So I have started my restoration project. I will post my progress here with as many pics so if you notice me doing anything stupid please let me know. This is the first time I have restored anything but as you can see from the photos Quo Vadis really needs some love and care before the next season.
So I started today by removing some of the previous owners additions and have discovered there will be quite a bit to do. All the wood on the seats needs replacing and what is left needs to be sanded and re varnished.
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Hopefully I will get some time over Christmas to do some work.
Hi all, I brought Quo Vadis in Reading last year via this site and as as far as I know the previous owners had it for 5 years. Before that I'm not sure but a local lock keeper has said she has been on the Thames for the past 20 years.
It's possible she may have been on the Gt.Ouse but couldn't say. I would love to know the full history.
I intend to restore her back to a fine glory and the work starts in full tomorrow so I will post as much as I can here.
Today I managed to strip most the wooded doors and main engine cover. These will be remade as the wood was getting quite brittle.
I found all sorts of big spiders and a hibernating wasp living behind so evicting these has made me feel more comfortable already.
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Next steps are to rewire and assemble the new panels. Luckily the wife doesn't mind (yet) the living room and kitchen full of boat bits over Christmas.
I started today by sanding down all the wood I removed the other day. Would definitely recommend one of those hand held sanders.
I went down to the boat to measure up for the new wood required for the benches and decided to have a look under the floor, glad I did. It was quite a mess down there and now have a new job on my hands.
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Not sure how long it has been like that but looking at how damp the wood was must have been a while.
Started on the windows this afternoon. Used Peek Polish http://www.tripeek.com for cleaning the frame work, was amazed how good it was. See the contrast in the photos.
Haven't posted for a while as have been in the workshop making all the new bits. So far a new floor (removable to keep an eye on the hull) and new benches (Pics below)
Still have some varnishing to do but hope to have complete by next week.
Before I put the new sections in I will need to sand down and varnish the side panels but as I can only get down to the boat yard at the weekends so this may take a while.
Other jobs on the list are to strip the deck paint, fix the canopy frame and re-wire all the electrics, glean the grp and antifoul the hull.
Hope the mild winter stays as it's outside work from now on.
I received my new canopy side this morning made by Gary at CoverIt. The colours are slightly different as it is so new but hoping a clean and colour restore of the older material should make it a little unnoticeable. Still it's better than an old tent. Anyone got good recommendations for cleaning canvas?
Spent the day doing a bit of painting ready for the new floor to to down. Tested the new benches for fit and needed a slight trim down as the measurements I took were to precise.
Also started on the new helm and made this switch and dial panel.
Only 7 weeks before she goes back in the water with so much to do.
Is it canvas or vinyl? I clean my canopy with a mild soap and water solution then treat it with Autoglym vinyl and rubber care, Keeps it nice and supple. Usually repeat the Autoglym 2-3 times a season and just before overwintering.
Will start with good old soap and water and then the harder stuff if needed.
As I can't get to the boat during the week I'm back in the house making bits. Got the new helm panel done. It's this shape to cover all the existing holes in the bulkhead. I plan to leave the bulkhead but cut the section and replace with the panel I made. Needs lots of sanding but confident it will work.
A bit nerve-racking cutting big holes in your boat but please with the results.
Norman 20 restoration
Posted - 18 Dec 2011 : 14:17:35
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