The last few months...

I meant to blog much sooner but…. Life….

I did however write an entry about Blunt’s Boatyard, but never got around to posting it, so here it is:

Being allowed on to the hardstand at Blunts was a mission. When James went knocking more than 10 years ago to ask about apprenticeships he was told a resounding NO. When he decided that it was time to rebuild Tai Taki he knew there was only one place he wanted to be, and went knocking again. The answer was

a similarly adamant NO and James was once again looking at the wrong side of the gate.

Blunts Boatyard is the oldest working boatyard in Melbourne (I think). It has been a family affair since 1858... moving from Geelong to Williamstown c.1880. Blink and you could almost miss the quiet entrance, sitting on the waterfront between the Sea Scouts and clean and shiny yard next door.

It's not whitewashed, does not generally cater to fibreglass or steel, but is ALIVE with characters, creativity, passion and productivity, and a haven from the tourists and pram pushing mummies that pound the pavement outside the gates. An old apricot tree sits by the ‘Smoko Hut’, and while it is buried under bitumen still bears the sweetest fruit. A walk to the end of the jetty reveals a kickass view of the city skyline. The men revel in the smell and beauty of huon pine, horde tools that have been passed down through the generations, make crass jokes and sometimes try not to swear in front of ladies. Above all they love their boats. After some persistence and a lot of luck, Tai Taki was granted entrance - the only steel boat in the yard!

There is absolutely NO WAY we could have progressed very far with the rebuild if it hadn't been for Blunts and the people there. MASSIVE gratitude to you all for your encouragement and support.

That was October. The boat seemed to be progressing at a glacial pace, yet we still had hope for a Christmas Launch. Unfortunately Christmas came and went, along with New Year, birthdays, funerals, Australia Day, Labour Day and now Easter. It’s Easter Sunday today actually. I’ve returned to the blogosphere to give my neck a rest as I have been hunched over the sewing machine all day trying to make some seat covers for the saloon. Whowouldathunk sewing a few rectangular bits together could be so difficult? But as I am typing away Mrs Duck is valiantly unpicking all my stitches because I managed to sew 4 out of the 8 covers inside out. F*ck.

As for the rest, a pre-Christmas headache has turned into a 3 month migraine. Despite the combined efforts of 2 intelligent men, the measurements were somehow taken incorrectly and the centreboard sleeve was made 300mm too short. The sleeve was the solution to the corroded interior of the actual centreboard case – it was much too hard to clean the depth/length of it so a plan was hatched to manufacture a sleeve and slide it inside the existing case and weld it shut. Then a new, thinner centreboard would be made up to fit in it’s new home. We burned $1000 the day it came back and realised it was too short, there was nothing to do but order a new one. It is now March 23… There is a charge in the air with the changing of the seasons. I am enjoying the crunchy leaves underneath my feet and like to see them swirl around in the wake of these city cars but it is also depressing to know we have missed the Summer we so wanted…and tick tock we are still awaiting the new case. This is truly an aggravation as it has severely disrupted the intended work flow and delayed the launch date.

We are continuing with other necessary jobs but in complete frustration as they are things that can be done in the water. Garry (James' dad) - is rewiring and installing the lighting and James continues with a never ending array of tasks.

May 17

The new centreboard sleeve finally arrived and preparations made to have the boat lifted onto the case. The crane comes on Monday! The men decided it would also be wise to take the opportunity to pull out the old motor and replace it with the Yanmar that has been sitting in the OTHER boat, the one that sits unfinished in James' mum's front garden with weeds growing all around it.

Question: How far away from finishing are you
Response: Another month hopefully

This has been the answer for the last year or so but now I think it may actually be close to the truth...

The lighting and wiring has been finished, which was a more detailed task than first thought - surprise surprise. Final coats of paint and varnish soon. As soon as the new sleeve is in the keel can be properly cleaned up and the launch party can be planned. Wish us luck!

chOnt