Thursday 29 September 2011

Boatrides, new deck and other September wonders!

Well a huge milestone has been passed with the installation of the new deck on the Lightning, Tuesday evening! Many hands "on deck" was never more appropriate...

George, Scott, Chris and Jim - Ready!
 
Next the Sikaflex...
Lots of bronze boatnails...
DONE! off to the pub...











Next it will need to be faired (Anton are you listening?) then painted and canvassed. 
Meanwhile the skiff parts need a few coats of varnish to be finished, although the painting can begin on the hull.
Motorhead Volunteer Bernie has taken on the restoration of our 5 1/2 HP Johnson over this winter and to go with it we have brought a pretty little 10' cedarstrip tender called "Quail" into the shop for restoration over the winter as well.
Jim records how the rope gunnel fits.
Stripping under way..








With a new jug of stripper on hand, the final layer of bottom stripping can be completed on Quail. 
So far it looks like the planking is all OK although she will need a new external keel and skeg.
Lots of us have been out riding in Despina, our 27' Shepherd which is based at Outer Harbour in Toronto until after Thanksgiving. If you would like to be a Gatsby supporter and be invited, let us know!
Grant, Roni & Hunter and Gretchen all smiles...
Our primary purpose (with Despina) is to promote a new Sick Kids Boatride programme for next summer. If you would like to be part of this programme either with connections to kids organizations, connections to sponsorship or an active roll in delivering the activities, let us know about that too.