Sir Percy

Thanks!

Damn. Forgot to wet down before applying Fertan. Will it still do its magic?

Don't know how else to describe it, really. Engine's in the middle of the boat, and running underneath the propshaft is a length of box section welded to the bottom plate as far as the swim. It does support the prop at one point, but I'm guessing that it's purpose was to stiffen the hull. 1.7 m long, 30 cm wide, 5 cm high. There has been corrosion at one end, and a gap 1.5 cm wide into which I could see a lot of rusty debris. I was able to suck out a fair bit of it with a vacuum cleaner and a bit of pipe. Should I pour in a load of Fertan/Vactan at that end? Drill some holes on top along its length for more application? Any other suggestions? Cheers.

http://www.advancedtechnicalpanels.co.uk/contact-us (Leeds)

From what you've all said, I reckon that my best bet is to go with using a protective layer of primer/paint, then plastic spacers on which to lay my ballast, as it's concrete slabs. I'm thinking that time / movement probably caused the old felt layer to fail. Now that the metal is no longer smooth due to the corrosion, a new layer would be more of a potential water trap. Thanks all.

On excavating down to the bottom of my boat - having taken up the floorboards and removed the ballast (concrete paving slabs), I then had to peel away a nasty, sticky mess of roofing felt. I can understand that it was there to protect the metal against water, but it hadn't - so also had to remove scale rust. Why roofing felt? This isn't a load-bearing material. Should the ballast have been laid differently? Are there any alternatives - like Butyl pond liner? Thanks for looking, appreciate any responses. Bear with me if I need explanation - newbie.

Okay ta...so if it's back to the builder, do I just ask around for recommendations, or are there also trade associations, qualifications, etc.?

I see. So a boat surveyor can operate something like an architect overseeing works on your house?

Well spotted! There's also the licence in the porthole if you can zoom in on it...!

Hello again, Responses to my first post 'Restoring a boat (1): Plans' make me think that there's something I should have asked about first - how to go about engaging a boatbuilder to do the work. Any tips/advice? Cheers, P

Oops. 40', not 30'. It's on there: SIR PERCY Built by OTHER - Length 12.192 metres (40 feet ) - Beam 2.07 metres (6 feet 9 inches ) - Draft 0.01 metres ( ) Metal hull, power of 35 BHP. Registered with British Waterways number 74898 as a Powered. Last registration recorded on 20-Apr-2012.

Hi again, Thanks for the responses. Just to back over the original post, I'm based in London and have already spoken to a local boatyard (Oliver's - http://www.msomarine.co.uk/) to get an estimate for replacing the back cabin. I showed them photos, and they asked me if I could get them some drawings of what I wanted (where the windows, flues need to go, etc.). Thought I'd get some plams drawn up (which I could then take round to other yards as well), but from what you guys are saying, maybe I should just go back to the yard with some freehand sketches and talk over the design (all I want is a copy in steel, really) with them...? Anyway I still haven't found out how to attach photos, so have uploaded them to a host site:

Hi, I'm not on board at the moment so don't need to be on it, but am intending to do it Johnny Cash-style. Starting with the boatman's cabin as that needs attention firstmost. Can add photos, but can't figure out how to insert in post. 30', trad, boatman's cabin, engine in middle section, 'A-frame' Yep, old working boat (style). Unsure of history, or of maker. Just want cabin copied in steel, really. Don't think it has been shortened. Have found a yard to do the work (West London), but need to get plans drawn up for them to do the work from.

Hi Chris, The boat and myself are both in London. Cheers, P

Hi Everyone, Another would-be boater with a 'project'...! I'm starting out on a boat restoration, the first part of which will be to scrap the old woodentop back cabin and rebuild in steel. It's a fairly small boat (30') and also, the engine sits in the middle of the boat with control linkages running up and across the top of the cabin to the back, so I don't intend to change the layout dramatically. The exterior is pretty badly rotted so I think the way to go for me is to replace with steel. I've gone to a boatyard to discuss, and need to go back with some proper plans. Could anyone advise on where/who to go to for getting some drawn up, and any other relevant advice? Many Thanks, Percy