Today, Nick and I spent a very productive day at Dadford's, but let me first give you an update of Ian's progress while I have been away.

The front end footings are now formed in place and welded as well as the triangular floor in the forecabin. The footings are also connected to those under the back cabin subject to a bit more welding to complete. A major achievement has been the fitting and welding of the large majority of the new guard, using FOP material which was specially rolled some years ago.

In addition Ian has made and tacked in place the floor stiffeners which are at the same level as the keelson. The next job is to fit some additional pieces of angle to support the floor edges, which have been measured up and marked.

Today Ian patched two rust holes in the front bulkhead of the back cabin where the gunwales join up. Then Nick fitted the final pieces of the wooden gunwales, having primed the metal with red lead. With his brush in hand Nick then red leaded the gas locker, inside and out having wire brushed it first. The cloud of rust dust while doing this was so impressive we lost Nick for a few seconds !!

Meanwhile Ian and I had sentenced 5 of the knees as being too far gone, so with the aid of the oxy propane torch we burnt out the few rivets which were still holding and the knees detached. In a number of cases the sides behind the knees have had to be patched as the metal is very thin. The knees have been ground back and primed and will be re-fitted shortly.

Most of the seam welding has been completed particularly the join between the footings and the bottom, arguably the most critical and stressed joint on the boat.

Once the knees are back in and all of the seam welding finished we can start thinking about painting the inside of the new bottom and the new footings with 2 pack epoxy coal tar.

So in summary, good progress has been made and we are in sight of the end of the steelwork and can start thinking about a re-launch date.

We are not having any specific working parties this coming weekend but after that there will be formal working parties every weekend from the 8th/9th July for the next 4 weekends and also informal working parties during those weeks for those of us who laughingly call themselves retired.

We have an enormous amount to do in roughly a month before the boats go to Reading, so we really do need your help during this period. The skills will be largely DIY and painting but none the less important for that.

It is highly likely that if Kildare is not ready, w/c 7th August, then the trip to Reading will be pulled, so if you have any time to give please let me know by E Mail - rob ( at ) cromptonsboat.fsnet.co.uk or by phone - 07779 157165

Many Thanks

Bob Crompton