Open Day Prep

We will be running an Open Day tomorrow so today was spent cleaning up and preparing for visitors.

Tidying up

Dust covers were removed from boats, floors cleared and information sheets set out.

The workshop hasn't been this tidy since we moved in a couple of years ago.

Concrete Smashed

All the concrete we wanted to remove has now been broken out and the rebar cut. We now have wider access at ground level for moving boat trolleys in and out of this storage area. 

We are putting the finishing touches to Saga. The rear of the centre-board case has had a metal plate replaced and the chain-plates have been re-attached to the hull. The boom is currently being stripped and re-varnished.

In preparation for an approaching Open Day we have replaced bits of some boats currently being stripped and smartened up some of the tools.

Smashing Concrete

A while ago we removed some of the internals walls to permit better access to one of the side storage areas. The internal walls were built on top of a concrete footing which is reinforced concrete. While the walls were easily removed the concrete footing has remained in place until now. The footing sticks out and is a trip hazard but also narrows the gap into the storage area for trolleys.

We used a demolition hammer to break up the concrete, even then it took over 6 hours to break up about 800mm of footing. The rebar will be cut out next and a final bit of fettling should see this job completed.

While some of us were making lots of dust and noise others were trying to clean up some of the boats in preparation for restoration work. The Grieve dinghy was washed and hoovered out today (they were a way off from the demolition work).

We are preparing for an Open Day so some tidying up was also undertaken today.

After the holidays

Last week a lot of volunteers were unavailable; vacation, sailing or whatever but things started returning to normal this week.

A discussion on what to do next with Nellie occupied some time. The discussion revolved around how we could best display the steam engine and boiler. While ashore the boiler is far too heavy to leave in the boat without special support but we could possibly re-install the steam engine.

Further work was identified on Laverne. A thaft requires replacing as do a number of ribs.

Work continues on Saga. This week the rudder fittings (pintel and gudgeon) were re-installed and measurements taken for re-installation a metal strip on the aft end of the centreboard case and also the chainplates.

Tidy up

An easy morning (it was raining outside) mostly spent tidying up and reorganising after returning from the Orkney Classic Motor Show last weekend. 

Storm Floris

With the end of the Orkney Classic Motor Show on Sunday afternoon we were keen to get Nellie back inside at the Old Herring Factory as Storm Floris was set to arrive Monday morning with 50kt winds.

Off loading back at the Old Herring Factory

Boat on Display

This weekend is the Orkney Classic Motor Show and OHBS is displaying the First World War launch Nellie together with parts of her steam propulsion system.

Setting up at the Auction Mart in Kirkwall.