The next big event is dry dock. This is no small undertaking, both financially and in terms of the logistics and planning which go into it. The Bristol channel is a harsh environment for a barge with limited power and a skipper with limited ability. It is for this reason that we will be hiring a pilot to take us up the channel. Apparently there are some pretty vicious areas and currents so finding someone who knows it like the back of their hand will make me feel much safer. Considering there will be others present on the barge as well, I think it is a wise decision.

I went to Sharpness dry dock last week to discuss the docking with the guys up there. I have provided all the info I think they need so they can produce a docking plan and also so that the works can be carried out zero rated under the Qualifying Ships status. Overall I was pretty impressed and they have a 'can do' attitude, they have local suppliers who can provide good deals on paints, compressor hire etc so overall I think it will be a good place to go. They also have an ultrasound machine which they are happy for owners to use so I will be taking a particular interest in all the areas which I consider to be troublesome...

The only minor snafu is that they have 2 barges already in place which need dry docking (one for a survey and the other for a survey and some paint) but they need a gentle push to get them to commit to a date. Once we have a date I will be looking at getting Zee up there early as soon as we have a good chunk of calm weather. I also need to sort a drain for the water leak around the aft cylinder exhaust manifold, which could be easier said than done.

This barge at the front was apparently one of the barges extended by the Germans in 'Operation Sealion' which was going to use Dutch barges to transport troops across the channel. Having now transited the channel in a Dutch barge, I could have told Adolf himself that idea was about as viable as finding the Ark of the Covenant as a weapon. And if you've seen Raiders of the lost Ark you know how that goes...

This is the other barge of similar length to Zeelandia which needs the survey.

I am hoping the dry dock gets back to me with specs for the paint system to be used. Apparently a local rep is giving them good deals on 2 pack epoxy paint at the moment. As long as it is proven to work I am happy to roll with it if we get a good discount. I am also considering purchasing a small airless sprayer for the inside of the hull which would make painting with red oxide and then overpainting with metal enamel a whole lot quicker. We don't know how long we are going to be in dry dock - at worst 2 weeks only - so anything which can reduce the time spent painting would be good. If we don't get to paint the interior that won't be too bad as at least we can do that back at Portishead, but we do need to shotblast the whole of the interior as a priority.

I have been looking for some tarpaulins to cover the masts and keep the worst of the South West's weather off them but everything I found was normally rectangular which would have wasted a lot of it. I managed to find a roll of 45m x 2m clear reinforced plastic from Allplas which was reasonably priced, arrived about 2 days later and is pretty bullet proof. I would definitely recommend it as a product. There are plenty reinforced holes down the sides (and along the middle) every 6 inches or so and on first inspection looks pretty durable. Time and the South West's weather will tell. If you are looking for similar it's the 2x45 UV monotarp available here:

https://www.allplas.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000001.pl?WD=monotarp%20uv&PN=MonoTarpaulin%2ehtml#a1110

I have used some of the large steel section to weight down the tarp with nylon cord. Hopefully it will survive should we get any high winds. Sooner or later I will be getting the petrol compressor out and the orbital sander and we will do battle with the masts to take them back to natural wood and oil those bad boys.

I also marked out one side of the roof with the PV measurements. Part of the exercise was to find out really how much spare space I had. Having done some maths to find out what size skylight could be fitted (bigger is better) I settled on a 1200x1500mm skylight. Having marked it out on the roof it doesn't clash with the large steel support beams which span the cargo hold and I think it leaves enough room for the pellet boiler flue. The flue is 80mm diameter and I have a 250x300mm space which should be suitable for it. I have a bit of wiggle room with the skylight just in case but so far it should fit. Which is nice...

There are 4 PV panels each side and the 1200x1500 skylight in the centre. It's a good use of space, although the PV will have to be removable for when and if we are sailing. I will potentially have to make some covers for the skylights which can be fixed to the roof when at sea.

Saw this chap working on a plastic boat in the marina. Thinking of getting something similar done with Zee...