Let the repairs begin!

All sorted again now. This was a really weird day, because everything seemed to go to plan. Literally everything!

First job was to repair the transom. After grinding out the corner, the crack was only surface deep for the most part (a bit deeper near the top), so it was just a case of some fibreglass matting in the corner, followed by fibreglass paste, which was smoothed and followed by paint. The area cracked was actually the joint between the marine ply we bonded in a month or so ago, and the actual boat. Nothing had been damaged other than the joint. Quite lucky really!



We then decided to check the gearbox oil. Checking this prior to my holiday revealed it was half full with water, most probably from a leak somewhere. However, no water was present this time, so a nice job escaped there!

Finally, we wanted to look at the engine water coolant system. Whilst on holiday the amount of water squirting from the engine had really slowed, to pretty much a drip on the engine idle. Obviously the first check would be to clear the inside of the nozzle and pipe. Dad wiggled some thick wire inside both of them, and then we connected it back up. It worked fantastic. More powerful than I'd ever seen it! What a difference a bit of salt water makes!

Next on the agenda is a new ski pole (probably home made, have you seen the price of these?!?), and some vinyl graphics for the rear of the sides of the boat. Also on the agenda is more usage of the boat as soon as some decent weather comes back!

I hate being home, I hate work, I want to be on holiday again, leave me alone

I've just got back from my holidays - time to go back to work, hooray...

Due to quite dodgy weather I only got to use the boat on two days of my ten day trip, but I had rather a lot of fun on those days!





The first day me and Dad simply took it out for a spin. Seemed quite fast. I always knew it would be, but you can't beat the feeling of actually experiencing it. We later picked Sarah my ladyfriend up from the shore and took her for a ride.

The second time we went out I had a play with my towable ring, which was also rather fun.





However, I've also come back with quite a long list of 'ammendments' which need making. Or rather I've broke it quite a bit and it needs fixing.

Firstly I need a new cover. My two month old one decided to rip in half on the M5 due to the wind forcing it onto the boat seats. Obviouisly made well.

Secondly, and this is the big one...When I was playing in my towable ring, upon falling off, the ring filled with water, and the drag created by this snapped(!) the thick metal ski pole in half. Which then cannonned into the back of the boat. Which then cracked along the transom which we had re-built all of a month ago. Fantastic... First impressions are that it's only a surface crack, so hopefully too much work won't be needed.





Finally, I have a feeling that the impeller will need replacing on the engine pretty soon, as the water pump doesn't seem to be shooting out the water as quickly as it did previously. But I suppose this is more maintenence than a problem.