A Sunny Weekend...

Last weekend the weather was breathtaking, after what seemed like two months of non stop rain it has been wonderful! Luckily Simon had the weekend off so we were able to enjoy the lovely weather together. So we spent our time working on Sylmara which has been lovely and rewarding. Things are starting to take shape, Simon has and does work most days on the boat when he has spare time but he isn't the tidiest of creatures! ;) I never used to be but lately I cant seem to work properly unless everything is in order.

So firstly I helped Simon to clear out all the crap he has been hoarding on the boat since we got her. I made sure that his tool box is more accessible and he can actually put things away. The difference is remarkable. I also cleaned the inside of the boat which made such a difference, I wiped down the ceiling and wood and it looks so much better and smells better too!

So we got on with sanding, varnishing and painting! It was so lovely to be able to sit on the boat in such gorgeous weather, in between working , Simon made me a little cosy spot on the back on the boat where I could sit and chill in the sun. Absolute Bliss!

 

 

Simon got cracking on making some more shelving and locker lids for putting items away in. Also Simon came across a lovely surprise, he had to take one of the painted panels of the walls to fit the cupboard in and in doing so he discovered the original name plates! which obviously we put back on straight away, what is so lovely is that the colour is the same as the yellow we painted the boat.

Such a lovely surprise, I also attacked some of the brass on the boat with some brasso and it came up a treat! Sylmara is constant , something always requires work and attention, but it is so rewarding. Owning a wooden boat is not easy , it can but very frustrating at times with it is well worth it!!

I hope you got to enjoy the sunshine too! If so what did you get up too?

Jessica

A days work with my Muma

A couple of weeks ago I went and spent the day with my Mum and her partner Dee at their place of work. They run their own business which is far from ordinary. My Mum / Kay is a very talented seamstress she used to make ; Curtains, baby clothes, Wedding dresses and now she makes Yurts! Well they mainly work with canvas so they make canvas covers for Yurts. Tipee's, Gur's all sorts.
In the last few years we have seen "Glamping" - Glamorous camping become increasing popular, lots of festivals now cater for "Boutique Camping" fields and fields full of yurts and tipees set up ready for revellers arrival.

So I haven't sewed for a good few years, the last project I distinctly remember working on was in my late teens I made a pair of high top trainers (using my friends pumps which she left at my house! oops) This project took me about three days and I did all the sewing by hand and I loved it. They had inrdescant tounges, gol stitching of my intinials on the back and a flash of purple. They proved very popular at fancy dress partys people asking where I got them from! Anyway my sewing experience is limited and my Mother is a bit of a perfectionist not surprisingly.

To begin with my Mum gave me some very simple sewing exercises to practice, literally just sewing in a straight line on the canvas without going off! I had never used an industrial sewing machince before, what I can liken it too is braking on a car (which isn't something that I am great at!) Obviously learning to apply the right amount of pressure on the pedal without running my fingers over. I found it easiest when I took my shoe off and just wore my socks. But actually I was quite impressed with the results my sewing was surprisingly neat and straight.

My first practice piece.

This was slightly harder, I had to sew hems , I had to fold the material as well as sewing it in a straight line. I think because I am left handed this was a bit tricky at first but I carried on.

Excited that I wasn't a complete failure at sewing I asked my Mum if could make a canvas bag. She showed my a very simple way to make a bag which didn't involve any cutting at all. Just some very simple sewing! Firstly we decided on the size of the bag and obviously the colour of the canvas (the picked my favourite colour!) then I folded the canvas at the top and the bottom and sewed the folded material, to strengthen the bag. Then we sewed the sides together, and we then measured the bottom and drew a diagonal line which we then sewed across and then cut the excess off. After doing this on both sides we turned the bag in side out (but the right way) and voilà! A bag, so just added handles and your bag is ready to use!

I Love it, and have used it pretty much everyday since I made it!!

Today was a little taster to see how I got on and if I can actually sew, My mum and her partner are moving to a bigger unit as their current unit is to small and business is busy :) I am hoping tat after they move I can go at least once a week and start making things for Sylmara. (with my mums help of course!) One thing in particular is our cockpit cover which is literally falling apart, so we shall definitely need a new one. However myself and simon have been thinking and we like the idea of not just a cover but more of a tent of the bacl of the boat. So on a evening we can sit and dine under the cover, kinda like an exstenstion on your house like a conservatory. We have had a little look online at some images, so now it is just a question of designing it and trying to make it.

This is similar to what we are thinking of, I think it looks great and it practical as well, adds character to the boat. The photo below is a picture of my own tent and that my Mum me for Christmas a couple of years ago. The whole idea came about as a joke when I said to Simon we could stick my tent on the back , but actually it could work with some adjustments , of course.

The rest of the afternoon was spent putting up a Gur! which was extremely fun and not as hard as it looks. Here are some photos for you to enjoy....

We didn't put the walls on they just wanted to test the roof and to see if it fit properly , also the sun was started to go down. haha I had a wonderful helping my Muma and Dee, also quite an inspiring day too!

What do you think of our boat cover idea? Let me know...

Jessica

Re Launch - She Floats!

In October our little baby was put back in the water which was very exciting to say the least. I had the day off work and Simon was given the afternoon off to help with the proceedings. Our good friend Mattie came down for moral support, which was lovely.

As you can see from the photo the weather was stunning, clear blue skies. Whilst Simon was getting the launch ready to meet the boat, Simon Beer was getting Sylmara ready to be lifted in. My main concern at this point was that I would have to be on board whilst the boat was being lifted into the air, not being good with heights this made me quite nervous! Luckily this wasn't necessary, I was able to stay feet firmly on the ground.

Watching her perched in the air before going into the water was quite a sight, I was terrified they were going to drop her, but obviously they didn't!

Once in the Sylmara was in the water , I got into the work boat with Simon and he took me along side Sylmara where I climbed on board. At this point we had attracted a crowd of local people from outside the Lifeboat Station watching our efforts. No pressure then! Once I was onboard , Simon Beer released Sylmara we tried her to the work boat and together we steered her to the pontoon. It was such a lovely feeling to have her on the water and under helm.

 

We made it to the pontoon with no difficulties, Matthew was waiting to take our lines. What could of been a stressful event, went quite smoothly and was even enjoyable!

APART from Simon forgetting to shut the seacocks and creating a waterfall inside our boat!! Honestly he really is quite blonde at times, so after that crisis was averted, the boat seemed absolutely fine and she wasn't taking on any water at all. We checked her a couple of times in the evening but she was still afloat and happy!

 

It was and is a great feeling to see Sylmara back in the water, she looks fantastic! As you may remember she was painted white before, but you can see from the photos we chose to paint her a primrose yellow colour. As beautiful as her varnished hull was, the upkeep would be extremely demanding, so we decided to keep the coachouse natural and to paint the hull. I think she looks lush, what do you think??

 

It was a wonderful day to see our boat back in the water where she belongs and now we can go sailing !! The evening was finished off by the most incredible sunset!