Week Twenty

Monday 15th May 2006.
Steve 1 had out the newspaper and masking tape and set about masking up the gunwales, and the open hold ready to spray paint them in what can only be described as chocolate brown mmmmmm and lovely it looked to. You can certainly understand why they wear masks whilst spray painting the smell of the fumes is enough to send anyone high. I have to say though it did nothing for me. But I do love the colour.

Tuesday 16th May.
No work done on Hadar today.

Wednesday 17th May.
Roger began work on the holds woodwork, the planks, mast and stand. His first job was the rear cross member, he then made the top plank block which sits on the cabin roof, he also started on the stand.

Thursday 18th May.
Roger spent the day making up the stand, he put them in place with the cross member. He also made up the mast box and then arranged the top planks and cross member.

Friday 19th May.
No work today done on Hadar, they are waiting for the tongue and groove wood to arrive for the cratch.













Over this past week Keith has enjoyed helping Roger with the woodwork, helping with measurements and the carrying of the timber, which is very substantial. The planks alone vary in length, but are 1 ½ thick by 11 inches wide. We are now getting very close to Hadar’s launch. Once the timber work for the hold is done, Roger can measure up for the sheeting. That can be got then fitted and yayyy we get to launch. We cannot launch until the sheeting is fitted. Because if it rains and the hold fills up she will sink Eckkk as there are no drain off holes in the hold. Anyway another week of activity and plenty more to come so please keep popping in for a read and a look at the photographs.

Weeks Eighteen and Nineteen

Monday 1st May 2006.

No work today as it was the May Day Bank Holiday.

Tuesday 2nd May.
Outlets were cut for the drain holes, for the basin, shower and galley sink under the port side window in the galley. The outlet for the washing machine was cut on the starboard side. The battening out continued ready for the foam insulating, which was booked for Wednesday. Once the battening was completed, all holes ie: port holes, chimneys, drain holes, etc were covered and sealed ready for the foaming. Holes were also cut through the bulkheads to take water pipes and electric cables, they were then covered and sealed. Also all the battening had to be covered with tape, so that once the foaming was done the tape could be taken off to reveal the wooden batten. The bulkheads in the engine room were covered with newspaper and taped up, they are not insulated as they only need insulation one one side only. Steve 2 had the messy job of rubbing down the cabin tops read oxide coat, ready to take a coat of gloss, so Hadars body work will be protected once outside. A top coat of gloss is added because the red oxide alone is porous. Once Hadar is ready for her final paint job, all this will be stripped off.

Wednesday 3rd May.
The guys from A & K Insulations Ltd (www.insulationsprayfoam.co.uk) arrived around 8:15am and prepared their equipment for the task of insulating Hadar's cabin. James was doing the spraying whilst John his partner was in charge of looking after the pumping equipment. They had to make sure there was at least a 1" even coat of foam through out the boatmans cabin, bathroom, galley and saloon. They finished it around 11.45am and then set about packing everything away.

Thursday 4th May.
There was no work done on Hadar, as Steve 2 had injured his ankle, and was taking a few days off to recover.

Friday 5th May.
Steve 1 started to clean the battens after completion of the foam insulating, where the spray foam had come into contact with them.

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Monday 8th May 2006.
Steve 1 continued the job of stripping back the foam insulation off the wooden battens. He also had the job of cutting back and sawing off the excess foam, where it was protruding over the wooden battens. I found that the sawing of the foam put my teeth on edge ewwwwww.

Tuesday 9th May
Steve 2 is still off work, with torn ligaments in both sides of his ankle, we wish him a speedy recovery. Steve 1 was again cleaning the battens this time in the boatmans cabin. Once that was all done he then painted the floor in the boatmans cabin.

Wednesday 10th May
Steve 1 finished rubbing down the cabin top that Steve 1 had started before his ankle injury.

Thursday 11th May.
No Steve 1 today he hurt his back on Wednesday. The mast and stand timber arrived. We sat down and worked out where we want all the electric sockets and lighting fitted.

Friday 12th May.
Steve 1 was back, all be it a little stiff, he finished rubbing down the cabin top. He then altered the sheeting fixing rail. Finally for this week he spray painted a coat of ice blue gloss paint over the red oxide. The gloss coat is there to protect the metal work, once outside until the final painting.

Weeks Fifteen, Sixteen and Seventeen

Monday 10th April 2006.
Hadar was lowered back to the shed floor, back on safe ground. Steve 2 was back on rivet duty, and it was the turn of the roof edge, doors and bulkhead. These rivets were much smaller than the hull rivets, so much more fiddly to put on and weld, in fact I think Steve had the patience of a saint. All in all on the Starboard side he welded on 221, see what I mean the patience of a saint.
Tuesday 11th April.
Steve 2 was again on rivets, this time on the port side, and in all he welded on 231 on the cabin tops doors and bulkhead. Believe it or not I actually counted all the rivets after he welded the remaining bow rivets on and amazingly there are approximately 1315. I say approximately because after counting them all twice I was ginging up the will to live. So if we meet up on the cut and you want to challenge my total feel free to count them up Ha ha ha. Believe me it is not easy, I was seeing double by the end, so goodness knows what it like to have to weld them all on. I will apologise to Steve 2 right now for putting him through that torture LOL... Oh heck I was forgetting he got paid to do it LOL. Steve 2 also fitted 4 fold up brass foot steps which are on each corner of the cabin top. So when we are both to old to climb onto the cabin top we can use the steps. Don't laugh we have to think of these thing's now after all I am coming up for 44 LOL. We maybe spring chickens now but as Hadar is going to be our only boat built from new, we are having everything fitted now for our more advanced year's. Forward thinking pay's, so if your thinking of having a boat built, think about what will happen when you are getting older and what you would like fitted now.Back to the boat, I was getting side tracked. Roger begain working on the swan neck, he had the steel on the lathe. Now that was an interesting thing to watch, look at the photo's and the one with the hole in the wall where the steel pole comes out. A great bit of design work LOL.

Wednesday 12th April.
The letter box vents for the boatmans cabin were screwed into place on both sides of the cabin top. When the boat's were first built with them in the 30's, the vents were open and used, but on our boat they will just be for affect. It all just adds to the over all affect. Steve 2 also welded into the open hold the mast base box, which will take the main wooden mast.

Thursday 13th April.
Steve 2 added more framing out steel in the cabin around the port holes. Both Steve 1 and Steve 2 then stated the bending of the swan neck, using a blow torn and brute force.
Friday 14th April. Good friday so nothing happened today it was a well earned day off for everyone.

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As it was the Easter Weekend no body worked Easter Monday 17th April.

Tuesday 18th April 2006.
Back to work and the swan neck was made, fitted and painted with red oxide. The screw holes for the navigation lights were drilled in to the saloon bulkhead. The head lamp post was welded into place above the gas locker at the bow.

Wednesday 19th April.
Steve 2 was busy with grinding back of the hull. Ariel fixing points were drilled out on the roof. Roger sorted out the gearbox, which had been in one of his previous boats, it had had very little use. The Top Hat was made and fitted on to the rudder post, above the rudder tube.

Thursday 20th April.
Steve 2 started spraying our cabin top and roof with red oxide paint. The fumes alone were enough to make anyone high LOL.Roger cut out the battens, for the framing out of cabin. Steve 1 cut out and welded the plate to the gearbox, that will hold it all in place.

Friday 21st April.
Steve 2 all masked up finished spraying the boat, doing the open hold and the bow, then both he and Roger began blacking the bottom with 2 pack. Hadar will have 2 1/2 coats of the 2 pack.

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Monday 24th April to Friday 28th April we were away. You can read about the fun few day's we had at http://www.ladyjogearman.blogspot.com/ Work was still taking place on Hadar over the week and it was as follows.

The port holes for the cabin top and pigeon box arrived along with their glass. The bulls eye also arrived along with the mushroom vents. All the holes were drilled into the cabin top to take the afore mentioned. The battening timber was screwed into place through out the boatmans cabin, engine room, bathroom, galley and saloon. The sheeting eyes were welded into place along the gunwales of the open hold. They will hold the ropes in place over the sheeting. 2 vents for the diesel were put into place in the walls of the engine room. The day tank was also fitted into the engine room. We discussed the outlets for the shower, basin, galley sink and washing machine with Roger. The yellow Pine for the open hold top planks arrived they are each 11" x 2". So it was a very busy week whilst we were away.

Week Fourteen

Rivets and more Rivets

Monday 3rd April 2006.
This is a week of rivets and more rivets, so many so that Steve 2 is now dreaming about them LOL. On the port and starboard side 440 rivets have so far been welded on the hull, and they look fabulous. The ring and rails were made by Steve 1, and will be welded to the outsie wall of the galley bulkhead. The propshaft, and propeller were married up, but there was a problem with the alignment, so the shaft had to be changed.

Tuesday 4th April.
Bow fender brackets were welded on the bow. Steve 1 fitted the propshaft and propeller.The fixing plates for the false front cratch were welded into place. More rivets were welded on by Steve 2, infact in all between Steve and Roger they have welded on 781 rivets. There are still quite a few to go as well. The Anode beackets were welded on, and the Anodes were fitted.

Wednesday 5th April.
Today it was the day when Hadar was jacked up, ready for welding underneath. They used hand held jacks at each end, whilst using wooden blocks to hold her up. Jacking one end at a time they found the pivot point so they could block her up little by little. It was a bit like trying to find the centre point of a slide. But gradually they got her a few feet off the ground, and set about welding the base plate underneath, and the lowest rubbing strake.The timber arrived from Jewson for the framing out.

Thursday 6th April.
Both Steve's spent the day welding and grinding back, on the base plate and hull.

Friday 7th April.
Both Steve's again were welding and grinding back, they also did some work on the stem post, ready for the false rivets to go on.

Both Keith and I can now see how Hadar will look, now that the hull is almost complete. For us seeing Hadar come this far, means that soon she will be launched. The next phase will be the fitting out, that's when the fun will start for me in particular. It is always a woman's dream isn't it girl's to have thing's fitted the way we would like them. Keith and I have pretty much decided on the detail's for the fit out, but like with most thing's there is always room for change or improvement. So keep watching this space, because it is an exciting time.

Week Thirteen

Monday 27th March 2006
Steve 2 cuts out the positions for the 7 portholes. Steve 1 finished the sliders for the boatmans cabin hatch. Roger began marking out and welding on the dummy rivets along the port side starting at the bow. Each rivet is place 41/2 inches apart. The rivets Roger uses are his own design, so if I tell you his secret design he may have to shoot me LOL. Steve 1 did the planking on the rear bulkhead of the boatmans cabin, to give it the effect of wooden planks. By the end of the day Roger had made and welded into place 198 rivets. I dare say he will be seeing them in his sleep. Steve 2 welded on the weather strip over the window in the galley on the Port side. Steve 1 cut out and tacked on the hinges for the rear boatmans cabin doors.

Tuesday 28th March.
Steve 1 welded on the rear doors for the boatmans cabin, he also cut out the hole in the engine room roof for the pigeon box, which has already been made. After checking with keith and I about mushroom vent positions and bulls eye position Steve 1 then set about cutting the holes in the roof. Steve 2 spent the day welding up and grinding back along the length of the boat. Roger continued welding on the dummy rivets, and had added another 85 by the end of the day. The pate we will stand on for steering was also welded on by the end of the day.

Wednesday 29th March.
The hole for the engine exhaust was cut out in the roof of the engine room, and the fitting put in place.The handrail for the starboard side of the roof was made and welded into place. The Port side weather strip over the galley windown was welded on. Steve 1 set to adding all the steel frame work for the boatmans cabin floor. The Saloon stove flue hole was cut out.

Thursday 30th March.
Fender brackets were welded onto the stern of the boat. Steps for the inside the open hold, were being made. Today the Tiller arm, propeller, anodes, propshaft, stern tubing gland, and navigation lights arrived. Framing out was taking place inside the boat for the woodwork.

Friday 31st March.
The steps for both sides of the open hold were welded into place. Steve 2 started welding on the dummy rivets on the starboard side he did 221 by the end of the day. Two chimney collars were bolted into place in the boatmans cabin and saloon. Door securing nuts were welded onto all doors and windows. One of the two ring and rails was made for the saloon bulkhead.
Another exciting week for us, having sat and watched it all going on. Hadar looks like a real boat now and she has her own personality.

Week Twelve

Monday 20th March 2006.

The bulkhead between the engine room and our galley was tacked into place ready for the final welding. The strip of steel drilled for wood and screws, that will hold the canvas in place was welded along the gunwale, where our under the canvas saloon will be. Roger had begun to cut out the beginnings of the handrails that will run along the roof top, port and starboard.

Tuesday 21st March.
Steve 1 was busy cutting out the hatchways on the engine room. Roger was scoring a line 2 inches below the gunwale, to make it look like wood was planted on the gunwale. We know it is only fake, but it does finish it off properly. Roger like’s to make sure all the detail is correct as do we. Roger then took off the temporary bracing that was throughout the hold. It looks massive now that it is completely cleared.Steve1 then make the sides for all the hatchway’s ready for the lids.

Wednesday 22nd March.
More scoring of the imitation wood along the gunwale was done on the port side. To do this scoring a line is drawn with chalk, 2 inches down from the top of the gunwale. Then a straight, flat piece of steel is tacked to the gunwale, and an angle grinder is then used to score in the final line. The doors were made for the engine room on the port side.Back doors for the boatman’s cabin, engine room starboard side doors, and hatch lids were chalked out on a sheet of steel ready for cutting out.

Thursday 23rd March.
Steve 2 cut out the galley window door’s for the port side, tacking on the hinges and grinding them all back. Port side engine room doors were welded into place. Roger finished cutting out the handrails, he then set about welding on the posts.

Friday 24th March.
Port side window doors are welded into place. The Starboard door’s for the engine room were welded on. The handrails were tacked into place on the roof of the boatman’s cabin, shower room and galley on the port side. The doorway of the rear boatman’s cabin was reinforced ready to take the doors. Also the sliders were welded on for the hatch when it is made.Roger cut out, bent and welded into place the beam holders in the open hold. The holders will hold the wooden beams that go across the hold and cover up the shackles. Roger also started welding on the half rings which the shackles will be attached to. I stood watching as the beam holders were cut out, and it totally amazed me how quick and easy it is to cut steel with a torch. It’s like a hot knife through butter. It also makes you realise when they always wear safety gear such as goggles etc, because it is also very dangerous. As you have read it has been a very productive week, it was hard to know where to take the photographs next, but we had a great time watching all the work going on and will continue to enjoy this journey as it unfolds.

Week Eleven

Monday 13th March 2006.
Another week and more work to be done on Hadar our new home to be.The edging strip along the roof line was tacked into place. This strip with take the dummy rivets.The doorway uprights have been tacked into place between the boatsman's cabin and the engine room.

Tuesday 14th March.
Steve 1 was off poorly. As we are well aware at this time of year, there are plenty of bugs going around.Steve 2 spent the day welding up and grinding back.

Wednesday 15th March.
Much the same as Tuesday.

Thursday 16th March.
No progress today as Steve 1 was still off poorly and Steve 2 was on holiday.

Friday 17th March.
Steve 1 was back at work feeling a little better, but not 100%.Firstly he started out by marking out and cutting out the bulkhead which will be between the boatsman's cabin and the engine room.He then proceded to tack them into place.

Whilst this week seemed like a slow week progress wise, we are still enjoying the process of watching new things happen every day. When all this is over, and we are crusing the system, we will be able to look aback on the diary and photograph album and smile, because we are watching our dream grow. For many they may find this the boring part, but for us it is pure joy. It also makes it more pleasureable because our boat Hadar is being built by a great team of people.So here's to the following weeks, and to more memory building.

Week Ten

Monday 6th March 2006.
Both the Steve's spent some of the day welding and grinding back some of the tacked steel shell.Roger had gone off at 9am to collect our National engine, from Tony Redshaw at Braunston. Whilst he was there he asked for it to be run for a little while so he could hear it, and also take a video of it for us. Roger was back by early afternoon, and they set about taking the engine off the trailer. They had to remove the mounting blocks before lifting and positioning the engine into place in the engine room. Keith and I are so pleased with the engine, Tony and his son Paul have made a fantastic job of her, she looks fabulous with her shiny top and brass.

Tuesday 7th March.
The engine was moved so that the engine bay could be painted out with white paint, and the engine fixing points were welded into place on the fuel tanks, it was then a matter of waiting for the paint to dry before putting the engine back into place.Steve 2 was also busy working on the gas locker. He was squeezed into a small space welding in the floor.We also discussed the position for the water tank.

Wednesday 8th March.
A day tank for the diesel was made ready to go into the engine room when the time comes. Because there is no fuel pump we need a day tank, which we will have to hand pump every morning before setting off. The pigeon box was also made ready for the engine room roof.Steve 2 finished welding the floor into the gas locker.They then put the engine back into place.The final side for the boatmans cabin and engine room was lifted and tacked into place.

Thursday 9th March.
The gas locker was painted out.With the sides for the boatsmans cabin in place the shape was then cut into their tops ready to take the roof.

Friday 10th March.
The roof had its strengthening bars tacked on and was then lifted into place and tacked. So now the boat has its cabin sides and roofs. Hadar does already look fabulous, and we are so very happy with her progress. We feel very priviledged to have the opportunity to watch her being built, and thank Roger and the two Steve's for allowing us access to be able to take photographs, and ask questions about the build.Here's to another week of fun and games, and to further progress.

Week Nine

Monday 27th February 2006.
The start of week 8 and major things were going to happen this week. Firstly the two Steve's tacked into place the roofing for the galley and bathroom, so we have the beginings of a roof over our heads.They then put up the first sheet of steel for the boatsman's cabin, little can be done to the boatsman's cabin, until the engine come's back.In the mean time Roger was working on the prop shaft and couplings.

Tuesday 28th February.
The last day of the month and brrrr a cold day with snow flurries but inside the workshop it was a flurry of work going on as the two sides and roof for the saloon are tacked into place.We also had discussions about the size of the portholes, we are having 7 in all.

Wednesday 1st March.
The doorway and the bulkhead for the saloon opening into the open hold was added. We were also told that our national engine was due to come back on Monday, which will be very exciting, to see it in its new livery.

Thursday 2nd March.
With Steve two off poorly, Steve One was busy welding and grinding back the new cabins.

Friday 3rd March.
Steve One spent the day cutting out and tacking into place the door's for the Saloon, these doors have been done as stable doors, so they open into the open hold. We have also had hinges fitted so that the top doors can be taken off in the good weather. Steve's final task for the week was to red oxide the floor of the engine room, ready for the engines return on Monday. That was it would have the weekend to dry out, as it is very cold in the workshop.

It has been a fantastic week for seeing progress, and imagining where everything is going to go once fitted out.Atfer the the boatsman's cabin and engine room, we have added an extra 10ft of cabin space to accomodate the bathroom and galley, with a further 8ft for the saloon, which will be unseen under the canvas. The idea for extending the cabin top by 10ft for the galley and bathroom, were taken off of Warbler a Willow Wren boat also a Star Class, we saw her down at the Canal Crusing company when we were having Misty Ladys bottom blacked, and having looked at Warbler we realised it did not look out of place and actually solved a few of our space problems, as we had originally decided to have everything under canvas, but they caused problems for the head room in the shower. So now with the problem solved with the 10ft extention, we can have what we want, but still keep the outside looking in proportion. Our excitement is building as you can well imagine, especially with our engine coming back. Look out for the next installment when I will post photographs of the engine in her new livery.

Week Eight

It was another fantastic week in the building of Hadar. I have now numbered the two Steve's LOL. Far better than saying old Steve and young Steve hahaha, if I did that they may down tools and stop work lol, you know what men are like (whoops sorry guy's)

Monday 20th February 2006.
Steve 1 completed putting the baffles in cooling tank, the baffles in the coolong tanks are cut at two different lengths, so the water has to pass around them, allowing the water to cool in the process, he then welded the face of it on with pipe fittings, top and bottom.Steve 2 spent most of the time welding the hull on the inside.

Tuesday 21st February.
We had discussions with Roger about canvas and the position of the steel strips, that will butt upto the cabin sides.After the discussions Steve 2 began tacking steel strips along the gunwale, these strips have been pre-drilled, for taking the canvas which goes upwards from the gunwales, and will be held inplace with timber screwed to the steel work.Steve 1 set to and did the second cooling tank with baffles and outlets.

Wednesday 22nd February.
The steel strips were welded to the gunwales and ground back.The final 2 cross members were welded into place in the boatsman cabin floor.The two cooling tanks were then pressurised and tested for leaks, and both passed.Discussions were had about the cabin tops and planking.The first of the bulkheads went on at the stern,and was tacked into place. The boatsman cabin rear wall with door hole, will have planking grooved into it at a later stage to make it look like wooden planks, which was used when the small northwich was originally built.

Thursday 23rd February.
Steve 1 made up and fitted the rudder post and rudder.He also made up and bent the cross members for the roof.There was lots of grinding back for Steve 2.

Friday 24th February.
Steve 2 added the fourth and final rubbing strake was tacked on along the bottom of the hull.Steve 1 was working on the rudder post and skeg.They all set about lifting and putting into position the first of the cabin sides for the bathroom and galley, that was then tacked into place, and side number 2 was put into place.Finally they bent the roof into shape and tacked the crossed members onto the roofing steel.It's all set for another exciting week to come.

Week Seven

Monday 13th February 2006.
The begining of another week, this being week 7 we were expecting to be just watching all the joints, being welded, but as you will notice from the photographs, other things took place as well.For a starter they completely welded the fuel tank tops on, they were then both pressurised to see if they leaked externally. The internal test had already been carried out. The external tests were done and no leaks found.The excess base plate on the bow was partly cut away, giving the base of the hull it's final shape, and very nice it looked.

Tuesday 14th February.
The rest of the hull was completely welded and the remaining base plate at the bow was cut away. Even just the small things, makes a big difference to the final shape.

Wednesday 15th February.
It was purely just lot's of welding and grinding back today make sure all the surfaces, had a finished smooth appearance.

Thursday 16th February.
Yet more welding and grinding, sounds boring, but if its not done, the final effect will not look so great, not to mention the fact that hadar will sink LOL.

Friday 17th February.
Today the two Steve's set about straightening the hull out, making sure all the lines of the body work were straight, which ment alterations in the gunwales, and yes yet more welding. Hadar would look pretty silly if her hull was like a banana, so it is important. Again there was alot of welding going on throughout the hull, but vital even though it will all be unseen.Finally for the week, the metal work has started to go in for the cooling tanks. All in all another good week.

Week Six

Monday 6th February 2006.
The beginning of week 6, and a warmer start to the week, even though it was dull. There was nothing done to Hadar during the morning, as Steve was working on Typhoon, blacking her bottom ( I bet she loved that LOL). But during the afternoon, he tacked the remainder of the top rubbing strake along both sides of the hull, heading towards the stern

Tuesday 7th February.
All of the top rubbing strake was welded into place right the way around Hadar's hull.

Wednesday 8th February.
The two Steve's then set about adding the other three rubbing strakes to the stern of the boat, firstly bending then tacking them into place, they then using the cutting torch cut off the excess 15mm steel off the base plate, giving Hadar's Stern her shape, and very fine it looks too.

Thursday 9th February.
The 3 remaining stern rubbing strakes are all welded in to position and ground down to make them nice and smooth. A connection pipe has been welded into place to connect the two fuel tanks, and a leakage test has been done. (So fingers were crossed).

Friday 10th February.
With no leakage found on the fuel tanks, tops were tacked into place, and a pressure test valve fitted. Any of the remaining stern welding was done and all ground back to give the stern it's final shape.

Although we thought this may have been a quiet week, due to all the final welding which needed to be done, we have actually seen a huge change in Hadar's Stern, as you will see from the photograph's in her album, so here's to another fun packed week. I will see you same place, same time next week, all being well.

Week Five

Monday 30th January 2006.
After watching an exciting week last week, we knew this coming week was going to be more about the welding of the hull structure, and therefore there would be very little to see as far as progress was concerned, but we need not have worried we still had planty to photograph, and admire as the two Steve's and Roger got to work on the rubbing strakes at the bow. So today they spent time welding on more of the gunwales towards the stern, and strenghtening bars have been welded in place in the bow. They maybe unseen but they are an important part of boat building, the unsung heroes I guess.

Tuesday 31st January.
Today the strenghtening bars went into the stern, all lined up like matchsticks. But they are there for a reason and although we will probably never see them again once the boat is built, it is important for them to be added. We had discussion with Roger about the gas locker and the position of our water tank, and after a few ideas being tossed into the conversation we have decided to have it under the false cratch in the bow of the boat. There will be pictures when that part is put in place. It will be easier to see, than for me to try and explain LOL.

Wednesday 1st February.
Well a new month and work continues with the gunwales at the stern being fished and cut to shape. But for us the exciting part to this week was watching the first of the rubbing stakes being bent into place. No this is not done by machine, it is done with cold steel and muscle, not to mention a good eye for getting the shape correct. Both the Steve's spent time making sure the shape looked correct as they bent the steel and tacked it into place with a weld.

Thursday 2nd February.
Both the top rubbing strakes have been tacked on at the bow, making sure they shape matches both sides, and the second rubbing stakes are being worked on. This is not a process that can be hurried otherwise it could all look wrong, but it was incredible to watch how it was done, with string lines to get the shape and then drawn on in chalk, until the steel was finally put in place.

Friday 3rd February.
The first and second rubbing strakes were welded properly into place and the third was being added. Now looking at the bow you can really see her shape, and it looks amazing. Hadar is truely coming alive. So we look forward to this coming week to see what else is new in her build. So please pop in and have a look.

Week 4

Monday 23rd January 2005
The begining of week 4 of Hadar's build, and we knew this week would show alot of progress, we were not to be disappointed as you will see in the photographs. So week 4 and the mooring stud is welded into place on the bow deck. The two front hull panels were tacked into place ready for the bending of the bow.

Tuesday 24th January.
More work was completed on the hull at the bow, and the shape was being cut into the sides. We could actually see her taking shape now, making her look huge.

Wednesday 25th January.
It was a day of intense concentration, as the two Steve's marked out and cut the bow's hull to meet up with the stem post. You cannot apprechiate how much work goes into this unless you actually see it being done. We both watched as the bow took shape. Keith enjoyed sitting in the shed watching everything and taking photographs.

Thursday 26th January.
It was pretty much as Wednesday working on getting the shape of the bow hull to match up with the stem post, and welding it all in place.

Friday 27th January
Now that the bow hull is pretty much in place it is time to get all the welding done, on the parts that you cannot see outwardly, and they are the bit's that take the time, not to mention someone small enough to get into all the tiny places.

It's been another fascinating week, and one that has ended with Hadar having her shape developed. You can now see how different the Small Northwich bow look's compaired to the Joshers in the marina being fitted out. Looking at her in the workshop, she gives the impression that you would not want to get in her way, when on the water. Keith and I both know that as the week's pass there will be times when we do not see as much progress in her, but it does not mean nothing is being done, it just means that all the welding is coming together, and therefore it looks like there is no change as such. But keep popping in and I will keep you up to date with all that's going on, no matter how small a development.

Week Three of Hadars Build

Monday 16th January 2006.
Work has begun on our boat,and we are into week 3 of the build. Both Keith and I sat in the shed watching as the two Steve's worked on the Stem Post. It had to be bent into shape to fit on the bow of the boat. Like all boats each design has a different shaped stem post, so a wooden template was used to get the shape right. It was then tacked into place. We are both finding it fascinating watching as the pieces of the jigsaw are put into place. Not many people get the opportunity to see their boat being built from the base plate up, so we do feel priviledged that we have been given this opportunity, we do try our best not to get under anyones feet. Next came the tumblows which were bent into shape and tacked to the stem post ready for welding. The bow was really taking shape.

Tuesday 17th January 2006.
The bow has been welded and all the pieces put into place. They then cut out the place for the weed hatch to go in the stern. The weed hatch which was all ready welded together ready to go in was welded into. The rudder collar was also put into place.

Wednesday 17th January 2005.
The counter sweep ups were cut, giving the stern its shape, and the bow deck was welded into position. The rudder tube was put into position ready for welding, and finally for the day they have cut out the sterns counter deck.

Thursday 18th January 2006.
They have cut out and welded in the front deck.

Friday 19th January 2006.
The sterns rudder tube was welded into place,as was the stern counter deck. The front hatch on the bow was cut out ready to take the front hatch and lid, which were then all welded into place, along with their rivets.The stern dollies had arrived so were fitted and welded into place.

All in all it has been a fabulous week and alot for us to watch and take photographs of. The photographs are in Hadar's Album. Hadar has come on so much this week, and we have really enjoyed watching her progress. There will be many more updates as the boat continues to grow, so please pop in and take a look.

Hadar's Engine

The engine which is to be installed in Hadar is one of 2 known to be remaining of the Type "DA-2" engines built by the "National Gas and Oil Co. Ltd." at Ashton-under-Lyme. Mr H. N. Bickerton founded the company in 1889.

This particular engine carries the Serial No. "63567". It was purchased from a funfair where it was being used as a standby generator, and prior to this it was at Keighley railway works, also as a standby generator. It is a two cylinder unit with a bore diameter of 4⅛", 105mm developing an impressive maximum 30bhp, or 27bhp constant at 1500rpm, and weighs in at a mighty 1500lbs, or 2/3ton! Its physical dimensions are Length (including starter handle) 43½" 109.2cm, Width (flywheel) 25" 63.5cm and Height 45" 114.3cm.
It is being marinised and refurbished by Tony Redshaw at his new workshop in Braunston. It requires a starter ring to be fitted to the flywheel, and starter motor. I have chosen to have 2 alternators, one 45amp (starter battery) & one 90amp (domestic battery) to be fitted.

If anyone has any furter information on this engine please get in touch with us by leaving your message, and we will contact you back. We would love to find out further details on our engine if there are any out there.

Week Two of Hadar's Build

12/12/05
We have made it through week two of our boat build. Monday saw the base of the counter tacked into place.The fuel tank sides were also tacked into place. After working out the templates for the front bulkhead, the steel was cut out and tacked into place. We could now appreciate how large Hadar was going to look from the front.

13/12/05
Roger put in place wooden templates for the bow structure, so we could see what the complete bow would look like, and we both through wow how impressive she was going to look, not to mention wide LOL. They also tacked in place the counter sides, so the stern has really taken shape now as you will see from the photographs. Having seen the templates for the bow structure, they used those templates to cut out the steel pieces.
The rest of the week was spent working on other boats in the yard, so that they are already for Christmas. One of the boats is going out for its shake down over Christmas so it has been important to make sure it is ready on time, and the steel arrived for another job in progress, so they were busy catching up on that as well.

As usual all up to date photograps are in the album, just click on Hadar photo's in the menu and you can enjoy watching Hadar's progress along with us. See you next week if there is anything to report. May we take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas, and all the very best for 2006.

Week one of Hadar's build

Having watched all the steel arrive, we are now watching as Hadar come's together.
We will do a weekly report, hopefully on Monday's so we you can see how she has progressed.

Mon 5/12/05
The base plate welding is completed and the first cross members are put in place, starting forward of the engine room. The stern and swim area (the "swim" is the section of hull at the stern which narrows in underneath the waterline to the propellor and rudder) is all marked out ready.

Wed 7/12/05The final cross members are added and one mid-section side plate is tacked into postion, ready for welding.

Thur 8/12/05
The second mid-section side plate was prepared and tacked into place. The skeg (the skeg is a horizontal fin which extend rearwards from the end of the swim below the propellor to support the bottom end of the rudder) was welded into place at the stern. The forward and rear engine room bulkhead bases are tacked in place.

Fri 9/12/05
Both rear side-plates have been tacked into place forming the swim.

If you wish to see further photographs please go to the Photo Album in the menu

More Steel

Unloading the lorry

Today more steel arrived for our boat. So we now have everything that is needed to get our boat started. We stood and watched as the steel was unloaded off a lorry, which had come from York.

For Keith and I it is exciting just to see the metal being pulled off the lorry. (I know sad huh)
The base plate steel alone weighs 8 tons, at 15mm thick it is certainly ment to last LOL

Once they had unloaded all the steel into the shed it was time to get the base plate laid out and work began on Hadar. Luckily we are moored at the boat yard, so we will be able to take loads of photograph's and keep the diary up to date. So watch this space for further updates.

Our Journey has now begun

A journey which we first under took in May 2002 is about to become reality. Keith I first approached Roger Fuller the owner of Roger Fuller Boat Builders in 2002, and asked him to build us a brand new boat, in the style of a traditional Small Northwich Star class working boat, and were put on his list. We choose Roger because he knew about and could build exactly what we were looking for. So we sat back and waited for our time to come and guess what that time is now here, and we are both so very excited. For Keith this has been over 37 years of waiting and his life's dream. The reality begins here. So please come with us on this wonderful journey.

This is the shed empty after the boat prior to our's left for its new home

Today some of the steel arrived for the building of our boat.