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My boat has sunk in Kingston (1939 ww2 wooden motor cruiser)

Marcuswarry

By Marcuswarry
in General Boating

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magnetman Veteran II

magnetman

Posted
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Few, far between and $$$$

 

Michael Dennet in Laleham Reach just below Penton Hook is probably the closest serious wooden boat specialist.

 

Another problem with wood boat builders is that if they 'take on' a boat they will want to do a good job on it for their own image.

 

 

Thats part of the reason its so costly.

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MtB Veteran II

MtBDonate to Canal World

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Fairstar needs regular visits to a caring boatyard, to keep the hull in good order. Without the hull there is only the paint keeping the water out.

 

Sadly these days boatyards interested, skilled and willing to work on wooden boats are few and far between.

 

 

Oh I dunno, there seems to be quite a bit of wooden boat expertise still around on the Thames. Starting with Freebody's at Hurley, and working down the foodchain from there...

 

http://www.peterfreebody.com/restorations.php

 

Then

 

 

MtB

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Marcus Warry Engager

Marcus Warry

Posted
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Here's a quick update for you!

 

The divers came today, and had a decent gander...

 

They ripped off all the polythene and the tarpaulins... Which was mildly heartbreaking... But there you go!

 

The good news is that the hull is in good shape. No major damage caused the sinking, or was created by the sinking... So that is a massive relief!

 

They also feel that she might be up by the afternoon... So I may have to start drinking my fizz sooner than I thought.. But that's no bad thing!

 

I don't want to get too carried away away though and certainly don't want to tempt fate.. But if anyone fancies joining us at the boaters inn after... Then it would be lovely to meet you. Or come and watch the raise from the bank side too if you like!

 

I'll keel you updated with the progress!

 

Thanks again for all your support!

 

Marcus

X

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John Williamson 1955 Rising Star

John Williamson 1955

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Looking forwards a bit, I'd suggest the first job after raising her is to do what's needed to clear out all the water from the engine and gearbox before they start rusting internally, possibly up to and including taking the head off. Everything else is relatively cheap and can wait. The engine and box will start corroding rapidly as soon as they are above the surface, and it doesn't take long to turn an engine into a seized wreck. Just don't ask how I know this....

 

Good luck with getting her up...

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Marcus Warry Engager

Marcus Warry

Posted
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Another twist I'm afraid!

 

She's coming up tomorrow now... I've been assured that this is 100%!!

 

Do swing by if you fancy a gander. I'll take videos too for those of you who are too far away! And fizz supplied in the afternoon if all goes well!

 

Marcus

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MtB Veteran II

MtBDonate to Canal World

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Another twist I'm afraid!

 

She's coming up tomorrow now... I've been assured that this is 100%!!

 

 

Excellent news!

 

Just to clarify, you mean tomorrow as in Sunday?

 

What's the plan for raising here then, given they've taken off all your wrapping? Did they say?

 

 

MtB

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bizzard Veteran II

bizzard

Posted
Posted (edited)

Probably a pair of enormous sausage inflatable floats, one on either side under water and then inflating them with compressed air. The lifting strops can easily be worked under bow and stern by a diver. Once to gunwale level a huge diesel driven 500 or more gallon per min pump alongside in a working lighter or flat.

Or they could amaze all by simply placing a few bags of ''Self raising flour'' under its keel and waiting for it to rise.

All the very very best of luck Marcus, you certainly deserve it. cheers.gif

Edited by bizzard
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MtB Veteran II

MtBDonate to Canal World

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Yes and Marcus also deserves substantial credit for the back story, of getting the boat craned at Goole and and lorried down south, hull repaired and re-launched at Caversham, and getting gearbox problems fixed at Windsor by (RLWP IIRC) on the trip downstream.

 

My best advice to Marcus once she is raised, is get an automatic bilge pump and some solar panels!

 

Good luck tomorrow.

 

MtB

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Marcus Warry Engager

Marcus Warry

Posted
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Hello!

Does anyone have a pressure washer I could borrow please? Or know anything about them?

Theyrange from about £49 at tool station... Into the hundreds... There's one for £185 I'm Wickes and there are more expensive ones than that...

I don't want to go nuts... But at the same time I want one that is blimming good.. And that saves time... Otherwise a cheap one is just a false economy I think?! definitely not keen on hiring... As i think these things could be quite handy for other uses...

Mx

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Peter X Experienced

Peter X

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Yes and Marcus also deserves substantial credit for the back story, of getting the boat craned at Goole and and lorried down south, hull repaired and re-launched at Caversham, and getting gearbox problems fixed at Windsor by (RLWP IIRC) on the trip downstream.

 

My best advice to Marcus once she is raised, is get an automatic bilge pump and some solar panels!

 

Good luck tomorrow.

 

MtB

 

Sounds practical, you probably know a lot more about that than I do, but it raises the question, what the purists would think?

Is it acceptable to put solar panels on a historic boat, and this one in particular?

I appreciate it's not like with listed buildings, as far as I know there are no laws to restrict the changes a boat owner may make on the grounds of its historical value?, but what would people think, and would Marcus care if it was making the difference to stop Fairstar re-acquainting herself with the bed of the Thames?

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Marcus Warry Engager

Marcus Warry

Posted
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Hi Peter,

I think you have to be practical... And worst case the new owners if I ever sell it.. Would remove the solar panels?!

I'm definitely going solar, to help keep the old dear afloat!

Mx

I also like the idea of her being self sufficient... And not totally dependent on mains or petrol power. Mx

 

 

Back onto pressure washers...

 

I've just seen this rather clever thing.. But wonder if it might be a gimmick?

 

http://m.screwfix.com/description.htm?id=84325

 

It's an evo petrol engine... But you can add

 

1/ a generator

2/ a pressure washer

3/ a pump out (1000L a minute)

 

The petrol engine is £299... And the ad ons are about £100 each..

 

Quite cool? Or gimmick?

 

Marcus

 

 

 

This looks like a huge contradiction compared to my solar rant above!

 

However, this looks super handy.. Not just for the boat, but a whole range if DIY jobs home and away?! In a forest.. Up a tree?! Haha!

 

Marcus

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