Yearly Archives: 2013

Mast & boom on

By | November 26, 2013

Nothing could equal the excitement of the launch but it was still great to fit the mast, all 17.6 metres of it. As the base is about 1.8 metres above water we are going to need some pretty high bridges in order to fit under! The first fitting allowed the rigging to be marked for… Read More »

Safe In The Harbour at last!

By | November 9, 2013

Here’s some pics … (video soon … when we catch our breath!) Shortly after 6 pm Thursday 7/11/13, Bossa Nova was launched.  What a journey.  The weather was kind, our last-minute helpers out in full force (thankyou John, Tim, Tony and Chris) and Mick our crane drive gently lowered Bossa Nova in to the water… Read More »

The day has come!

By | November 7, 2013

We can’t believe it, the day has finally come when we launch Bossa Nova.  Fingers crossed and our rig will be on as well.  After a few false starts this week beyond our control, our crane man is booked for late this afternoon. What a journey this has been and while keeping this blog up… Read More »

Talk About A Road Trip!

By | November 5, 2013

I suppose the video tells half the story, so I wil try and fill in the blanks.   This trip had been long anticipated and very much planned for.  We had selected Glen from Oversize Transport Service to do the job and what a good choice that turned out to be. From the moment he… Read More »

Somers to Yaringa

By | November 3, 2013

Well the day finally came, after almost 3 years, Bossa Nova had to finally leave it’s nest in our paddock and journey down the road to the Yaringa Marina, ready for its launch in a few days…

On the move …

By | November 3, 2013

A few pics …  Neville is still on a high from the buzz of this morning (and now organising the tender), so his thoughts will follow.

Countdown on!

By | October 29, 2013

After rain last week we decided to postpone the launch.  Main concern was getting the intraprotect & antifoul on in the dry.  Not to be.  Gives is breathing space to do all those little things … and even oil the cockpit teak?  Two thoughts on this, we will see!

So close now!

By | October 26, 2013

Last Sunday we had 30 degrees here.  Come Monday, it had all changed.  Rain, wind, hail and cold!  Delaying things by a week isn’t really that bad in a 3 year project.  So, the countdown is on!  We have days of sunny forecast late next week (at last) which is just what we need to… Read More »

The heat is on!

By | October 22, 2013

So close now.  Spent the weekend pulling out all the old boat gear, sorting new boat gear, and all those jobs that just don’t seem to go away.  Great weather, ground dry and great for washing the decks.  Our new rib arrived.  No one was allowed to touch it, Tim’s job.  Set it up on… Read More »

Jobs Jobs … and more jobs but …

By | October 14, 2013

Lots of things to do but the list is shrinking and not too fat now.  Today was spent ‘tweeking’ the cupboard doors, polishing & cleaning inside AND watching our boat finally be given its name!!  Very exciting.  After a false start on Friday our signwriter Shane revisited this morning.  (Thousands of trips up and down… Read More »

So close … all a bit scarey!

By | September 30, 2013

We can feel the ‘end’ now.  A rather disconcerting feeling really.  This project has been a huge part of our lives for so long and the thought of it finishing is rather sad … can’t believe I’ve said that!!  No more dirty fingernails or permanently bruised knees, no more aching fingers and sore backs …… Read More »

Before and After!

By | September 27, 2013

Wow … our floors are sealed! Lots of sanding, taping and then our oil sealer.  With the bathroom floor sealed with a polyurethane because it’s in a ‘wet’ area, we decided on an oil product for the main floors.  Easy to put on (one coat), and easy to maintain and recoat if we need to. … Read More »

It’s getting close now!

By | September 14, 2013

We do feel we are close now. Meeting with our transport man today, signwriter yesterday & shower screen fitted yesterday as well.  A few days of ‘finishing’ inside and we’ll be ready to seal the inside teak floors.  They have been sanded so ready to go.  We have even put a mattress in!  Not an… Read More »

An exciting finish to the day

By | August 27, 2013

It really struck home today … the end is near! We have our table in place, ready for bolts through the bridge deck … and we have started sanding the floors!  Starting with the main bathroom and port hull, floors are sanded AND we have our first coat on our bathroom floor.  Looks brilliant! Just… Read More »

Toilet-roll holder on!

By | August 27, 2013

Good to be back on deck with a few days of uninterrupted boat work.  With a break in the weather we ‘fixed’ the main-track and placed the helm seat pedestal. A bit of thought needs to go in to this one as the seat has to be strong and secure. We figure when you are… Read More »

A pig in mud!!

By | August 21, 2013

The tender!!  We visited the Sydney Boat Show last year and one of the items on our ‘shopping list’ was a tender.  Well, our ‘research list’ I mean.  After listening to all the usual players sprout their stuff on the pros and cons of hypalon versus PVC, aluminium versus fibreglass bottom etc etc … and… Read More »

Few ‘little’ jobs

By | August 21, 2013

While the momentum seems to have wavered lately due to work commitments getting in the way, we are hoping we have picked it up again this last week.  With rig here now and all other parts, it’s back to us.  The weather is crappy with an excessive amount of rain over the last few weeks,… Read More »

Collecting my rig!

By | August 20, 2013

Why on earth would you want to go and collect your own rig from Sydney on a very, very long trailer! My only defence is to say that it seemed like a good idea at the time! However, a 12 metre long borrowed trailer does not mix with Melbourne or Sydney traffic that well and… Read More »

Road trip to Sydney

By | August 13, 2013

After many months of researching, Neville decided on a Seldon rig.  He left at 5.30 am yesterday on a road trip with his friend JA to Sydney, to collect his rig.  A very very long trailer in tow!  

We are still here!

By | July 27, 2013

Sorry no posts lately.  Work commitments have overtaken boat building the last month or so. We just today revisited the boat … had to reconnect to ‘where we were at’ … not easy!  Just as well we had some lists. Hopefully more posts soon!!

Armed & Dangerous!!

By | June 11, 2013

Of course Amanda takes most of the photos so obviously doesn’t appear in many. Here are a couple of telling snaps from my phone, and I should add that anyone out there thinking of a project like ours, find a partner up for this type of work if you can! Apart from the stanley knife… Read More »

Squeezing in a few boat days …

By | June 11, 2013

Winter is here, but with a few sunny dry days on the radar and a long weekend, we have managed to squeeze in a few boat working days.  So outside jobs it is! Neville worked on the cabin roof solar panels and then installed the safety rail on the port side.  Hoping this rail does… Read More »

Going slow!

By | June 6, 2013

Work?  A priority at the moment so going very slow on the boat unfortunately … so close!  Back full on in July we hope.  Winter weather not too exciting anyway.  Did manage to squeeze in the engine hatch handles & hinges in our teak cockpit floor.  Real test will be testing that they are waterproof. … Read More »

Cockpit teak

By | May 13, 2013

A big few days!  Sanding our cockpit teak was a big job.  We had a run of fine weather s outside jobs became a priority.  Looks fantastic!!

Doors … !!!!!!

By | May 8, 2013

Doors … what a royal PAIN!! I think today was taken up with doors and only doors … do they fit, will they shut properly, do they hit the bench, do they hit the bench when the handle is down, does the handle stick out too far, shit … the light switch is behind the… Read More »

More doors on!

By | May 5, 2013

How many door frames do you want to see? We keep trying to photograph new and interesting things , but some days are just “more of the same”. There are six internal aluminium door frames, so whilst the first is exciting, you can’t say the same for the other five! At least the bifolds are… Read More »

One of the worst things …

By | May 5, 2013

One of the worst things about building a boat is that you listen to the radio a lot … and we listen to AFL football … and we barrack for the Demons … arrrrrghhhh!!!! … and guys like pies … only a matter of time before the real sauce bottle got confused with the acetone… Read More »

4 Weeks

By | April 28, 2013

I think it has been “4 weeks” for several weeks now. Big week last week.  Our teak floors are completed (sanding and sealing to come), door frames and doors started to be hung, battery box complete, ceiling panels all up including trim kits, teak shelf edges organised, cockpit hatches hinged and the list goes on,… Read More »

Yes … we are still here!

By | April 16, 2013

It’s great that people are following our journey … we know they are because we have been reminded we are sacking off with the updates!  has been a few weeks.  So here we are … Everyone is asking, “when are launching?”  We don’t know, but it IS close.  All the jobs we are doing now… Read More »

The Boss …. a ….

By | March 30, 2013

Easter is here and work is continuing… Our teak cockpit floor is well on the way, fridge has had it’s final fit, floors prepared for carpet in the cabins, engine hatches being fitted and cabins getting their final-fit-out with ceiling panels, bed-head, hatch trims and lights.  Oh so satisfying!  All those months of designing, building… Read More »

City visit …

By | March 21, 2013

It is very worthwhile checking out other boats.  There’s lots of decisions along the way but it can be the simple things that become important because they are critical to how you sail and use your boat.  Placement of cleats, rope organisers, rope bags, cockpit drains and bbqs, all are important to get right.  Thankyou… Read More »

The things we do!

By | March 18, 2013

Aghhhh …. Every bone in my body aches!  I love the ‘stand-up’ jobs, the low, tight ones, not so much.  I’ve never seen so many bruises on my legs and knees.  Yesterday was a big day, started at 8.30 and finished at 8.30pm. Washed the decks and scrubbed the cockpit.  It had become the sawmill… Read More »

Hot but work goes on!

By | March 13, 2013

More work on our teak floors yesterday in our run of nine over 30 degree days, it got to 38 degrees yesterday!  Teak has now been laid right through the saloon, so today is finishing the starboard steps and adding the silver ash curved pieces around the margin boards.  A frypan on a camping stove… Read More »

Moving Outside

By | March 12, 2013

Teak floor a slow job but looking fantastic and nearly complete.  Then the cockpit.  Our icebox is on the way, lots of shaping and sanding.  Our shelves are all in, just a few edge trims to go. More importantly, the big jobs are now outside ones (because the inside ones are finished).  Lots of tweaking… Read More »

Timber …

By | March 5, 2013

Our floors inside are nearly complete.  The galley and our starboard steps are happening as I type.  After a hectic few days tracking down some silver ash we are back on track.  Lesson learned … order plenty in the first place! The cockpit ice-box is ready for some ‘coving’ (Amanda’s forte) and then some floor… Read More »

Trims & icebox

By | February 26, 2013

We have designed vinyl trims that cover the gap between the overhead ply vinyl panels and hull fibreglass … and they work!  The concern was that we needed them to be removable because various bolts are under them.  Must always plan for leaks!  So using ‘decorative’ stainless bolts, making them a feature, we have attached… Read More »

Vrooom …..

By | February 19, 2013

How exciting!…We actually started the motors today. With plastic tubs to represent the water we hope to float on, and 20 litres of fuel in each tank the man from Yanmar hit the key and the port motor immediately roared into life. a few nervous moments and a bit of priming saw the cooling water… Read More »

Long days … and nights!

By | February 16, 2013

I guess the only way to reduce the long long list of things still to do is to put in the hours…. and hours… and hours! The teak floor is progressing through the boat with the bathroom, both midship areas and half the lounge substantially done. The bandsaw you can see in the cockpit really… Read More »

Getting to the ‘pointy’ end!

By | February 12, 2013

Still heaps to do BUT … we do feel we can see the light. Our teak floors are being laid in the saloon, with the inside steps and cockpit next.  Both mid-ships and bathroom floors all but completed. The sealing of these floors will be ‘last’. Ceiling panels, upholstery, bed-heads and cabinetry all complete, all… Read More »

Ceiling and floors

By | February 1, 2013

Our ceiling panels, bedheads and upholstery are all completed.  All looking great.  Teak trims hopefully added this week.  Teak floors completed in the hulls, with the saloon next.  A lot of grinding to prepare the floor this weekend.  Every time I think I’ve seen the last of grinding, there’s yet another job.  An awful job! … Read More »

Ceiling panels arriving …

By | January 23, 2013

Much anticipation with our ceiling panels.  All the prep work is done.  Panels are arriving slowly.  Very happy with the shape and colour so far.  If they all fit like the ones we have fitted so far, they will look great.  Really ‘finish’ the boat.  We are using the Fastmount system to fix them.  Means… Read More »

And the list goes on … and on …

By | January 15, 2013

The list does go on and on, but we do feel like we are making progress … even experiencing our first (I’m sure not last) leak! We have added trims around all the cupboard door openings now, along with latch blocks & hinges & doors.  Lots of sticky white fingers, and hair, and fingernails with… Read More »