Foredeck

At least my new foredeck still looks good! Soon the decks all round will match.

Cutting out the damage

I've removed the damaged hull sections and both side decks plus the aft deck. Everything is ready to be cleaned up now ready to accept the new marine ply. Had to order a sheet of 9mm marine ply for the hull work.

A dark day....................

I stripped back some paint on the top-sides and to my utter dismay the dreaded rot has reared it's ugly head again. I can't dscribe how gutted I felt. Nothing else for it but to get to the bottom of the problem........literally. All the new cabin structure has to come off. A proper inspection of the hull has shown extensive rot to a complete hull panel on the Port side. A small patch forward of the chain-plates and some small areas close to the deck on the Starboard side.

I've decided to renew all of the decks while I'm at it. I've removed the bridge-deck and the rear bulkhead as they just won't be acceptable now.

***NOTE: IN A WAY THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED HERE WERE A BLESSING IN DISGUISE. ONCE I'D REMOVED EVERYTHING I REALISED I'D BEEN CUTTING CORNERS AND HEADING IN THE WRONG DIRCTION ALTOGETHER. IT'S IMPORTANT WITH A PROJECT LIKE THIS TO YAKE PROPER STOCK OF THE SITUATION AND NOT RUSH IN. THEREFORE FROM THIS POINT ONWARDS, THINGS TAKE ON A MORE LOGICAL AND PROFESSIONAL PATH. HOPE YOU'RE ENJOYING MY JOURNEY! Jim. ***