2357Hrs – Warm Down Below

I’m glad I got the paint on when I did because the weather is on the slide again. It’s been much colder and damper these last few days and the forecast is for even colder conditions with sleet and snow. We’ll see what happens but I figured I’d make some preparations for it by closing some more holes in the galley saloon area.

I’ve now fitted the long fixed window on the outboard side of the cabin top, the two round forward facing perspex ports and the hatch over the saloon. It’s surprising what a difference it’s made despite there still being a big gaping hole where the companionway is. It has stopped the cold draughts blowing through and with a little fan heater going it was getting very toasty! If the temperatures do take a tumble I can even throw an old blanket over the companionway and I’ll be able to work in comfort… excellent!

I also fitted a couple of the fixed ports up in the bow compartments and the opening port over the nav station in the starboard hull. Whilst fitting the fixed ports I noticed that I actually have two slightly different designs, three of each. The external dimensions are the same but internally three of them are slightly more rounded. I bought them all at Beaulieu Boat Jumble about 4 years ago and never spotted it. I’m not fussed though it’s just mean that the port and starboard hulls will have slightly different ports and it’ll take someone with a keen eye to spot it.

On a completely different subject the timber for the beams arrived today at long last. I’ve got it all stowed safely in the barn and it’s my intention to add one layer to a beam during every work session until they’re done. There are 16 layers in total so I estimate it’ll take me three weeks to complete the job.