand, the interruption of such can change depending on ones mood at the time of reading. (Likewise when writing) It’s something that crosses my path on a daily basis being a production manager for an engineering business owned by a large American corporation. (Americans expect and do things differently) and something that I’m fully accustomed to dealing with even if at times it disappoints. Yes, at the time I was new to boating, to be honest; I would say I still am. I invested 2 years of my time, i.e., every weekend, every holiday I was entitled too along with around £15k of capital (Plus the purchase of Friday) not because I wanted to sell and make a profit, but because I wanted to own a narrowboat for years to come that was in some respects unique to most of the boats you see. As for the 5 years, I guess only time will tell, year 1 is fast approaching so 4 to go if the experts are right! (Wonder if a small wager is appropriate as i beg to differ, although agree that some works will need to be carried out, but hey, thats wooden boats isnt it? )

Hi Feel sure I haven’t introduced any voids as the original underside was first planned / sanded flat and any indents were filled with black pudding mix from traditional boat suppliers. Then a layer of coal tar and pitch mixture was applied prior to fitting the over planking. The over planks were then coated in the coal tar and pitch mixture and the two surfaces pressed to one other with hydraulic jacks before the fixings were put in place. For several months prior to this the hull, internally and externally, including the underside had at least 3 coats of industrial solvent based wood preservative (Not your diy stuff) as the last thing I wanted was any reoccurring problems as I intended to keep Friday for many years. However, for various reasons we don’t think narrow boating is for us.

I guess that could of happened Tim, but doubt it, everything looked so original.

Hi Dan Wow, that is old. Re, Knee's. Dont think they have been cut back as everything seemed so original. However, i might be able to shed some light on it thinking about it. Always so difficult to explain in writing though, but here goes. The planks that run the length of Friday stop around 5" from the outer edge (both sides) creating a sort of gully around the outer edge which i presumed was to channel water to the bilge pump. (i put 2 bilge pumps in, one each side of the boat) so the steel knee's are actually fitted to the bottom planks that run across the width, hence maybe why they are short. What do you think? Hi Tim Sorry, maybe some confusion. The orginal bottom was recaulked. i just didnt caulke the oak over planking.

Hi Dan Thanks for you comments. No they werent, this was debated at great length at the time due to how dry the oak was. i was concerned that if i calked them, then as it expanded it might cause them to distort so took the decision not to calke and then if it became a problem i would (Hope that makes sense.) Agree, in hindsight i should of, cant recall why i didnt as i did elsewhere. The steel knees are original. they were fixed to the side planks & bottom with screws. Only around 5" long on the part that fixed to the bottom. These are also welded to the steelwork and then bolted through the side planks. The plank that runs around the interior had small sections cut out to allow the knees to go back in. (Although not cut all the way through and then steel plates were bolted over them. (got photos somewhere, just need to find them) There wasnt a keelson just a few timbers that the ply floor sat on. (another reason for me putting the steel in. Not sure how other wooden boats are constructed but Friday has what i call the bottom planks, running across the width of the boat,(Not including the new layer ive fitted) then another set of planks running the length of the boat. Then the new steelwork. (Hope that makes sense?) Is yours a leisure craft Dan? Thanks

Hi, Steel was put inside as i hoped that it would give me the option to go into dry docks when required rather than a slipway.From what im told the piller spacings are designed for steel boats (understandably) and a wooden boat might flex and open joint ups. (not good) I didnt think the bottom planks were rotten, it was just that they had worn thin on the ends. (Plenty of evidence of water erosion) originally they were 2" / 2.5" thick. Hence why i decided not to replace the entire bottom but over plank with 1" oakand i thought it would provide further rigidity Point of interest is that the boat was out of the water for 2 whole years and really dried out and i think this is reflected in the photos where cracks opened up etc.

Yes it is.

Website narrowboatfriday.simplesite.com

Thank you. Yep, understand why people have reservations. Think Friday's shape would be worth copying in steel as its so unique