Butty Stretching - Part 3

We have had a busy week at Sheet Stores on the Erewash Canal.

The boys keep everyone under close surveillance in the sunshine

'Echoes' - the butty, is almost complete, having been chopped in half and a section of 19 feet added to bring the overall length to around 60 feet.

The stern - including Boatman's Cabin, safe behind the closed door!

The first day in the workshop, the butty was carefully positioned with the floor plate lined up.  It was then welded into place.  We couldn't believe how quickly Paul and his team got on with the job!

The bow containing everything else which wouldn't fit in the Boatman's Cabin!

The following 2 days, bit by bit the sides and finally the bow of Echoes, were attached to the floor plate and all at once we had a recognisable boat.

Comfortably Numb ready for it's turn in the beauty parlour!

Meanwhile, Richard and Paul pulled the big boat out for some much needed attention.  The blacking is meant to be done every 2 years really, but we had left both boats for nearly 3.  Some radical attention was needed, considering the miles and locks which we cover in the season!

First a really good pressure wash fetches all the sludge and loose paintwork off

After leaving the bodywork to dry, the first coat of hull blacking goes on

We managed to get 3 coats on the hull to prepare it for another 2 years in the water.  Also, we sanded and reglossed the gunwhale (level part of the side below the green cabin sides) and the band above the blacked hull.  The tunnel bands had a sand and repaint to spruce them up.

Nearly structurally complete, Echoes is really starting to look good!

Yesterday, the rudder on the big boat had some radical improvements done after finding that the post holding it was slightly bent! This was taken off, straightened and new bearings put in the top of the rudder.
We always have to be careful steering along shallow sections of canal, because we pick up large amounts of rubbish. due to a completely unnecessary drop (2 inch piece of steel!) on the underside of the skeg holding the rudder.  This was cut off and the arm holding the rudder reattached creating a more streamline underside.  No more dredging hopefully!
More pictures to follow in the next part ......