Winter/Lockdown Projects

[Steve509926]

OK I know it's still autumn and technically we're not in a 2nd lockdown (as of 4.30pm Sat 31st), but I've finished the first project of the winter.
As I may have previously mentioned, I wasn't keen on the builders bucket for storing ropes, anchor, bits and bobs at the bow of the SIB I wanted a neater solution. Something that would fit in the dead space between the fuel tank and the bow, in which I could put all the stuff out of the builders bucket and a 5ltr fuel can. I also wanted a bow seat/step so that my better half can easily step off the SIB onto a pontoon.
The bow box/seat is made from 9mm external grade ply, screwed, glued and dowelled. Treated and sealed with zinsser BIN prior to and after assembly, finished with 3 coats gloss. The top/lid is covered with closed cell foam and "leather" pvc. Hard to put a cost on it as I had a lot of the materials already, but it's probably about £20.

[Oldman2]

Looks like just the job, how is it secured to the floor? And apart from the obvious what secures the lid while in forward motion.

[Steve509926]

The lid is held on each side with simple hook and eyes which I think will surfice, but if not I'll fit a couple of small bolts. It's not secured to the floor, the bottom of the box/seat has a lip all the way round that fits under the tubes, that's stops any vertical movement. The strapped in fuel tank stops any horizontal movement.

[pumpkinking]

Looks cracking Steve! Look at that gloss finish! And I say that as a theatre man who’s seen a fair few mirror finish stage floors in his time [emoji6]

[smallribber]

I have just ordered a Cheapish 3D Printer. I thought I would have a go at that. It might end up as a large dust gather on top of the excercise bike but thought I would give it a go

[Fenlander]

A very neat job Steve and useful item to make the best of the often wasted pointy area.

Our Aerotecs come with a similar size/shape bow bag from new but they hang from eyes on the tube tops which means you can't put much weight in them. Also they are in the way if you need to get out over the bow such as on a busy day at a Cornwall visitor pontoon where there is only nose-on space. It looks like you could use yours to step out on.

Sadly... you might say... after a few years refining my outfit reached an "every last thing done" state a year ago with nothing left to do.

So my winter/lockdown will be to re-arrange my vinyl LP collection into alphabetical order by artist... then perhaps by album title... and any spare time after that I could re-sort by genre. Got to keep occupied!

[Steve509926]

"Also they are in the way if you need to get out over the bow such as on a busy day at a Cornwall visitor pontoon where there is only nose-on space. It looks like you could use yours to step out on"

That's exactly what happened at Dittisham this year, Diane wasn't impressed when she nearly fell between the bow and the pontoon, even less so when she saw me laughing

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Sadly... you might say... after a few years refining my outfit reached an "every last thing done" state a year ago with nothing left to do.

So my winter/lockdown will be to re-arrange my vinyl LP collection into alphabetical order by artist... then perhaps by album title... and any spare time after that I could re-sort by genre. Got to keep occupied!

That's sounds much better than the suggestion I received this morning - "it's been a while since we last decorated"

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by pumpkinking

Looks cracking Steve! Look at that gloss finish! And I say that as a theatre man who’s seen a fair few mirror finish stage floors in his time [emoji6]

Thanks PK, obviously it's all the decorating over the years that helps

[willk]

I found a failed expansion vessel a few weeks ago. Today I repurposed it. Coupla mods to go but it works!

[willk]

In Lockdown v1.0 I made a rocket stove from some scrap - it was fun but I fancied something more substantial for Lockdown v2.0

[Steve509926]

Nice one Willk don't let it touch the tubes though, they'll melt

[willk]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Nice one Willk don't let it touch the tubes though, they'll melt

Wouldn't be the first Redbay with either a heater OR a BBQ

[Steve509926]

Are you going to use it outside or is it for the workshop?

[willk]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Are you going to use it outside or is it for the workshop?

Oh exclusively outside. It's a deathtrap!

[Bushrider]

That's the fire drum I built today .
Will be used just for fire / barbeque or cooking with the Dutch oven

[Steve509926]

Both Diane and I have found our backs aren't what they use to be, especially when we are sitting in the same position in the SIB for any length of time at slower speeds; rivers, lakes etc with speed limits. So winter/lockdown project number 2 is a couple of small padded seats with back rests. A few must haves are:- easy to fit onto and take off the SIBs benches, light and as small a package as possible when dismantled.
Again they are made out of 9mm external grade ply which will be treated, primed with zinsser and finished with gloss.
Progress made so far, base & backs cut out and assembled. I think the design works, but the proof will be out on the water! It may fall to bits with 16 stone on it when we hit the first bit of chop!

[Steve509926]

If it doesn't work it can always be fuel for Willk's or Bushriders fire drums

[willk]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

If it doesn't work it can always be fuel for Willk's or Bushriders fire drums

Without judgement of the excellent (Bauhausesque) effort so far - I've seen canteen chair backs used for this - they don't fold down but they do stack and will take up little space at the side of a packed load. Verr comfy too...

[Oldman2]

Originally Posted by willk

Without judgement of the excellent (Bauhausesque) effort so far - I've seen canteen chair backs used for this - they don't fold down but they do stack and will take up little space at the side of a packed load. Verr comfy too...

Yes I used the same plastic chairs in my Bonwitco's with 2 U shaped stainless sections under to trap the seat to the plank seat. OK with GRP fixings but not sure it would stand much leaning back on my Sib seat fixing.