I’m trying to write my second blog this month, it’s such a shock that the computer can’t accept it. I wrote the blog, tried to add some photographs and Google won’t let me…

Went back to the written draft to find that random words had been highlighted and not shown when I previewed it…most bizarre. 

So the two pallets arrived, but without the transducer which we need to be installed before we can launch. It is now on the way but, who knows when it will arrive. 

The cockpit is now back in

Gill is sewing toe rail covers and I am splicing mooring lines

Let me try and publish this

The ship carrying our pallets arrived in Castries on Friday. Now we wait for the stock to get through Customs. As anyone who has ever done this sort of thing, that could be quick, or not…

Now that the physical engine installation is complete, we have started to refit the cockpit as the photograph shows. After that, we will build the “engine room”. 

Kevin joined us for a couple of weeks and fitted the portholes, I still need to install a mechanism to keep them open for ventilation.

Other than that, we have continued to plug screw holes, varnish wood and polish brass. 

We are still pushing for a launch this year, but it will be tough to get there!

More later…

 Well, here we are halfway through November and no updates for months…and we aren’t in the water!

I decided to ship some stuff out from the U.K. so went to the Boat Show at the end of September to buy stuff. The last order has finally arrived at the warehouse in Barking, so went are now ready to ship. I’ve not done this before, but so far the warehouse (One Caribbean) seem to be very efficient and friendly.  The shipment should be with us early December 

Unfortunately we need a few things on that shipment before we can launch… There was also the small matter of the engine installation which for one reason or another has taken forever. It is now complete so all is good. 

The guys have not been idle (well no more so than usual) over the summer and the interior is looking magnificent the forepeak berth is in, the heads is almost in, the saloon berths are nearly finished. Hopefully I can put some photographs in to show how great it is!

As to “the plan”…. I’m not sure when the pallet will arrive, but we will need two weeks to fit the underwater parts once they arrive. So that and the ARC arriving, we will launch after Christmas I think. 

We do now have a plan to sail up to Antigua in early April, ready for Classics. If you want to help sail up, please shout and I will furnish you with details. 

Today marks seven years since our friend, and previous owner of Guiding Light, was lost at sea. 

Looking aft.

The main saloon taking shape

Gill making covers for the Brightwork 

The head

 We are moving forward at a good pace it seems, the hull is almost complete. Just the stern tube and anti fouling to go

The deck is being caulked, should be finished soon! Then we will be able to start reattaching all the deck furniture.

Below decks the sole boards are all ready, just need varnishing.  The anchor locker is coming on well, it just needs lining, and the windlass of course…

I really now believe we will be in the water in October.

Other jobs to do include all the electrics and electronics, all the plumbing, commissioning the engine etc etc. 

Hopefully we will have more regular updates, but Looking good!

 

Three Blakes seacocks awaiting the heads

We provide only the finest furniture for our craftsmen 

The template tank…

Yet another delay

We have decided that we won’t make Antigua Classics this year. The main stumbling block this time is Star Charger, she isn’t ready to make the trip as mother ship. 

Work on Guiding Light is going well, the top sides are painted and the boot top line is being applied by Gill.  The guys have primed the interior and are working on the structure for the sole boards. I am focused on the deck furniture, final bits that need cleaning and reinstalling.

In ten days we fly back to the U.K. for a month, hopefully the work will continue while we are away.

When we return our focus will be on Star Charger. We have to sail her up to Martinique to restart the clock on her stay here.  Hopefully that will be in April.

More news later…

Happy New Year, this is the year…

We now have less than three months to get Guiding Light sailing…and for one month of that we are back in the U.K. for medical checkups…

So this is where we are, all primed and ready for topcoat, and anti fouling. Mostly varnished, mostly polished…

The engine bed is in, the engine is aligned, just need to trim the prop shaft to size, fit the inner bearing and bolt it all together.  Then of course commission the engine.

Fit basic electrics, bilge pumps, lights etc

All the deck fittings need to be reinstalled, with backing plates where appropriate.

The mast needs rigging.  As does the bowsprit and bumpkin

Plus everything I’ve forgotten…

I will try and update weekly

 

Following my last post, life served us another curved ball!  I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s…a huge shock and something I’m struggling to really come to terms with. My motivation has dropped through the floor and it is a struggle to find the enthusiasm to do anything. However……

We are moving forward we have found a very nice and competent carpenter, Jeremiah.  Not a shipwright but between us we are getting there. Stephen is still with us, as is Krishna.  We have undercoated the exterior, and almost the inside, if only Kevin had stayed a few more days!  We have, thanks to Neil set in the beautiful new deck prisms. Jerry helped install the new stern tube, a difficult job as it was only 2mm greater in diameter than the previous one.  All the brass work has been cleaned and polished, Gill’s trusty Dremel was put through its paces again. The brightwork is being varnished by Krishna and Stephen. 

Next big job is the engine bed, we have Rob lined up.  Not looking forward to it, but hopefully it will be simpler than I think…

Hopefully the next blog will not take so long to write!