Brief updates Some detail photos that I liked from low in the bilge. We also “lost” our shed companion today, with the 1930’s Blunt built couta boat Hettie heading back to its preferred environment after 18 months receiving a nice deck update and other maintenance. Covered in the next post, but providing a bit of space down the starboard side for the moment.

Generally, we are nearly complete for the port side ribs, with five remaining to be replaced, and three of these already having one lamination in place – so seven individual pieces to steam in all. Happily, only one or two of these are difficult, although even the short ones right aft can be challenging, partly as they require the blunt force expert (me) to reach well outside the handrail at 8 feet above the concrete floor below. Not for long, however. Some images below, to show where we are at. I did manage to give it a good vacuum/clean, and this has helped to lower the general level of dust for a day at least, and revealing the timber nicely. The last of the apple cores, rotten timber and other detritus from 35+ years of backyard living has finally been removed.

This was shortly after the good clean out. It contrasts nicely the new steam bent ribs, the original kauri planking, original hardwood keel and floors and keel bolt heads. The keel in particular is remarkable, given it was deeply buried in various damp wood and leaf matter for many years. I understand the keel bolts may have been replaced during the 1940’s, so while they may not be original, they are nevertheless > 75 years old at least. We haven’t tried to move them as yet. This is clearly the area where the engine will be refitted.

It can be seen in this image above that the floors are fastened with roved nails, which is not a feature of many (any) of the original fastenings that we can identify. They may have been refastened at some point. Ignore the toe of my boot.

View of the bilge from midships, looking aft. Again, showing floors, new ribs, internal planking surfaces in reasonable shape. Iphone camera showing its capability in these shots, given the light in this location isn’t great.

Given the shed arrangement, it has been a bit difficult to take a starboard view. Unsurprisingly, not much different from the port view, but does have better light! Particularly at 8.00am, with the sun still coming in the front door. Clearly evident here are the new ribs for the front third of Wyruna, with the first 15 (of 53) done on this side. They are temporarily fastened. New stem in good display here also, adding some nice stiffness and weight to the bow.