Katona

A narrowboat rebuild by Nick Goodall.

Bigger, faster, weaker

15th September 2024

Hello! Happy warm weather again.

This week, more bedroom trim. I’ve now done most of it, but it’s like playing pick-up sticks and I can only do a few pieces each time while the glue dries:

boat-trim-supports.jpeg

For the lighting coves I was planning to also glue them, but curving and holding those in place is frustrating so I’ve ordered some more screws.

This afternoon I was about to panel the bathroom ceiling to feel some progress, but then remembered I need to run wiring and pipes above it first… focus, Nicholas! Thankfully the bedroom’s almost done; I can feel the pull of starting the next thing.

Yesterday, Saturday, I took a hiatus to check out Katona’s competition at the Southampton Boat Show. Only expecting to find the sea-faring kind, I was surprised near the entrance to find the one-and-only narrowboat!

boat-show-narrowboat.jpeg

The rest were indeed yachts and motorboats:

boat-show-boats.jpeg

A bowsprit on Katona and I could sink them all, they wouldn’t stand a chance (but I couldn’t stand a wave).

We dallied awhile with the owner of a semi-custom Rustler 42; beautifully fitted-out, he involved himself throughout the 2-year build and knew the boat inside-out. One of the day’s highlights, and I did like the control panels:

sealth-12v-panel.jpeg

sealth-240v-panel.jpeg

And then we found this speedy-looking red yacht, possibly Katona’s cousin:

boat-show-red-yacht.jpeg

boat-show-red-yacht-close.jpeg

A “fast family cruiser,” it looked fancy but I wouldn’t call it cosy — inside it was modern and quite minimalist, nothing homely about it. Not even a fireplace.

Back to (narrow-)boating today, and the marina heron taking flight:

marina-heron.jpeg

Until next Sunday!

- Nick

Subscribe to this here blog

A boatful of delight in your inbox, every week.