Page updated 10 August 2023
Looking Inside After the Move
The day after the boat arrived I had a chance to take our step ladder to the yard and climb aboard and take a few photos. Opening the door to the aft cabin I found a pile of assorted materials on the bed. There was more on the floor as well, but the first two photos you see here do not show that too well.
Carpet tiles, ensign, steps, saloon cushions, boat covers and more were piled on the bed in the aft cabin.
When viewing the boat and during the river trial I had failed to get a photograph of what was called the "dressing table" in the lay-out diagrams of the boat.
With the cabin door closed behind me the "dressing table" was revealed, in reality it's just a shelf. I recall a dressing table as a piece of bedroom furniture that was similar to a desk having drawers and cupboards either side of a central knee hole. they were designed to be placed facing a window and always had a large mirror above the table top. Often there were further mirrors to each side that were angled inwards. Ladies would sit at them to work at their hair and make up and consider the jewellery to be worn with their outfit. This "dressing table", and those found on most boats of the period, seemed to lack almost all the features of a dressing table as I remember them.
The very home made looking mounting plate for the new heater control was a bit of a disappointment.
In taking the photo of the "dressing table" I noticed a sign I had not seen before.
But enough of dressing tables! The first thing I wanted to see once inside the boat was the central heating system that had been replaced since our River Trial. Now there is a new rotary control mounted on a wooden block. The wood work looked a little crude but, presumably, was needed to cover the hole needed for the original larger control panel. Replacing that wooden block with something that looks more in keeping with the neighbouring bilge pump switch will go on my list of potential improvements.
Getting the new Webasto central heating unit installed had cost over £2,000, a considerable sum, when the Chinese make units that are only a few hundred pounds. However, I have been told that a good reason for not buying the Chinese units is that they are not certified for marine use so, although it's an unlikely event, should one cause a fire your insurance is unlikely to pay out on any claim.
Under the shelf was a cupboard door with a notice on it that, once I read it, I realised must, like the notice by the helm, be another dating from the boat's days on hire. the notice by the helm states the boat may only be taken under Potter Heigham Bridge with a pilot aboard, while this one warns of the dangers of storing inflammable materials near the heater.
Opening the cupboard I could finally see see how our money had been spent. Not that I've yet worked out how to operate it. The documentation I found on board appears more concerned with installation of the unit than operating it. Maybe the old manuals that I picked up in March will help me out.
The newly fitted Webasto Air Top 2000 STC unit and the various pipes and cables to which it is connected.
Moving forward and into the galley, we find more carpet tiles lifted and sitting on the draining board and, ahead, the engine with missing gearbox exposed. Ahead of that, on a rubber mat on the shelf to the left of the wheel, are resting the various parts of the windscreen wiper about which I was so concerned on the boat's arrival in Norfolk.
The engine cover and shelf above have been removed to expose the engine, devoid of its gearbox.
Awaiting the return of the gearbox - hopefully working by then!.
© boatinland.co.uk
The switch panel beside the wheel that includes a push-button and four switches, one of which is broken.
Moving further forward into the saloon I reach the helm. To the left of the wheel is a switch panel that includes a push-button. Pushing it during our river trial had no effect and I suspect it's not connected to anything as the button for the horn is incorporated into the main instrument panel.
I recall our surveyor saying that he had checked the portable spot- lights. I need to check again but believe they can be mounted on brackets and connect to sockets found outside, above the front windows.
I assume power to those sockets is controlled from that switch panel. The boat also has navigation lights and I guess that they are also controlled from the panel. As hire boats are not allowed to move after dark I have to assume the navigation lights and the panel were fitted after the boat was sold to its first private owner.
Turning round to look astern, you get a better idea of the disruption caused by the work on the gearbox. Cushions, carpet tiles and more litter the galley and aft cabin.
Looking towards the stern you can see how the galley and aft cabin is strewn with cushions, carpet tiles and some of life rings, moved out of the way while work took place on the gearbox.
Continue by reading about how the Old Name was Removed...