Hobo has a very nice bottom. It’s official.
Three weeks ago now, we had the old girl pulled out of the water to have her bottom re-blacked. The last time this was done was four years ago now (and four years before that, just before I bought her). This is probably twice as long as recommended but, I’m happy and relieved to say, that she has fared well – despite mental pictures of lace curtains that haunted me as the day approached.
But none of that – she is fine and in very good shape.
Her first two ‘outings’ were at Welford’s dry dock where I believe they did a splendid job. This time, Welford being so far to cruise to when you are constrained by having to go out to work, it seemed favourite to make use of the facilities here – ie the slipway with its bomb trolley, as John calls it, and the excellent workmanship of Andy and Jess.
We’ve witnessed their handiwork on many occasions; business here picking up no end since they took on this service. No surprise really as they do a brilliant job.
I was at work when they decided to pull her out and couldn’t wait for me to get back – time and tide waiting for no man (or even boatbird it seems) – other boats already lining up to take their turn. So I authorised John to skipper the operation to drive her up the slipway. Not that I had any fears on that score; just a bit miffed to miss the event.
Perhaps as well. I can turn into a real old woman when it comes to Hobo’s well-being. And driving into the yard to see her sitting safely atop the trolley on the slipway was a huge relief…
As Jess made a start on scraping off the sludge…
Andy pronounced Hobo a very well made boat and her hull in great condition. Music to my ears.
I always thought she was a good boat but there’s nothing like hearing it from someone that knows about these things and is totally unbiased.
They set about grinding her back to the metal, observing strict health and safety regs of course…
Even the, now eight year old, anodes had stood up well…
But I decided to add four new ones…
As I didn’t think they’d go another four years.
On closer inspection, there was one place that caused concern, this being on the waterline where the red stripes around the stern…
As much as I wanted to keep this traditional cream over red design, I conceded it would be prudent to lose this to further bitumen. Really quite nasty pitting so best get rid.
Protection over cosmetics every time.
And here it is gone…
After all, I can always re-instate it at a later date if I feel so inclined.
Actually, I’m quite liking the green stripe that has been used for masking – called frog tape and apparently brilliant.
On the bow too…
We shall see. More work to bring the superstructure up to scratch first though.
I’m getting more and more ideas for decoration and I reckon, by the time Hobo is tiddled up enough and ready for some artistry, I shall have a plan.
The truly marvellous thing when it comes to slipway versus dry dock is that boatbird can still live aboard while work is carried out, courtesy of some giant steps…
The noise and dust is a bit of a pain but that stops in the evening so not all bad. I do struggle to walk half sharp when she’s not floating though. Feels so weird.
We were so lucky with the weather – the whole three days were glorious, sunny and, most importantly, dry. Well done, for once, to whoever arranges the weather. Just check out that sky…
Not forgetting the good old digger that pulled her up and kept her there…
My rudder and propeller. Before…
And after…
Minus the tangle of wire/weed/whatever.
The team in action…
Supervised by the John…
Looking good now the paint is going on.
Notice which gender isn’t standing around/watching/chatting?
That said, they both grafted furiously. Indeed, once we saw how hard they worked, any guilt at not having done it ourselves (and saving loadsamymoney) simply evaporated. We conceded we are just too old disinclined to undertake that level of physical effort.
A view from afar…
Because I can.
There’s even a short/boring/vaguely amusing video of Hobo as she comes off the slip – I was present for this – but I’m too mean to upgrade this site so it can’t be shown here. Maybe I’ll just post it on fishface instead.
There was a bonus too. My kitchen sink has been bloody useless decidedly inefficient since day 1. Any waste drained (or not) into the u-bend then into a thinner pipe, which actually went uphill – I may have mentioned this before – a right royal pain in the arse.
Being on the hard was the perfect time to work on her so we did just that. With Andy’s advice and a borrow of his tools, John drilled another hole (eek) in Hobo’s hull (lower and larger than the previous one) to take a 38mm skin fitting, this being provided by a kind neighbour who just happened to have one going spare. This then linked to a larger hose, pointing downhill, we did away with the u-bend altogether and BINGO – the water now actually drains away. Quickly. Along with any gunk I happen to carelessly throw down it.
And John has plumbed it in such a way I even have more under-sink cupboard space, which on a narrowboat is back of the net.
All in all a pleasant experience. And you can’t always say that about routine maintenance.
Boatbird
Boatbird 