"Dry Dock Discovery: Unveiling the Secrets Beneath the Waterline - Episode 13"

Only time will tell to see if this boat is worth saving and moving forward.
we are finally in the drydock to assess the situation, holding thumbs and crossing fingers that we can carry on with building out our home.
With only a week to do jobs we have the clock ticking against us!

[@grahamc887]

As a marine engineer, I should tell you; you really should blast the hull back to bare metal if you want the new coating to adhere and last for any length of time. May be costly now but it will save money and potentially the hull in the long term.

[@DC-uo5hy]

Yes, correct. I would sand blast the hull then use the Defoe Paint Company process to seal it and prime for antifoul. It will save the steel hull. My experience anyway.

[@UutGrunn79]

@@DC-uo5hyI would use hydrojet instead of sandblasting.

[@grahamc887]

@@UutGrunn79 Not sure but I think Ultra High Pressure water blasting has been banned due to environmental concerns. In the large dry docks I worked in the shot was contained and recovered preventing the paint fragments beings released into the environment, it is not possible to control the paint release when using water as the blast medium. Ultra high pressure water washing was a great system , it took the coating clean off and left a clean surface ready to paint once it dried.

[@DC-uo5hy]

@@UutGrunn79 thanks, but a water pan an collector are necessary to capture all the water so it can be filterrd. Sand, shot or bead is collected by vacuume then sifted to remove contaminants.

[@neilwharton720]

Definitely have a surveyor do an ultrasound to check thickness of the hull, then sandblast and epoxy prime the hull start at the bottom and then spend your money on the rest of the refit without it being watertight for the coming years otherwise you will just end up with a money pit not finished 👍

[@ReubenLoweMusic]

I think sand blasting the hull would be the way to go now. I'm kinda hoping you do that as I think it would be hugely satisfying to watch!! 😍

[@dorotheaisserstedt9238]

Auf jeden Fall ist es schön anzusehen, dass Ihr mit Mut und Leidenschaft daran geht, dieses alte Schiff wieder flott zu machen und dazu wünsche ich Euch immer einen Handbreit Wasser unterm Kiel und viele gute Ideen, Kraft, Erfolg, Geduld, und langen Atem........und nicht zuletzt ganz wichtig............robuste Gesundheit.

[@user-ug2wk7db2g]

Spot on. I do agree with other comments re sand blasting. Plus swinging a chipping hammer and seeing if it bounces back. Looking forward to underneath and the plate work. I think this is a brilliant project. Thanks for sharing it.

[@Meeeee_1]

Wohoo! Thanks for uploading. Great to see that the boat is strong from below aswel! Gives a great sense of security that we will definitely see the completion of this boat! So magical❤

[@rjkism]

its not its worse than a tea bag

[@iflick7235]

This was a "working" boat. It's never had such love. We're going to stick it out with you! Good luck.

[@DuoVagari]

Thanks & Welcome aboard:)

[@vadmal5210]

Nice! Now you're on your way to a fine and cosy home! Of course a lot of work remains to be done but soon you (we!!!!) can see how good it will be. Thank you for allowing us to accompany you on this amazing journey!

[@rjkism]

She is intensely annoying

[@darrenandcarolynoneill2399]

What a bad start to your day but your both smiling that’s what is important , and see you found them .

[@lizpegden1635]

I so enjoy watching your vlogs, and marvel at how much work you are getting done. I absolutely love listening to you talking ( I grew up in Durban ) and so love tohear the old sayings and expressions coming out. I'm not too clued up on hulls etc but we had a narrowboat for many years and would give my back teeth to have another one to live on. Looking forward to following your progress.

[@DuoVagari]

Thanks so much Liz , we are also from Durban we miss the laid back lifestyle and the warm people great place !! Welcome aboard :)

[@douglasburch2320]

Strong work!! Thanks for taking us along on your journey.

[@josephsweeney9228]

Thank you for your videos on this amazing journey. Love them. Congratulations.

[@RETired-oc9xq]

If you haven't named your boat yet, how about the Pheonix? It rises again though not out of the fire, but out of the water.

[@judewilliams9345]

Fantastic to se Big Bertha in dry dock. You've both done really well so far. Don't let the keyboard warriors dampen your spirit. Positive comments and sensible advice are always helpful ❤

[@billharris6886]

Hi Chris and Priscilla, thanks for all your work involved with doing the video documenting the dry docking, which I greatly appreciate and enjoy. I know you two have been looking forward to this day for a while with much excitement and anxiety. And... as a bonus, making the day more memorable by losing the keys in the canal. Thank God you were able to retrieve them fairly easy. I am assuming at this point a good sand blasting will be required to fully analyze the hull condition. Given the boat's age, I assume it was built from iron instead of steel, which rusts slower than steel but repairs may be more difficult due to it being an obsolete process. The corrosion is usually highest at points where the water and air meet (especially where there is turbulence). If you can swing it and if your proposed engine actually runs, fitting the engine at this time would be more convenient. I know you will encounter various problems during the rehab process but, I hope they are all manageable and result in a good learning experience. I wish you both well, please keep up the fine work!

[@flowerstone]

When I think dry dock I think a crane and a lift onto the docks. Couldn’t figure out what size crane it would take to lift that thing. Now I know and I learned something new. Makes perfect sense. Thanks for letting me in on the process. 😊

[@TillerQueen]

Totally agree with people here saying you must high-pressure jet back to bare metal. Jet washing won't reveal all possible issues and now is the time to discover them! The approach with my boat was high-pressure jetting, then overplating, then epoxy paint. The hull looked fine and passed a survey but it was only when it was jetted that we found lots more holes which were then plated. It's the most important thing you can do!

[@fullpulse2000]

Good working on the boat, best to your both on the continued endeavors.

[@jerrydutra3225]

Woohoo! Greetings from Portland Maine.Time to give the old tub a slap and tickle!

[@Michael-ln7us]

It looks even bigger and more impressive in dry dock. Looking forward to seeing the changes 😊

[@HellyAvard-xt6mz]

Well done your hard work is really paying off!

[@iggysfriend4431]

You'll be able to see what that concrete is hiding. My guess would be some very thin metal with a significant amount of perforation. Good luck, hopefully it's not too bad.

[@d4dan734]

Some great advise here. You have all the friends you need.

[@Santafefrank]

Looking great, you two can't wait till next time take care 😊

[@IDK_Mr.M]

That is so cool an indoor dry dock. I have work and grown up around shipyards my entire life in America. Wish i had one

[@mitchellbennis9236]

We have all become invested in your journey.

[@lynhardie6291]

Thank goodness for a pressure washer 😂😂😂 regards from South Africa 🇿🇦

[@sailinggreenpearl2571]

Loving that outboard, what a gem.

[@IkeBrider]

Good luck to you both. It will be a beautiful home completed.

[@MrRobertHarrod]

Hi, quick tip drill a hole through a wine Cork tie it to the key ring, you'll fish for keys no move.

[@paulbennett8948]

Glad it’s finally in the DD, exciting 👍🏼 love watching the progress, keep posting lekker vids

[@user-tp2iw5wm5p]

Looking good so far and fingers crossed for you guys

[@falkortechnologies8039]

I was JUST thinking, "I wonder when the next video/update will be?" And boom, here it is! Thanks Pris and Chirs!

[@StrykerMaguire205]

great episode can't wait to see the end result ITS GONNA BE AMAZING !!!!

[@ianforrest6728]

In theory you had a lucky day 😊😊you got your keys back and you eventually got the beauty into the dry dock what more could go right 😊

[@mitchellbennis9236]

Hi, I just read one of the comments from a fella about the addition of a bow thruster, a good idea but very expensive. I am not that knowledgeable on boats but with the addition of the new engine, it should make a big difference. Also a different style propeller and improved rudder might help. Don’t forget that once you remove the outboard motor and frame there will be two holes in the top of the rudder? Anyway that’s an idea for the next time she’s in dry dock. The two of you have done a right proper job of power washing the hull. You must have been exhausted afterwards. But it was rewarding I think. Waiting patiently for your next video, cheers.

[@detlefschmidt3927]

Good morning, you two - er, you three: great - we can learn a lot from you about good English boat building. Considering the age of the "rusty" hull, which isn't really rusty everywhere - this is an amazingly good "neglect" that the shipyard's good precautions have made possible! So there are layers that are better preserved - with the exception of the outer layer, which has to be removed to get to the deeper layers - and have to be reapplied - so there is very little to be done. That's English the good old way: I like it very much. good for you: there is still enough work left - but with the narrowboat you have chosen a jewel that has its charm and appeal. I'm just wondering how it works when you only get a shell instead of a complete narrowboat. I'm excited to see what happens next for you! Kind regards from Berlin, Germany

[@markchodroff250]

Great to,see your getting it done , just one thing ? When I presser wash I go real close and slow at a 45% angle, try it you will be surprised, and on real hard parts I try to overlap , after all it’s going to be a long time before it’s done again!🤷🏻‍♂️👍🏻🖖🏼

[@RJ-rn3uv]

Howdy from Flathead Lake Montana. Saw that fish you caught. Here in Montana, we call that species of fish BAIT.

[@davidwilson6742]

Great progress guys 👍 👌

[@kevinmartin3859]

Well done looking great already ready for survey and a good sandblasting nice video 😊😊😊

[@raytheron]

I was almost as nervous as you! But she doesn't look too bad, considering her age. Wishing you both all the best for the process of getting the wide lady all shipshape and Bristol fashion again! Vasbyt!

[@williepelser4658]

You guys are doing great. Always been my passion. To restore, improve, and then to enjoy . I have restored plenty. Boats, mostly cars as , of course, South Africa does not have those lovely canals. Im green... One question though, why not sandblasting? I would have sandblasted everything. Its steel. You went through the correct thickness testing. This means enough material to work with and sandblasting would clean so much better. I always clean right down to bare metal, put on etching primer, primer, then paint/anti fouling below the water line. I am retired, living in my caravan, presntly in Port Alfred, about to move to Gansbaai. Keep going. Youre doing great Willie

[@duncancremin1708]

Most dry docks don’t allow sand blasting, because the blasting media fills up the dock. That’s usually only done out on the hard, which would require a significant size crane, for a boat of this size, unless there’s a suitable slipway and haul out facility. For a preliminary inspection, the dry dock and pressure washer is a more cost effective way of establishing whether the project is going to be within their means. If there is a lot of plating to be done, then a lift out and full sand blast would be justified. Or, if the budget is not a concern, it would undoubtedly give a better result, once the decision to continue has been made.

[@patrickratchford7026]

Glad to see it's still looking so good on the bottom.

[@1961nuffield]

It looks better and worse than I thought, good luck with the project, at least the dry dock doesn't look too expensive!

[@petermccahon6485]

buy yourself either a lanyard or a float for your keys.

[@MarqusReyes-yi4ww]

Now the work really begins

[@moose6676]

Looking good guys, your slowly but surely going forward. I’m enjoying your journey 🙏🏻 God Bless.

[@DuoVagari]

Thanks so much!

[@Turleyswheels]

Great stuff fingers crossed ❤

[@53HB]

It’s looking great ,and good news so far . Can’t wait for part deux . And at least we can hear what you’re saying this week 😃 lucky you had a recovery magnet .had a mate who. Chucked the keys to his dads brand new van in a lake once by accident , lucky I had a magnet got them out after several attempts

[@toobusy63]

Wewwww😮 1st try yassss🙌 I was nervous for ye man. Greetings from USA ❤

[@revjimwestbrook]

Fantastic!! I am looking forward to more updates.

[@DuoVagari]

Thanks Jimmy we appreciate the support!

[@abdool1972]

Your lucky to own a magnet - that made quick work of a possibly day-changing experience. Consider picking up a 'brass snap hook' and add it to your keychain. It clasps around your belt loop - you'll never drop your keys again.

[@korpolentais87]

Sand blasting + x ray metal thickness measuring + new metal plates welding in + inspection. 75k to 100k to make it safe on water.

[@mrdeafa25]

My guess is it will end up being scrapped. You could spend £300k on that tub to turn it into something worth doing.

[@CountryCampers]

New subscriber here. I look foward to seeing the final steps of the restoration. Its a beautiful boat and im sure its going to look great again, Best of luck to you ......

[@DuoVagari]

Welcome aboard! Thanks for your support:)

[@stanleyosburn867]

I like the motor mount on the rutter simple and effective.

[@DuoVagari]

Thanks Stanley it works great!

[@sysublime5091]

If Sailing Yabba proved that their boat could be salvaged, there is hope for this one. It's just going to cost a lot of money.

[@garrybeard7718]

Well done guys stay safe. 👍👍👍🍺🍺🍺

[@thegregdavieschannel]

It's good to see you guys making some real progress with this.

[@Turleyswheels]

Lots off sanding ahead but I’m sure it will look ace ❤

[@andy-incognito]

Fingers crossed for the servery. Looks a totally different boat already.

[@bartjohnson8139]

Dang that’s a huuuuuge boat!

[@dianesang8428]

Love all this.

[@user-mq2rs6nn3b]

It’s looking good

[@mitchellbennis9236]

Boy, someone upstairs was looking out for you, for sure!

[@simsjef]

I just love the work ethic you both display and willingness to power spray in cold weather - maybe as we say here sometimes here in southern USA, your tetched in the head - ha. This is such an interesting channel.

[@DuoVagari]

Wow, thank you! You made our day !!

[@michaelgibney3772]

I am guessing that a proper inspection followed by sand blasting and painting is in order.

[@petermastenbroek7719]

Great job so far, I really hope that you won't encounter some nasty and unexpected surprises, as the underwater part of the hull is the most important, and also most costly to repair. Good luck to the 3 of you 👍👍👍.

[@traceydavis1912]

Good luck your doing a great job 😁😁😁

[@Remoskateer]

Looking good guys

[@user-vo5gb7tt7w]

Awesome 👍

[@paulmartin4971]

Hi guys brilliant progress!! To me there's not a lot wrong with the look of that, you would not think it is as old as it is. Can't wait to for part 2 cheers 🥂

[@davidmobley5984]

Looks like yall got some work to do ❤

[@ocean686]

appears that the hull requires overplating - good luck:)

[@paultaylor9652]

Keep going, it'll be worth it in the end guys.

[@DuoVagari]

Thanks Paul

[@muddymrt]

good luck... Ps get yourself a "float" for the keys just in case you drop them again, it may not be so easy next time to retrieve them, they are big and bulky but worth it.

[@DC-uo5hy]

I use a brass shackle clip for keys...clips on belt loop. USCG and Navy Bosun

[@King_of_the_End]

Considering you have remote entry key I would recommend submerging it into a high percentage isopropyl alcohol to get rid of the water moisture in the fob because the alcohol won't hurt the electronics.... I still wouldn't use it until the alcohol dries though

[@garry9999]

Interesting. Are you gonna get the hull checked for thickness ?, try the pub across the canal, great food, great beer. I know where you are. Very historic there you know.

[@bobuncle8704]

Some work needed, but in fair decent shape. 👍👍

[@Tintenfinger]

In 1979, the external paint job on my newly commissioned 27-foot Dutch steel sailboat had been done so poorly that three years later I decided to have the hull sandblasted from the keel up to a line two hand-widths above the waterline. I then primed the bare steel twice or three times in line with INTERNATIONAL’s coating instructions and afterwards applied three coats of (two-pot) epoxy tar, which in those days was the state-of-the-art way of sealing freshly sandblasted steel. (Today that would be several coats of two-pot epoxy paint.) Since 1982, I have not had a single issue with rust below the waterline. Of course, with a much older boat as yours, plate thickness needs to be checked before investing in expensive sandblasting and paint jobs. But once you have been given the go-ahead by a plate and/or coatings expert, you should invest in the appropriate coating process and follow the instructions carefully. It is quite likely that from then onwards, rust below the waterline will be a thing of the past on your boat. Above the waterline I did not change the boat’s original one-pot coating applied by the builder in 1979. The deck, the cabin roof and the cockpit need re-painting every ten to fifteen years. I do not re-paint everything in one go but do it in sections according to their respective wear. Could I decide again, I would have the entire boat coated in two-pot epoxy paint inside and out. It certainly pays off in the long run.

[@JaysPHJourney]

New here and great content

[@caphorn7029]

Bonsoir vous deux. Maintenant les choses sérieuses commencent. Bon courage et à la semaine prochaine. PS: Investissez dans un porte clés flottant pour éviter d'aller à la pèche aux clés. Amitiés. Olivier.

[@duncancremin1708]

@caphorn7029 Absolument. Merci beaucoup. C’est tres important. For the non French speakers, what caphorn suggests is a floating key ring, so the next time the keys fall in they won’t have to go fishing for them. These are commonly available from bait and tackle shops, as well as marine chandleries. It’s much easier to hook a floating key ring than to fish for in in the mud and weeds and often other metallic junk on the bottom.

[@caphorn7029]

@@duncancremin1708Merci d'avoir développée l'idée. Bonne continuation.

[@duncancremin1708]

@caphorn7029👍

[@scottsorby7966]

I never noticed before, I mean I knew she was a big lass but dear me when you were turning into the dock and we saw a perfect head on shot she's got a huge beam on her... how wide is she? A great amount of work done and hopefully there were no shocks for you both (apart from the original blacking) Best of luck going forward

[@kenshores9900]

Barley looks so sharp with his checkered coat on.

[@kenshores9900]

Why a dappled dachshund?

[@edgarqueiroz3454]

Eu sou do Brasil e digo a vocês não desistam do seu sonho. Parabéns!!!

[@martinsams1518]

I agree with the other comments regarding sand blasting. You really need to get to the bottom of the steel before any paint treatment. Note I was employed in the marine industry. don't for the old saying Don't spoil the ship for a ha/puth of tar. Good luck with your project

[@chaswarren7239]

Sweet hull shape. I imagine your boat is made of wrought iron rather than steel. Wrought iron rusts much more slowly than steel, so hopefully she won't be too bad !

[@TheDaf95xf]

Lot of hard work guys but I’m sure it’ll be worth it 👍🏻🥰

[@flybywire5866]

Do you think about adding a bow thruster? Its a big long boat with a lot of wall area, moving in tight spaces as canals always are, or in a marina or in windy conditions would be easier with it. I also doubt that the original propeller and rudder give as much control as the outboard fitted to the rudder, as small as it was, did provide.

[@nickstainer3985]

The boat used to have a 6 cylinder engine and that propeller is 30” across

[@Kiwionwing]

Way to go with the keys

[@randomengineering2142]

Another Marine Engineer, strongly recommending sand blasting. That high pressure hose isn't taking the rust off properly. Do it once, do it properly, start with a good base to work from. Otherwise a waste of paint.

[@ajw1467]

Be interesting to see how deep the pits are

[@roystone9932]

Hi guys , A very interesting instalment indeed . She' really is in a very good condition AND you have a propellor .......quite a big one compared to a lot of barges . How do you get right underneath the hull ?. Keep going as i can't wait to see her painted up and back on the water , good luck guy's .

[@howardescoffery4950]

I am watching from Jamaica. We don't have this type of boat life here, so I watched with astonishment and interest. One thing keeps coming to my mind though, the cost factor. I hope in one of your episodes you will go through the cost and comparison cost, for example you did a lot of DIYs. What would be the difference if you had it all done for you? Secondly what would you have done differently if you were to do it all over again? And what are some of the takeaways you had learnt from your overall experience?

[@btrowbridge8958]

Key Bobber!

[@chadmutchler5062]

Awesome

[@vanhooler358]

Episode 13 & lots of luck , it's in good shape considering, still plenty to work with there by the looks of things.

[@robdeaton9910]

You need to buy floaties for all your keys. All of us real mariners use floaties on our keys, all you need is a dip net to recover.😊

[@Magnet.M.A.D]

Loved the episode. You were so lucky to get your keys back. Did the van keys still work ok?

[@ron7447]

A good strong vessel with two strong people to get her back to health. Wishing you all the best.

[@perstaffanlundgren]

Remember that plate repairs on riveted hulls absolutely should be riveted if you need to change plates all the way to the plate seams . You never weld in plates in the riveted strokes, only welding "Inside " the original plate boundarys/inside riveted seams is okay. And the welding has to be done in Sections/carefully to avoid heat tension stress in the hull plates . Damaged rivets should not be repaired by welding the rivet to the plate, you replace it with anew rivet. The reason that all plate "strokes " still should be riveted post repair is that a riveted hull is not behaving like a welded hull when ists flexing. The wellds are more static rhan riveted joints, this can cause stress cracks in the welded seems if some plates is welded ,and some riveted. Double plating is a temporary fix with risks for rustjacking and between-plate corrosion always aim for replacement where you cut out for and put in the patch in-line with the original plate . Ribbing fasting rivets trou damaged plates should be replaced by A new rivet not a welded seam plate to ribbing. Also you will have to clean of the rust better some kind of media blasting , needle hamring , or disc grinding followed by rotation steel brushing . After that: thickness measuring , hull inspection , repair, and paint. Not to forget shecking the rivets , for pit corosion. Damaged rivets should be replaced with a new one. The rust may wery well be the thing that stops water from coming in if there is pit rust damage. A( smaller )rust pit in a otherwise good enough plate Can be filed with weld. If you are going to slap on some patces double plate style ,and paint on that Hevy rust without good ground work its not a serios repair, just shotty" boat cpr"...