Build day 64

 It’s in!

The engine is coupled up to the prop shaft via the gear box, the black pipe is for the hot air extraction from the engine to the outside and the silver one is the exhaust pipe. An MLS FP100 fuel filter has also been fitted and can be seen just to the right of the black piping.

 That’s a beast of a silencer!

 Exhaust pipe is coupled to the hospital silencer and the stern greaser tube and tap is connected (just for the non-boaters - this goes to the stern gland and prevents ingress of water - the grease is forced into the tube via the tap after every cruise)

Centre above the weed-hatch access is the hydraulic ram for the steering and the two pipes on the left are fuel stop-cocks.

The heart of Still Rockin is almost there!

Build day 63

 Wow, the engine is in the bay albeit just to one side of its intended position as Steve drills the locating holes to hold it in place.  

No, this is not the axiom propellor, Steve had had the actual one on the prop-shaft this morning to check how far up the shaft the locator fits, he's then put it away again and has fitted an old prop in that position while he connects the shaft to the engine.

The whole engine will probably be fitted by the end of the day.

In the meantime Stuart has been making arrangements for some heating inside the boat to assist the drying of the paint that will be applied next week after the primer has hardened and the boat masked up ready for the roof to get its first coat.

Build day 62

 The engine has been moved closer to Still Rockin’s engine bay.  George and Steve Lambon look quite delighted!

 Nice!

George has taken the serial numbers from the belts so that he can order spares from MotorFactors in Rugeley as they are so much cheaper than directly from Beta.

 A very nice piece of bling!

 First coat of bitchumen has been applied ... even in the bow thruster tube and 10 sacrificial anodes have been fitted.

 Steering!

Looking good!

Build day 61

 The engine is out of the box ...

 ... and George can’t resist a look ...

 ... WOW!

and a delivery of another sort - some furniture - this is the bit I’m enjoying, can’t wait to get it unpacked and onboard.

Build day 60

 Still watching paint dry ...

Still Rockin’s shell has had it’s 2nd coat of primer ...

... the engine bay has had a coat of gloss paint ...

... as have the weed hatch covers and T-bar which supports the deck boards over the engine compartment.

Hopefully the engine and steering will be installed this week.

Build day 56

The first coat of primer ...

 Ooh, does that mean there’s been a delivery?

Steering equipment has arrived!

Build day 55

 This was the view that greeted us this morning through the front doors of Still Rockin’ seeing Steve Lambon priming at the other end ...

 The umbilical cord taking away the paint fumes ...

 ... and Steve making sure ...

... that he gets into all the nooks and crannies!

Sorry about the quality of the pictures, I forgot to recharge my camera battery and so took these with the phone!

Build days 51-54

A bit like watching paint dry ... but not yet!

For the past 4-5 days Steve Lambon is still working flat-out even though there’s not been a lot to show in a photograph.  He’s now sanding down the welding and steel ready for priming ...

 All laid out for finishing - front doors, locker door, rear doors, sliding hatch (made yesterday), locker doors, and gates

 Sliding hatch ...

 ... and sliders ...

 Shiny engine bay ...

... and the primer has arrived.

 Next door at Barn Owl Narrowboats ...

 ... some of the paint has arrived there too!

Another delivery, of a different kind - some of the furniture for Still Rockin’.  All this is soooo exciting!
George went back to Barn Owl this afternoon to stow the furniture boxes safely out of Stuart’s way.  

(Thanks Stuart for assisting us with storage, it’s very much appreciated).

 In the meantime Steve has started to mask up ...

... and create the hole for the fuel filler.

And George’s 'other baby’ has arrived ...

The Axiom

BLING!

Build days 48, 49 and 50

The hull is virtually finished except for a few bits and bobs and all the tidying up ...

 The ‘I’s’ have it!

 Grills on the bow thruster tubes

 The anchor storage point.  It’s from here the anchor will be dropped over the side - let’s hope we never need to deploy it in anger!

 A step up

 The prop shaft forward of the schilling rudder ...

 ... and the ‘other’ end of the rudder shaft

 The vent piping which will take the heat from the engine ...

... and George checking his baby!

Still to do ...  the steering equipment should arrive early next week and the water tank has still to arrive - must check on that.

After that Still Rockin’ will be ready for painting!