Roof or bust, I spent most evenings during the week getting it ready to paint, like masking it with the help of a duck:
And on Monday I also picked up the vents which I had powder coated, now in matt black:
Those I installed on Tuesday evening, and I had to move the boat across the marina when… the engine wouldn’t go. The started solenoid would engage, but not turn. Figuring this was post-sinking damage I took it to the same guy who replaced the solenoid a few months back, at Auto Electrics in Redditch. He was excellent, a joy to talk with and clearly knew his shit.
He started taking it apart, and quickly found the issue: the motor ran fine, but the solenoid contacts were covered in water and oil, starting to corrode. But… it’s only two months old?! I asked him to look at the motor itself, and that too was dripping in oil, which… eurgh. Likely cause: an oil leak from the crankshaft with a broken seal.
That, to replace, is a bitch: it means taking the gearbox out and who knows what else. We sighed, we laughed. But then I went for a walk and lay in a field of chamomile, so who’s really winning?
This can be a future Nick problem; I currently have a home to build and no travel plans. And then I bolted in the porthole window glass!
Just, wonderful. 🤌
Finally, on Friday, I got the first coat of paint on the roof. Very satisfying, although the anti-slip grit was a bit uneven… in hindsight it was insane to think I’d get a perfect distribution with a roller; of course not. Another one where my skill is simply no match for my expectations, but you know what? I still love it.
And it’s grippy! Compared to the near past it looks incredible, and I can only assume the local wildlife think so too because they just love taking a shit on it.
GET OFF MY ROOF!!
On Saturday I did the second coat — the masking tape took as long as the painting — and… that’s it! Done! THE ROOF IS DONE?! I’ve still to fit the hatch, but details, details…
To celebrate I got the angle grinder and spent an hour in the water tank:
It goes quickly but… damn, we suffer for the cause.
Until next Sunday!
- Nick
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