Marcus Warry

Hello Everyone, Remember when Fairst sunk in the SUmmer of 2014.. and how many of you amazingly offered so much support, encouragement and help on this forum, and in person (the plum cake was my favorite contribution!!) I thought you might like an update on the project! And I'm afraid I also need to appeal for you help - once again!! My old WW2 ship, Lady Doris (formerly Fairstar!) is appearing on a well know TV programme (not allowed to say!!), and I have to get her ready for June 23rd, when they are coming to film the reveal!! I've launched a crowdfunding campaign for SUPPORTERS, VOLUNTEERS & for CASH, so I can meet this deadline (there are lots of rewards like Lady Doris Deckhand Mugs & T-Shirts, Invites to Summer Parties, and larger Hen/Stag parties & Corporate events all on the unique & historic Lady Doris! The deadline is getting super tight! Please watch my video on my project page, as it explains it all a bit better (hopefully you'll find it quite humorous too!) .. and I'm sorry for taking this liberty of asking for your help AGAIN, but I know you're all lovely, and I very much hope some of you might find this interesting, and maybe even be able to help - even if it's just by sharing my project with your friends?! Lots of love, Marcus xxxxx P.S. You can also follow our mad dash progress by joining our Facebook Group - Just search for "Project Lady Doris" or click here! The TV crew are coming on Saturday 6th June - so if you come on that day, you might even get onto the telly?! You can join the fun in my "Project Lady Doris" group! HERE ARE SOME PICTURES!! Calendar in Lady Doris, showing the deadline of June 23rd! Less that three weeks to go now! https://www.dropbox.com/sc/4e8uuuu4mznrydb/AAA5cgjZWJeIfjF62w8aEJvKa The outside - will hopefully be getting a lick of paint this weekend! https://www.dropbox.com/sc/674p8yphvv9yunk/AABPfQuEIPRnJZ7yrkT3xwL3a The bedroom is starting to look quite nice? Well it's getting there... https://www.dropbox.com/sc/peljgcmz3usak5u/AAAcJl8KmiTA74vBGMnWvH9Ca An evening BBQ, with some of my AMAZING volunteers / Lady Doris Deckhands! https://www.dropbox.com/sc/dgc3kwia6ilzj28/AADVT4CVy4O3yHIt9BcBNWOYa Lady Doris Deckhand T-Shirts, that volunteers get! https://www.dropbox.com/sc/y2vii1i0ra4n18z/AACd2YKjofWvdCBv5lR1XQBia MORE COMING SOON, THE LADY NEEDS ME, SO HEADING THERE RIGHT NOW Please do swing by for a cup of tea, if you're passing! XXXXXX

Hello Everyone, I thought you might like an update on the project! Also, I'm sorry to ask after all your amazing help and support over the last year, but I do urgently need your help please?! My old WW2 ship, Lady Doris is appearing on a well know TV programme (not allowed to say!!), and I have to get her ready for June 23rd, when they are coming to film the reveal!! I've launched a crowdfunding campaign for SUPPORTERS, VOLUNTEERS & for CASH, so I can meet this deadline (there are lots of rewards like Lady Doris Deckhand Mugs & T-Shirts, Invites to Summer Parties, and larger Hen/Stag parties & Corporate events all on the unique & historic Lady Doris! The deadline is getting super tight! Please watch my video on my project page, as it explains it all a bit better (hopefully you'll find it quite humorous too!) .. and I'm sorry for taking this liberty of asking for your help AGAIN, but I know you're all lovely, and I very much hope some of you might find this interesting, and maybe even be able to help - even if it's just by sharing my project with your friends?! Lots of love, Marcus xxxxx Here's the link again!! https://kriticalmass.com/p/projectladydoris You can also follow our mad dash progress by joining our Facebook Group - Just search for "Project Lady Doris" or click here! The TV crew are coming on Saturday 6th June - so if you come on that day, you might even get onto the telly?! You can join the fun in my "Project Lady Doris" group! HERE ARE SOME PICTURES!! Calendar in Lady Doris, showing the deadline of June 23rd! Less that three weeks to go now! https://www.dropbox.com/sc/4e8uuuu4mznrydb/AAA5cgjZWJeIfjF62w8aEJvKa The outside - will hopefully be getting a lick of paint this weekend! https://www.dropbox.com/sc/674p8yphvv9yunk/AABPfQuEIPRnJZ7yrkT3xwL3a The bedroom is starting to look quite nice? Well it's getting there... https://www.dropbox.com/sc/peljgcmz3usak5u/AAAcJl8KmiTA74vBGMnWvH9Ca An evening BBQ, with some of my AMAZING volunteers / Lady Doris Deckhands! https://www.dropbox.com/sc/dgc3kwia6ilzj28/AADVT4CVy4O3yHIt9BcBNWOYa Lady Doris Deckhand T-Shirts, that volunteers get! https://www.dropbox.com/sc/y2vii1i0ra4n18z/AACd2YKjofWvdCBv5lR1XQBia MORE COMING SOON, THE LADY NEEDS ME, SO HEADING THERE RIGHT NOW Please do swing by for a cup of tea, if you're passing! XXXXXX

thanks Tony - will do!!!

Hello Canal World! Some of you may remember by boat (Fairstar, now Lady Doris), sank last Summer. Thanks in a large part to your amazing help & support, she's floating again, and she's doing ok (touch wood!). And now the serious job of restoring her to her former glory is starting in ernest! And I'm afraid I may be a bit of regular around these parts as I ask (hopefully not too man) stupid/novice type questions... The first question I'd like to ask, is what is the best possible action I can take in the bilge/inside of the boat to prevent rot? - She's Larch on Oak construction. - Last out of the water in Winter 2014, When I replaced about 20m or larch, mainly around the stern/transom. - I put in extra ribs where needed. I'm in the process of giving her her a DEEP clean inside, and clearing a huge amount of black oily gunk & sludge from the bilge that's accumulated over many years. I have heard before that this oily gunk can in fact be good for preserving the wood, and stopping rot?! That may or may not be the case.. but regardless of that, it stinks, so I'm planning to get rid of it!! However, what would be the best thing i could do, once it's clean? I've heard the suggestion of linseed oil for example. At least that smells lovely, so quite keen on that idea?! Is that a good idea? I'm also going re-paint the entire inside of the boat (including where practical, in the bilge. I'm planning to use a decent grey primer. I'm assuming that if the wood is "sealed" with a top coat on the inside too, that you're asking for rot issues? Is that correct? What would be the best primer to use please? In the past, I've heard that putting large bags of salt in the bilge can help prevent rot? Is that true/worth doing? She's sat in the non-tidal River Thames at present... The other question I have, is not about prevention of rot, but about stopping the existing rot spreading.. or whether there's even a way of curing it? There are a few bits inside... non structural I hasten to add, that are a bit flaky. I'd like to at the very least, stop the rot spreading any further... and at best cure it, and neaten it up! Any wooden boat / rot experts there? I sure hope so! A pre-emptive thank you for anything you can suggest or advise that would help me to keep this beautiful Lady in tip top condition! All the best, Marcus & Lady Doris!

Hi Bizzard, I rathe rlike that idea actually. It's quite fun taking things back to basics!! I still need to heat the water though... Although, I have a woodburner with a flat top, so I can warm water up in the kettle.. but that's a rather slow way to heat water! Marcus

thank you! I have a petrol powered pressure washer actually... But that won't suit my showering needs.. unless I'm feeling dangerous!!

Richard to the rescue again!! Haha!

Hello! I'm reading lots of old threads about gas water heaters. It's been incredibly useful - thank you everyone, who's already contributed so much to this topic! Sorry, if this has already been addressed somewhere else.. although I couldn't find it.... I'm looking for a quick and cheap way to get hot water please... so i can use the hot water to clean my boat, and have little showers at the end of day of hard toil... She sank last summer, and is still smeared with Mud!! Many of you on this forum were incredibly helpful during that rather sad phase!! I'm still so grateful for all the help and encouragement you gave. I don;t think I'd have been able to get through it without you to be honest! Anway, as a quick fix to getting hot water - would something like this do the trick please? http://www.wayfair.c...tid=91671463572 Are there any safety considerations? Would I be rigth to assume something like this wouldn't be allowed by the Boat Safety Certificate people as a permenant solution?! Can anyone forsee any issues with heating water straght from the Thames?! I mean I'm cool with the cleanliness of the water.. particularly, as I'm primarily using the water to clean a very muddy boat!! But could it cause issues in the heater itself, if not filtered?! When time & more importantly budget allows, I'd like a gas or diesel system that heats water for central heating, and for hot water... In actual fact, I was gutting the boat on Friday, prior to getting stuck in properly, and found a Webasto heater?! A storke of luck I thought... but of course, it was under water for a month.. Any of you genisues think a webasto that's been under water for a month could be made to work again?! Or would it be a waste of time trying, do you think. Thank you!! Marcus x

Hello! I'm reading lots of old threads about gas water heaters. It's incredibly useful - thank you everyone for all you comments! When time & more importantly budget allows, I'd like a gas or diesel system that heats water for central heating, and for hot water... But right now, I'm looking for a quick and cheap way to get hot water... so i can use the hot water to clean the boat, and have little showers at the end of a day of hard graft!! It sank last summer, and is still smeared with Mud!! Many of on tis forum were incredibly helpful during that rather sad phase!! Would something like this do the trick please? http://www.wayfair.co.uk/Eccotemp-Portable-Tankless-Outdoor-Only-Water-Heater-and-Shower-CE-L5-L6482-K~ECCO1000.html?refid=GX51210268343-ECCO1000&device=c&ptid=91671463572 Are there any safety considerations? Would I be rigth to assume something like this wouldn't be allowed by the Boat Safety Certificate people? Thank you!! Marcus

Hello Everyone! Firstly, some rather fun news! Lady Doris & I are going to be on the telly... (on GC's Amazing Spaces, Channel 4). I'll let you know when it's ging to aired.. but not for some time yet, as we have quite a way to go.. in fact, she's still got mud smeared all over the inside! ... But now the weather is warming up a bit, I'm chucking myself back into the project with gusto. I'm afraid I may be on this forum a bit more regularly again, asking for your help and advice! Brace yourselves!! The first BIG thing to tackle is putting in a system that heats the boat, heats the water, and ideally generates electricity too. At the Ecobuild conference (Excel, London), the only thing I found that did all three well, was still in development, and not going to be ready for a few more months! And so I've downgraded my desire to just having a system that heats the boat & water instead! Since posting about this last time, I read all your incredibly useful input, and have been researching and educating myself about the various options out there. I was veering towards Diesel... But now I'm veering towards Gas... One of my primary concerns, as some friends may come & use the boat when I'm not there.. is that the system is super simple & super safe!! Ease at which you can buy fuel is important too (and the cost!).. and the fact that most Petrol Garages sell propane bottles is a plus.. whereas, pootling off to find red diesel, when the boat is mostly stationary, could be come a slight pain. The other thing I want (and this is where I may sound like a slight novice again, so please bear with me!), is for the heating system to work without any Electricity. I have a mid stream mooring, and there is no mains supply. The only way to get 240v would be by using an inverter on my 12v system, and that would RINSE the batteries, which are primarily being topped up with solar (at the moment, looking at other options too). I believe if the system can run off 12v, I'd be fine... The reason why I want the system to be on standby, when I'm not in the boat, is so I can turn it on remotely, using one of these clever systems I saw at ecobuild: www.cimote.com - this would also enable me to control the thermostat remotely too... quite snazzy... but also super handy in winter of course, when I can turn it on 30 mins before I arrive! FYI, this climote gadget doesn't require Wifi.. it actually has a sim card in it.. so you can text it your instructions - neat eh? Other things I'm stil deliberating! 1 - Whether I can "easily" turn Thames water into water I can use for the heating system & for showers etc. 2 - Whether to heat water and store in a tank.. or just have a combi system, that heats it when you need it.. I'm not sure about the pros & cons (clearly having to store it is a con.. and you have to buy an extra storage thing.. AND it takes up more space - but what are benefits to doing that?!) I'll stop before this becomes a mammoth email.. and I eagerly await your amazing replies! Perhaps one for you MagnetMan?!!?? Maybe you could be on the telly too?! Marcus xxxxxx P.S. Richard, let's get you on the Telly! I think getting the sunken engine roaring back to life would be something they'd be very interested in capturing!!

Thank you for all your help and suggestions! Someone came good on shiply, who's picking her up tomorrow am... So all going well... Lady Ethel shall be at her new home by about 2pm! Yes the cost was more than I paid for the boat... Which is mildly jarring... But then again, I did only pay £142.99 for the boat... So not all bad eh? Thanks again, you're all legends! Mx

Hello! Thanks for all the help! And for working out the weight carlt. Quote from shiply in for £330... More than double what I paid for the boat amazingly... Was really hoping to find a friendly pal with the right gear, who fancied some cash & mini 'adventure' ... Oh I tried my local boat club as they have a suitable trailer... Just waiting to hear back from them! Thanks again for all your help! Mx

Ah that's the one! Need to move it by 21st dec.. So slightly up against it... I posted on Shiply... But nothing come in as yet! Mx

haha!! Thank you guys!! She's quite fun isn't she!? Just got to figure out how to get the little devil home now! P.S. Yup torpedo tubes come as standard...

Hello! Man/Woman with Car & Trailer needed please? Sorry I disappeared for a bit there.. thanks for the hints and tips on heating - wow - it's a big topic! I like the look of those diesel stoves.. a lot more homework required here i feel! Firstly, some good news - she's still floating! And the bilge pump comes on very infrequently now... So it was the stern gland that caused the sinkage it seems... No bad news fortunately in fact... just another little bit of good news.. Lady Doris (formerly Fairstar), is soon to be joined on the mooring by a little friend.. Lady Ethel... Hope this link works?! https://www.flickr.com/photos/106293457@N08/ She's in Seaford (between Brighton & Eastbourne), 67 miles away from Kingston Upon Thames (her new home).... and she doesn't have a trailer.. but there's a slipway very nearby. She's 5m long and 2.4m wide... I'm exploring options for getting her to Kingston, and I wonder if you or anyone you know might be interested in helping out (for money of course!) Thank you for all you amazing help!! And I hope you all have a lovely Xmas!! Marcus x