Ugh,

Have been delayed for four days now by issues with the welder. This part of the project is huge. We are adding davits to the stern to hold the new solar panels and digny and as an attachment point for the biminy. We are also adding a new entrance from the cockpit in traditional companionway fashion for added safety moving the baby in and out of the boat. The last change is the addition of a hard dodger.

At the moment the boat has been out of the water for a week and none of the above have been completed. We have the davits cut out by CNC machine. The companion pieces are cut as well. All the new through hull piping is ready and the aluminum sheets are ordered for the dodger. But the dreaded worst has happened, we are caught up in the South African delivery system.

The welders secondary transformer on his tig welder has blown out. This is an enourmous 200kg machine. He has ordered a new one from Jo-berg and it was supposed to have arrived the next day, and the next day, and the next day, ad-nauseum.

Frustrating, as I can do very little work on the boat while 3 different machines sit on her deck each weighing 100-200kg. Getting them on and off requires cranes so not something to be taken lightly. If I had known it was going to be 3-4 days.

sigh

Wish first post was more positive - hopefully tomorrow we will start. The welder is frantic as well this is killing his income. Not helping me either at 25euro a day charges for being out of the water .

smile - breathe - smile