Paddle Steamer Still Chugging Along

The winter nights are drawing in, the frosts are threatening and the years finest sunsets are lighting up the evening skies. Most people in the boat tripping world give up by now and passengers lose the chance to see the wonderful sight of the trees changing colour, the delightful way low lying mist plays on the water and the sheer indulgence of cruising flat calm waters without the interference of nasty plastic gin palaces...goodness this is starting to sound like a Marks and Spencer advert!
Can you guess yet, that your intrepid skipper quite likes this time of year?
Anyhow, I urge you all to get out of your hermetically sealed and centrally heated homes and offices and come out with us to fill your lungs with the refreshing air that only autumn provides......go on, I dare you.......you might even like it a bit!

Till next time,

The Skip

Winter Timetable

All Sailings: Please remember....no booking-no ride!! Payment is taken aboard the vessel, but all bookings must be made by telephone at least 24 hrs prior to boarding.

OCTOBER
6: 1230
7 & 8: 1330
9: 1430
10 & 11: 1700
Floodlit Cruise Special (1 hr)
13: 1930 & 2030 - £15pp
15, 16 & 17: 1130
18: 1130, 1230, 1330
20, 21, 22: 1400
23, 24, 25: 1600
Floodlit Cruise to Cowes (2 hr)
28: 1930 - £20pp
Floodlit Cruise Special (1 hr)
29: 1930, 2030 - £15pp
Halloween Floodlit Cruise (1 hr)
31: 2030, 2130 - £15pp

NOVEMBER
1,2,3,4: 1100
5,6,7,8: 1400
14,15: 1030
18,19,20,21: 1300
22: 1400
Floodlit Cruises
27: 1900 (2 hr - Cowes) - £20pp
28: 1900 (1 hr) - £15pp

DECEMBER
Festive Cruises
4,5,6,7: 1400
Floodlit Festive Cruise
11,12: 2000 - £15pp
13: 1000
16,17,18,19: 1200
20: 1300
Floodlit Festive Cruise
22,23,24: 1630 - £18pp

FESTIVE CRUISES WITH LUXURY GIFTS & BUFFET

CHRISTMAS DAY CRUISE
1730 (Floodlit) £45 pp

BOXING DAY CRUISE
1800 (Floodlit) £45 pp

Prices £10 Adults & £6 Children (unless marked otherwise)

Surprise gifts for all Floodlit Cruises!!

Call (01983) 290124 to book. Please book at least 24 hrs prior to boarding.

Floodlit Cruises

During the winter there will be a limited number of opportunities to enjoy a floodlit cruise on the River Medina and see some of the wildlife that only comes out at night.
Join us for a romantic view of the river and make the most of the dark winter evenings.

October Floodlit Cruise:
Tuesday 13th: 1930 & 2030
Halloween Special
Saturday 31st: 2030 & 2130

Tickets £15 - Adults Only
Call 01983 290124 to book!!

Sailings to Continue Until Boxing Day

This year's season will be extended until Boxing Day this year, with just a 2 week period in November when the vessel will be out of service for maintenance.

The Skip

Monarch's Electrical Problems Sorted!!

Finally, the generator saga is over...for those of you that don't know, this is the story so far:

Our very expensive, quiet and reliable generator (required to power the oil burner, circ pump and lighting) needed a new set of windings early in the year and these were ordered in good time for the start of the season. They arrived, were fitted and we toddled off to Portsmouth's fantastic 'Celebration of Steam' to start the season in a glorious whirl of publicity.

Alas, when we tried to use the newly rewired machine...we couldn't even light a bulb with it-not to mention the oil burner and circ pump!

Much arguing later, the generator was sent to Kent to pay a quick visit to the UK's best engineer that deals with these particular machines. He diagnosed that the parts sent from Italy were the wrong ones, and we would have to wait until after August to get replacements as their factory take a long marine type holiday.

As a result, this season we have been using an ondeck petrol genny to provide power for the boat which is both unsightly and necessitates closing off the deck access to the main engine room door to the passengers for safety reasons.

Thankfully, after all of this hassle, we now have a fully functional machine which should last for many more years of punishment on the Monarch. We have even invested in a lead jacket for the generator to kill any noise that it emits as well.

I very much hope that this will improve the passenger experience and with the extra power that we now possess, we can begin this winters planned floodlit cruises on the River Medina...more about that later.

In the meantime, adios me amigos,

The Skip

Timetable Update

Timetable Update:

August

Thurs 20:
1300 (1 space)
1200

Fri 21:
1200 (fully booked)
1300

Sat 22:
1230
1330

Sun 23:
1300
1400

Mon 24:
1400
1500

Tues 25:
1400
1500

Wed 26:
Fully Booked

This Weeks Sailings

As many of you know, we operate one guaranteed sailing per day and open up other time slots once the boat is fully booked. Because of this system, it is essential to book in advance for the Monarch. This week's sailings are:

Thurs 13th:
1445 - Fully Booked
1545 - Fully Booked
1645 - Spaces Available

Friday 14th:
1600 - Fully Booked
1700 - Spaces Available

Saturday 15th:
Fully Booked

Sunday 16th:
OUT OF SERVICE

Monday 17th:
1000 - Spaces Available
N.B This is the only possible sailing of the day due to tidal conditions

Tuesday 18th:
1100 - Spaces Available
1200 - Spaces Available

Wednesday 19th:
1100 - Spaces Available
1200 - Spaces Available

Booking Advisable

The steamer is getting very busy and we are starting to turn passengers away that have not booked. The timetable changes every day due to tides-as do the number of available sailings.
Each day, there is one guaranteed sailing and when that is booked up we open another time slot to prevent the boat from running light. If you wish to join us, please call 01983 290124 or 07545 624501 to get your name down so that we can make sure that space is available for you.

Sailings are beginning to get a little later in the day at the moment, because of the fluctuations in the tidal pattern and passengers can join us at (in my humble opinion) the nicest times of the day on the Medina to enjoy the wildlife and glorious sunsets!

The boat itself is running wonderfully, and passengers are commenting very highly on the smooth ride that Monarch is offering of late!

For those that follow this blog regularly, I am pleased to be able to say that the generator saga is nearly at an end...it looks like the factory sent us the wrong part-so hopefully soon, the current temporary generator can be consigned to history!

I'm afraid, I don't really have anything funny to say at the moment as everything is rather hunky dory....how boring!!

Anyhow, steam fans, TTFN

The Skip

Fantastic Steaming Weather

Monarch has covered about 100 miles since Friday, and she has done this faultlessly. The passengers have all had a lovely time and there was much interest in the little ship down river at Cowes Week.
From now on, the number of Cowes charters will start to drop off and Monarch will remain on the upper Medina for the majority of the time.
I was delighted, yesterday, to be able to welcome 4 prospective new crew members aboard to experience the boat, and I hope that we will see much more of them in the coming weeks.
Please, please, if you are thinking of joining the Monarch for a trip-telephone and book yourselves on...we had to turn people away yesterday!!

Anyhow, until next time,

The Skip

Naughty Radio Two!!

As a fellow ginger, I have much time for Radio Two's Chris Evans; however, he said on Tuesday that we were a paddle steamer based on the Isle of Man! I shall send him a little map of our British Isles to remind him where our own little Alkatraz is so that he doesn't make the same mistake again!!
So panic not, punters-we're still here and steaming on the Isle of Wight...and I have even better news to report!! Since replacing the couplings, the engine has returned to silent and smooth operation. The trips today, since putting the new parts in, have been amazing; with only the sloshing of the water to be heard and not Monarch's trademark thump.
All being well, we shall continue service until Christmas Day when she will have a well earned rest for a month or so before being plunged back into regular service again.
Anyway, life aboard the worlds smallest paddle steamer is generally lovely, and a very busy week ahead is beckoning. Watch out Cowes Week....Monarch is coming!

Until next time,

The Skip

New Couplings

Well, they cost several hundred pounds and look like a cross between a giant Duplo block and a dog toy! We are replacing our fabric/rubber couplings with Polyurethane elements which should offer greater resistance to our very hostile engine room environment. The guys down at Renold in Cardiff seemed slightly bemused that we had driven from the Isle of Wight to get them; but to have waited any longer for delivery would have impacted on us heavily.
Anyhow, we'll be sailing at 12.30 today, after the new couplings are in and the paddleshaft assembly has been inspected.

The Skip

C is for Couplings!

Well, I write this whilst travelling from the Isle of Wight to Cardiff to collect parts for the Monarch! After inspecting the engine over the weekend, it was decided that the flexible couplings which drive the paddleshaft need to be replaced. As a result there will be no sailings today as the only place to get these enormously expensive disks of rubber is Wales!
All being well, the Port coupling will be back in before tomorrows sailings and the starboard one will be changed over in the early evening. After being tethered to the Medina Valley all season, it's rather nice to be driven in a modern vehicle through different countryside!

Anyhow, until the next time,

The Skip

Maintainence Week

At the moment, the daily tides are getting quite late in the day; and this puts many people off booking a trip on Monarch. We get this about once a month and generally take the boat out of service for a couple of days to give us the chance of a quick catch up on jobs.
This time, The Chief Engineer is on his way to Kent for parts, whilst I shall be aboard, cleaning, painting and removing clutter that builds up over the weeks. Any volunteers for these arduous jobs are more than welcome during Friday and Saturday this week!

Apart from that, the improved Circ Pump is doing very well indeed and gives a mighty gush of cooling water from under the Starboard sponson!

The Skip

Quick Update

Sometimes I wonder if I speak too soon about the fixing of things on the Monarch, or sometimes the timescale to get things done properly.....

Not this time though!!

The boat is, again, running beautifully and has carried passengers today without any delay to the timetable.

Working with steam is a hard and tiring slog, but it is so worth it when a young child gets the chance to pull the cord for the steam whistle whilst their parents relax amongst the gentle fizz made by the paddles on the aft deck. So, the only issue now is the weather-I'll ask the Chief Engineer if he can get that fixed for us too!

The Skip

All Fixed!

Tis nearly a blink of an eye since I last posted on the Blog, and I am pleased to say that the circ pump is fixed.

The Chief Grease Monkey is currently testing it for leaks and clearances, and all being well it should be plumbed into the boat within the hour! Well done Ian, without your skills we would have lost a days sailing, but instead will be back on our feet (or should I say wheels) without any disruption.

On another note, we will be measuring the float immersion of the paddles wheels today in readiness for this winters big challenge of relieving the boat of her trademark knocking sound. I know I shouldn't really say it, but it does get a little bit irritating when passengers comment on the state of our bearings EVERY trip out. Hopefully I can lay everyones mind to rest by telling you that the sound is not in the engine itself, but actually comes from (we believe) the paddle wheels which are too deeply immersed. It will not be an easy job to complete, nor are we even sure yet how to overcome the problem without losing yet another large chunk of the season-but watch this space for developments.

Anyhow,

TTFN

The Skip

Poorly Circ Pump

Good news and bad today! The circulating pump (which pumps cold sea water into the condenser) decided to stop working in Cowes. Normally this would be a disaster, but after this winters improvements to the steam and water systems, we can convert the boat to non-condensing (puffing) running.
As this was the first time this system has been used in anger, I made sure that we were on tow coming up river...just in case! Luckily though, we made it upriver from Cowes to Newport Harbour under our own steam before lashing the tug to the boat to maintain full control in what was today, a very busy harbour. Obviously we had to hold the engine back quite a lot to conserve water, she still managed to hold a very impressive speed over ground and she sounded beautiful as normally the wonderful whoosing of the steam is silenced by the condenser.
So, although disappointing, a safety system has been proven to work; and this is great news really! Luckily, another pump is sitting in the workshop ready to be transplanted and we should be back in service before anybody can blink! With this experience safely in the memory bank, we will fit an auxiliary manual circ pump to the boat shortly as yet another safety system.

At the end of the day though-it proves just how safe steam power is-when a boat with an internal combustion engine has a problem they just stop....not us though!!

Anyhow, sailings are happening every day this week-with the exception of Friday and Saturday which are hallowed maintenance days. So do pop down the quay to see your beloved Skipper wading about in thick, deep mud wielding a paintbrush and trying resolutely to remain upright.

Until next time, oh ye nutters of steam,

The Skip

Weather Quite Yuck!

Well, what can I say, yesterday was foul! Lightening, thunder, hail and heavy rain all decided to pop up when we were well down river with a group from Chichester. Even in my hot box (wheelhouse) I was soaked to the bone...not a nice experience!
Anyhow, there is another charter booked for tonight-and guess what....we're promised more of the same! Ah well, at least Monarch is behaving like a good girl...it's just a shame that the same cannot be said for the weather!

See the Isle of Wight County Press this week for your "3 for the price of 2" voucher.

Till we meet again,

The Skip

Monarch Issues

To combat those who have contacted us regarding our latest issues, please take on board the following:

We have an issue with a neighbour regarding ship safety, noise and wildlife concerns. None of the allegations, we believe, have any foundation and after 18 months of complaints from one person, malicious gossip and idol threats we have finally involved the Police.

Those of you which have offered letters of support are gratefully thanked, and we may call on you for these should the need arise. But for now, we are logging every incident, every passenger complaint about being photographed (or their children) and every letter sent to third parties about us.

Be very clear, there is no danger to the Monarch because of this harassment, and we fully intend to deal with the situation in the courts should it become necessary. We already have enough evidence to do so, but will wait for further evidence to secure our case.

Be of good cheer ye people of steam, Monarch is here to stay and we very much look forward to taking part in the Island Steam Show this coming August-volunteers required by the way!!

Anyhow, tatty bye for now,

The Skip

Monarch Doing Very Well

Well, all of the work so far to get Monarch running well has been very successful. The new plumbing and improvements to the boiler has resulted in a far more user friendly steamer that has vastly increased the drivability of the boat and also has improved the safety provision.
Passenger numbers are increasing and I am happy now that two of our volunteers can be classed as competent crew. I will be inviting more volunteers aboard over the coming weeks to train them and increase the crew numbers accordingly.

Last weekend's rendezvous with MV Balmoral was a great success with the exception of one small problem. A kindly power boater decided to pass the Monarch at breakneck speed causing an enormous wake. The boat handled really well, but the temporary generator was splashed which caused it to cut out for 5 minutes...not a good thing when we were expecting Balmoral at any time! Luckily, Cowes Harbour master towed us out of the way to give the Chief Engineer the chance to get everything restarted in time to give the grand old lady a jolly good toot of our steam whistle.

Many people thought that we were broken down, which made steaming out within minutes of landing enormously satisfying! In all, a great day was enjoyed by all and it is a nice thought that Monarch has now 'met' both Waverley and Balmoral at sea.

The auction of the Ryde's engine room console has boosted the boiler fund by just over £500 (hammer price £620 minus auction commissions etc) which was a great result. Watch this space for more fundraising activities.

Work continues to the boat to improve her even more, and I hope to be able to give you further updates very soon.

Until next time.....

The Skip

Flog It Auction Coming Up

Oooh eerrrr missus, we're going to be on the BBC! We're selling the engine console from the Ryde which we rescued last year for two reasons.....money for the boiler appeal and blatant publicity!
Yes, it's true, the crew of the Monarch are right tarts and love getting on the telly!
The valuation day was a bit of an experience in it's own right, but hugely enjoyable; and the presenter, Paul Martin, seemed very at home surrounded by his harem of admiring ladies!

Anyhow, the auction is happening on June 16th at Island Auction Rooms...so come on and bid! Maybe, just for a bit of a laugh, all Monarch supporters should wear gold, black and red clothes-just so we can spot you all-but please, no gurning...leave that to the skipper.

Anyhow, the boat is running beautifully and we are just getting ready to celebrate John Garside's (volunteer) wedding anniversary tomorrow on board. Last weekend we welcomed our first bridal party from Cowes aboard, they all enjoyed themselves and we paraded up and down the river for their photographer looking marvellous! Congratulations Amy and Dan, we wish you all the very best....and you looked fabulous!

Anyhow, until next time (and sorry for the delay in updating, I shall try harder next time)

The Skip

Ups and Downs

Right then, first off...the generator saga.
We spent the dosh, did the work and still nothing so Portsmouth Celebration of Steam just didn't happen. All very sad and depressing, but we're offering anyone who waves a programme from the event under our noses a very cheap ticket for four quid. Moving on to lifting back in on the island, all went fine and then the wind happened....stuck in Island Harbour for a few days then. Still sad and depressing, oh when will the struggles ever end!! The generator issue looks to be complicated, so back on with the old auxiliary air cooled thingy and hope for the best. At least this way we know that we can at least run the boat-she simply must make money in the next couple of weeks or things might start to look bleak.
Anyway, last night we steamed up, went for a run up the river and.......perfection! Hoorah, she works! The new boiler feed system is holding up well, we've hydraulic tested it to over 350 psi and so far no probs. The economiser shows no sign of leaking, the condenser is giving us more vacuum than it ever has and the engine *seems* to be behaving (oh gawd where's my bit of lucky wood!!!!!?).
Monarch is now in Newport Harbour and has her first wedding trip this coming Saturday which is exciting, so fingers crossed for a great season.

Random Photographs of Current Progress

Monarch Looking Herself

Well, it's been a while, but Monarch is now looking herself with her fine funnel and gold lines reinstated. Now, I'm not saying that our gilding is the best in the world; but it does look a thousand times better than a strip of yellow plastic sticky tape.
It was rather funny today, John (one of our wonderful volunteers) almost did a runner when told that he might be asked to gild the hull...luckily the fabulous, soothing and masterful skipper gave him the equivalent of a degree course in gilding (in just 2 minutes) and he was set to work!! The results, I think all will agree are superb. I can't wait to see it all burnished so that it sparkles like a wedding band.
Anyhow, work left to do, bit of plumbing, bit of wiring and a wee bit of painting......job sorted! The last few woodwork jobs are left to be sorted and the Monarch should be set for the waves once again!
Pauline, another volunteer, has done an excellent job of applying lipstick to the paddle wheels (wish she's used proper paint as it would last longer...joke) and everything is looking all very festive again.

The only bad news to report is that the generator repairs which are essential for the passenger certificate have cost nearly 800 quid...this is a real setback and even more annoying as the previous owners lies about the gen set's history have resulted in this cost. All very disappointing.

One marvellous bit of news, however, is that the boiler passed it's statutory examination on Tuesday....hooooooray!!!

Anyhow, working towards the Portsmouth Celebration of Steam Event, all is looking good!

Until next time, paddle nutters,

The Skip

Making the best of the weather

Recently we have been joined by John Garside, a new and very enthusiastic volunteer who has worked hard to smooth out the aft lockers (which were beautifully painted, but ruined by overnight rainfall) and is starting work on stripping the saloon of paint ready for a fresh lick of the white stuff.
Pauline Rorke has been busy rust busting the railings and getting them spic and span, and Ian Rees (Chief Engineer) has rebuilt the engine room wall and is hurtling through the woodwork at a great pace.
The Easter weekend looks set to be fair, weather wise, and I am hopeful that the gold leaf can be applied to the hull so that all that is left to be done is the antifouling and anode changing.

Bad news re: the generator, we may be looking at anything up to £1000 to fix it in time for the coming season, more to come on that very soon. It is essential that early bookings come in quickly, it is charter bookings that get jobs such as this paid for.

Other than that, Monarch is progressing very well and we are hopeful to be afloat again some time next week....fingers crossed!!

Until next time,

The Skip

Work Beginning to Bear Fruit

The boiler is in, but we just need to connect it to the steam engine....gawd that sounds easy doesn't it!! Saint Len (Chief Mech Engineer of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway) is busy machining a couple of new flanges and has come up with a superbly simple way of overcoming our problems. Work is getting tough and our thought processes are getting fuzzy, sometimes you need another brain to work things out for you.

The beautiful new/old pressure gauges have been calibrated and are ready to be fitted and all that is needed now is for the boiler feed line to be attached from the economizer; after that a little bit of wiring and she's done!! Goodness doesn't it sound easy....

We are now all geared up for being ready for the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard's "Celebration of Steam", to miss this great event would be appalling, not just in terms of ego but also the huge opportunity that it offers the boat in terms of publicity. The Isle of Wight desperately needs us tourist attractions to get out there and fly the flag, and we hope to be able to do our part in May...we might be small but we leave a big impression!

In terms of volunteering, I wish I had more to report, we have had a lot of offers and a few people come down for a look-but so far only the wonderful Pauline Rorke has been down regularly; I really hope to be welcoming more very soon. So far the funnel has been reinstated and gilded, the railings are beginning to receive their usual livery and the aft lockers have had a fresh lick of paint.

Work left to do:

Bilge Cleaning

Engine Room Wall to be Constructed

Wiring

Wheelhouse Overhaul

Big jobs, but with good weather and a motley crew, this should not take long!! Watch this space!!

Until the next installment, steam fans,

The Skip

Boiler Works

Hoorah, hooray, it's boiler lift in day!

After much hard work and tattyfying, the boiler was finally craned back into the boat today-and what a cracking thing it is. The old, black and nasty sightglasses have been restored to their wonderous glory and the Lee Howl boiler feed pump has been rescued from the murky depths of the bilges to sit, resplendant, upon the steam dome. If anyone ever calls me an old boiler again, I shall point them in the direction of Monarch's water otter and admonish them for the error of their ways...anyway, even though I am not adorned with shiny brass fittings and a fabulous steam powered water pump, I think I'm a bit more handsome than the dear old thing (well maybe only just)!

See below for photos of the craning in, she looks a thousand times better than it ever has done-but don't be fooled, it still isn't big enough for what we need and £15,000 still needs to be raised to get a better one.

As you can see, the engine room and boat still looks grotty as hell, but now that the boiler work is complete, and the weather is being kind to us, miracles will be happening shortly. The best of it is, your glorious Skipper now even has a tan which will help move the work along enormously, I'm sure.

Anyhow, enough for now, the sun is well past the yard arm and Monarch's custodian crew are greatly in need the daily rum ration.

TTFN

The Skip

Saloon Roof Finished

Marvellous news on the saloon roof, at long last and after rain, snow, sleet, heavy rain and severe frosts, we have been able to replace the rotten plywood and fibreglass roof with a brand new one!! It's been one of those week long jobs that has actually taken a month to complete owing to the awful weather.

Many thanks to Mike Rees for coming over from sunny (or should we say snowy/flooded) Somerset to help lay the fibreglass sheathing with good military style. Another visitor of note was a nameless lady from Wales who is also a member of the paddle steamer preservation society. She came on a rather dull day in terms of work to be done and cheered me up immensely with her upbeat and positive attitude. I don't know about anyone else, but there is nothing like the welsh lilt to brighten up y'day!

Work now begins on the hatches and saloon doors to make the whole structure sound and watertight before we start on the long hard job of cleaning the bilges and reinstating the boiler and ancilliaries that make the old girl chug along!

If you're still waiting for the volunteers pub get together, panic not ye olde steam fans, we will get invites out shortly-just as soon as the boat is ready for you to attack with mallets!

Attached to this post are photos of the manky old roof being removed and the brand spanking new roof going on!

Cheery Bye for Now,

The Skip

Nearly Volunteer Time

The saloon roof's off and the boat looks appalling, but we reckon she's lost a HELL of a lot of weight, which will improve performance no end! Basically there was not one part of the roof that wasn't entirely rotten so it's a great thing that it's finally gone.
Work has not been progressing very well of late due to the awful weather that we've been having and all concerned are very narked off that we haven't had the chance to get our teeth stuck in as normal. Never mind, I'm assured that re-roofing is a simple and straightforward job, albeit weather dependent and fiddly...good job I'll be on tea duty as the skip and woodwork do not mix!
The parts necessary for the boiler will be purchased this coming Tuesday, and so we should be looking to crane the lumpy old beast back in very shortly. Once the boiler and roof are back on then we can finally let the volunteers come aboard and lend a hand-until then it is just too dangerous to allow strangers to the boat on deck.
Some more great news is that Monarch will be going on holiday in May to the Portsmouth celebration of steam-she won't be gone for long though, just the weekend....so here's hoping we don't book a charter in by accident in the meantime! As always, thanks have to go to Rob Kingswell for being on hand for haulage. Fab as Monarch is as a sea boat, any rough chop and she'll be stuck in Pompy so it's a trip out by low loader again!

Until next time steam fans,

The Skip

Grim News in the Saloon!

Not only has our carpentry king got the paddle boxes and deck to make...he now has to effectively rebuild the saloon! After much digging and poking in preparation for the new engine room housing, a lot of the supporting posts have been found to be rotten and beyond repair. Therefore we have decided that there is no choice but to bring the renewal of the saloon roof forward-it must be done as soon as possible if we are to stay on target for an April start to the season, oh eck missus!
Volunteers are really starting to pour in, and if you're reading this and I haven't got around to talking to you yet, I'm trying to contact everybody individually at the moment and it will take a long time as most of the day is spent on the good ship.
As soon as we know where we stand with the saloon I shall let you all know on here, lets hope and pray for fine weather as I can smell epoxy in the air........... ;o)

The Skip

Layup Going Well Despite the Cold

Well, the bottom of the hull has been treated to 5 coats of primer and 5 coats of black tar varnish before Monarch gets covered in her new bright red antifoul so there shouldn't be any rust on her for a good few years now! It's funny how much smaller she looks out of the water, but I can assure you that there is still a lot of her to paint!
I have been busy down in the bunkers cleaning out 25 years of slime, grease and unmentionables ready for painting and I hope for this to be finished very shortly. It is very dark and cramped down there, a most unpleasant job but well worthwhile. This season's layup is all about securing her future and carrying out preventative work, so I shouldn't complain really...it could be worse!
The boiler inspector is coming on the 15th Jan and work on the modifications is about to start courtesy of Len Pullinger from the Isle of Wight Steam Railway who will be overseeing the manufacture of a taller steam dome and lines to prevent the engine from priming...something that has plagued us during the 2008 season. Len really is an unsung hero for Monarch, when we considered bringing her to the Island we asked him if he would look after her should things go horribly wrong and I don't think that anybody could have ever forseen just how much assistance he would eventually provide!! Sometimes it's just a couple of hours workshop use at the railway, others a comforting second opinion and then the occasional bit of total hands on craftsmanship by him!! I would urge all readers of this blog and users of the Monarch to support the railway, especially as the boiler fund for Calbourne has been started up again. By supporting Len and his crew you are in some way helping the Monarch as well!
There are a few Friends of Monarch coming through now, but we need more!! If you only feel able to pop aboard for an hour a week and do a bit of polishing or want to go the whole hog and join me to crew the boat-you are most welcome! To be honest, you don't even have to DO anything by being a friend, just join up and let us annoy you every now and then with an update on the boat and get invited to 'exclusive' (!) get togethers in the pub!

Until next time,

The Skip