just bought her so I
have no idea what she was like to start with. She has a new safety cert but
needs some TLC onboard.
Has anyone got a book on how to handle a Portapotti Continental manufactured
in Nuneaton?
I had sailed my Shetland NoniMay down
the Grand Union to Hereford Marina for an engine service (photo attached)
and while there saw the Norman in a very sad state, stuck in pond weed and
silt.(photo attached)
She had an old Honda engine which had
not been run in many months. The interior was sad to say the least, the
previous owner had just distempered all internal paintwork, damp had got
under it and the inside look like a winter snow fall. He had also covered
all the woodwork with stick on oil cloth imitation wood. All windows in the
canopy were torn and she did need help. Mould was everywhere.
I decided to part exchange the
Shetland for the Norman but would swap engines putting my 15 HP 4 stroke
Yamaha on the Norman and the old 9 HP Honda on the Shetland. I then scrubbed
the decks and moved her to a mooring (photo attached) to get her safety
check completed and to check her over before returning up the Grand Union
to Casiobury Croxley Green Marina where I have my mooring.
Her new name is NoniMay II and she is
beginning to come back to life. The old canopy has gone and a new one being
fitted, the cushions have been recovered, the toilet overhauled and all
electrics checked. The internal paintwork is in work, the oil cloth has been
pealed off the wood and the woodwork will now be rubbed down and
re-varnished. A new sink has been fitted and the cooker checked and safety
cleared. I have fitted an extended rudder to the engine to try to gain more
control. I intend to fit a cockpit passenger seat but no drivers seat I will
stand for that.
She is now safe to sail and we will
take her out, weather permitting, next weekend on a trial. My problem is
over compensation and I am having great difficulty in keeping her on a
straight course and with the confined space on the canals she is a devil to
turn round and inclined to go sideways if not careful. Any suggestions?
I will send some completed photo's
later in the year when all the work is complete.