Southam came out of the water on 28th December. As I write this we have 1 more day before she returns to her natural element. This phase of work is virtually done now. Next we have to install the engine and rebuild the cabin.
The main job so far has been to strengthen up her stern end so that it will last, perhaps another 10 years, before we have to bite the bullet and rebuild it. Southam is a heavy boat and tends to sag over the blocks when taken out of the water. Last time she was out, in 2019, we replaced 4 straight sideplanks, but, as she emerged, there was a crack and the side bulged out at the point where the forward bulkhead of the back cabin used to be.
This part was weakened when the boat was converted back in 1965. The top bend of the stern was cut off, along with the back cabin, and an engine room built in its place. Now that the old planks were getting tired it gave way with the strain of being hauled out of the water.
The plan now was to clad the exterior with overlapping sheets of steel, bolted through to make a sandwich and all sealed with chalico. Chalico is a heady brew of pitch, tar and horse manure, all boiled up and mixed together to make a sticky waterproof sealant. At the point of weakness, heavier steel plate was to be bolted on, also sealed with chalico. The sagging sides were to be pulled in and a structure is being made to hold them in. Pulling the sides in proved to be more difficult than anticipated, largely because of the way the boat was supported. After jacking part of it up things got easier. As I write this a chain block is still in place, holding her in to 6'6". rather than the 7'9" that she attained when unrestrained. Perhaps the intended structure should be called a corset.
It's surprising how strong an old wooden boat re-enforced in this way can be, but we mustn't forget that after about 10 years it will need a proper rebuild, hopefully re-instating the top bends and back cabin at the same time. I'll be 81 by then so somebody else will have to do it.
We had a couple of problems slipping Southam , A lot of ballast had to be removed to get her on to the trolleys then, as she came up the slip, the stern end trolley started to slip from under the boat. It was OK though, she didn't fall off.
We've had an excellent team. Nessie, Kim, and Aaron. Now Tony Ellams and Helen Kanes have joined us. Dave Buxton has returned from his midwinter sojourn and has started work on making the 'corset'.
One of the Ashton Packet Boats crew enquired as to why we are asking for £5,000 to get Southam into service again. After all, he pointed out, we get our metal sheets for free (true) and our wood for free (partly true, we use as much reclaimed wood as practicable, some of which is free). I explained that installing the engine and building the cabin would cost a lot. The last time we got a coupling repaired on Forget me Not's transmission it cost £300! Whilst some of the cabin building materials are free, if we want them to last every joint will need to be sealed and every surface painted. You soon get through £100 buying paints and sealants. Then, of course, there's time. We could just rely on volunteers to do the work, but that could drag on for years. In order to get it done in a reasonable timescale then we will need to employ someone to work on the project alongside volunteers.
With slipway fees included we've probably already spent getting on for £1000 already, so, please chip in to the fundraiser.
