The Launch

Having been away for a couple of weeks we returned yesterday to find that ACHERNAR was launched last Monday and is now afloat in Glascote Basin. Steve Hudson has taken some photos for us as we were unable to be there. The process of battening out has begun and the intention is for the spray foam insulation to be applied later this week or early next week. We have also added to the specification the requirement for navigation lights to be installed. The next step is The Crick Boat Show where we intend to view lots of boats to see if we wish to make any small adjustments. On the shopping list is Smartguage and a seagull water purifier. We will also be checking out solar charging systems and satellite tv.

Steelwork Stage One

Friday 19th April

Today started full of anticipation as I set off from Kent at 8am heading for Tamworth. In the boot of the car was the Zanussi washing machine that I was going to deposit at Hudsons boatyard. The M25 was surprisingly free flowing so good time was made via the M1/M6/M42 arriving at Glascote Basin at 1045 am.
On arrival I could see that the boatyard was quite full with boats including a number that were in build.

Hudson Boatbuilders at Glascote Basin

Steve Hudson was with other customers when I arrived so I had a short wait during which time I was able to view a boat within the paint shed. I was itching to get inside the steel shed to see Achernar and after what was only 5 mins but seemed an age Steve took me inside to see how our boat was progressing.



Distinctive Bow of a Hudson with 15mm Base Plate







Side View of Bow



Bow Thruster Tube

I had read earlier during my research days that there is a slightly higher risk of the bow thruster tube being perforated and that although this is rare I would rather mitigate this risk so I have specified a watertight bulkhead to be fitted between the bow thruster tube and the rest of the boat.



Well Deck showing Bow Thruster Hatch

 


Stern showing part of the 14' swims



Rear Engine Room which will house the Beta 43 Engine

Front Roof Section - Showing slots for Prisms

Roof Section being raised - Showing Prism slots and Houdini Hatch cutout

Side View showing Ports and (Rivets)

Internal View showing Floor Bearers

Once the steelwork has been completed some of the floor bearers will be altered to allow the stainless steel holding tank to rest on the base plate. This should increase its volume thereby increasing the periods between pump outs.

Steve estimates that the shell will be finished in about two weeks which is good news. On the flip side that means the next stage payment is due. Now looking forward to Crick to source some equipment at hopefully show prices.

Hospital Silencer

Wednesday 10th April

Received a call today to ask whether we wanted a hospital silencer fitted to Achernar.
This was something we had researched in the early days of our planning but had forgotten about as we focused on the more interesting aspects of the build. Steve Hudson informed me that the engine bay needs to be configured slightly differently to fit the silencer which is much larger than normal and that retro fitting the item would be difficult.
If we have moored up in a peaceful location the last thing we want is to listen to a noisy engine charging the batteries and we certainly don't want to inflict our noise on others so the decision is to have a hospital silencer fitted from new.
We were also told that the steelwork is progressing well so I intend to travel to Tamworth next week to photograph the progress.

Contract

Friday 22nd March

Just a short post today. Had a call from builder Steve Hudson www.smhudson.co.uk to tell me that contract and payment schedule were in the post. The steel for the construction has arrived at the yard and the work has commenced. I have been told that by Easter week our steel will begin to appear boat shaped so a visit to Tamworth is on the cards with photos to follow.

Still A Gongoozler

Tuesday 12th March

Woke this morning to see everything covered with snow. In Kent we had a decent covering but the howling wind had blown it into small drifts causing the usual chaos on the roads. I thought/hoped we had seen the last of it for this year. Someone however was having a ball.
 

DYLAN enjoying the snow

Once playtime was over it was off to work for me. Today was going to take me to the canal village of Stoke Bruerne. It is still a couple of weeks until the base plate for Achernar is laid so I am still officially a gongoozler.



A view of top lock from the Navigation Inn

   

Leaking gates I believe are the norm



Boats moored above top lock

Lunch venue

           I have lunched previously at both the Boat Inn and the Navigation Inn on the other side of the bridge.

A view of Top Lock from the Canal Museum

Overall an enjoyable visit to give me a temporary fix of the canals until it becomes our permanent lifestyle. By the way when do I cease to be a gongoozler? When the base plate is laid or when the boat is complete?

Delivery of appliances

Saturday 2nd March

Today is delivery day for a number of appliances that will be built into Achernar as the build progresses. The ordering process was fairly painless being able to do it all online and we have been able to arrange for the deliveries to all be made on the same day. However the time period ranges from 0700 to 1900 which would be slightly more tolerable if there was some six nations rugby to watch - ho hum.

Anyway back to the items. We have ordered a 9" Francis searchlight to adorn the front of the boat. This will be sent directly to the boatbuilder nearer the completion date. I have read numerous comments on forums about boaters being blinded in tunnels by oversized tunnel lights but I do think they look good on the front of a boat. I will however ensure that the light is angled up and right to try and mitigate the effect upon oncoming boats.



9" Francis searchlight being supplied by Paul Westby

The other items ordered include a Zanussi ZWC1301 washing machine, a Candy OVG505/3N gas oven, a Bosch gas hob and the new Dyson digital cordless vacuum cleaner. 



Zanussi ZWC1301






Candy OVG505/3N






Dyson DC44 digital

I can report that all the items expected arrived in good condition. Once checked all were re-packed ready to be delivered to Steve Hudson as and when he requires them.

Final design meeting

Saturday 16th February

Following the phone call from our boat builder during our week long cruise we visited Steve Hudson at his boatyard at Glascote basin in Tamworth. This was to be our final design meeting prior to the build commencing. We were pleased that except for some minor alterations in the positioning of some appliances in the galley everything was in order. Steve told us that the build will begin at the end of March.
Needless to say we are both thrilled that the next stage of the process is about to start and that all our requirements have been achieved in budget.