Fitting the floor

As Purrrfect she had bow thrusters fitted and the hydraulics ran the length of the boat, this dictated that I would have to raise the floor.
After cutting lengths of 3*2 to size I fixed them to the base struts using 3" stainless steel self tapping screw.
Then I fixed further lengths of 3*2 at 90 degrees to run the length of the boat and clear the hydraulic pipes.
These were also strategically placed to create access panels to the ballast and the hydraulics.

Using 18mm spruce ply, that I had treated on both sides prior to cutting, I created a series of access panels 300mm wide to run the complete length of the boat covering the hydraulics. This gave me a straight line that I used as a datum point for all setting out.
For the rest of the floor I cut panels at 27" centres to align with the ballast and then trimmed them to the width of the boat.
All of the edges were sanded and then treated with yacht varnish.
As the panels were fitted the substructure was adapted to become removable at the access panel positions

Soon the floor was completed and the difference was amazing. I could set up work benches, a mini kitchen from our camping gear and even a chair and small table.

The Story Continues

So we had found the ideal size and style for our boat,we were also offered a mooring by Brinklow Boat Services, where we could work on her whilst she was still in the water.The hull had been blacked and the anodes renewed, she had also had a coat of primer to protect the new steel where the front bulkhead had been moved and of course the areas that had been repaired. The survey report was good and so the new shaped shell was born.
The first thing we had to do was clear some remnants of floor, burnt insulation and debris from the recent works.
We went about this task with vigour, working from the stern to the bow in a very efficient manner.
As we cleared each section I lifted the ballast, 2*2 paving slabs and waxoiled the base plate. Fox and I filled umpteenbags with debris and after a week of evenings we were ready to start work proper.

Frustration

The trouble with blogging from the mobile phone is that you cannot see what your writing as the keyboard hides the script. Please bear with me I have 3 years to catch up but I promise to be brief. Now I am going to learn how to upload photos.....Hopefully

Finding Purrrfect

On the 22ndof May 2010 my wife "Foz" and I Chris purchased a narrowboat shell called Purrrfect The boat had been in a horrendous fire but the hull, engine and most of the steel had survived.
Originally she was a semi-traditional style boat but with the required alterations to correct the damaged steel she became a cruiserstyle. The engine is a beta marine 42 with only 324 hours on the clock and in perfect working order.