"HAYLEY LOUISE"

Model                       :                   Norman Conquest

Cockpit                    :                   Center

Year                          :                   1972

Engine & Fuel        :                   Outboard

Capacity                  :                   20 hp

Toilet                         :                   Portapotti

COMMENTS

Last year I bought "Hayley Louise” – formerly “Kim" after months of searching for the right one.  I started out looking for a Sheltie but saw some very nice Normans and decided I wanted one.  I searched for about 3 months and saw some over priced wrecks, sorry projects! In the end I found the one I wanted and got her home for the winter.

It all started with a good clean inside and out to give me a much better idea of what I need to do.  Outside very little was needed.  Still in its original gel coat I decided not to paint - a few scratches to polish out and some new antifoul did it. Oh ! and tidy up the silicone sealant around the windows that looked like it went on with a trowel.  Inside it was a bit sparse to say the least - No electrics,  No gas and No Loo !  So the plan was  to be ready for a launch into the Trent at either Sawley or Shardlow as of Apr 06.

From September I rewired the boat to include internal, external lighting, fitted a bilge pump, new battery, battery charger, mains supply and radio/cassette/ CD player. The galley cupboard was replaced and tiled and I finished the front cabin off with new cushions, carpet, paint etc.  The rear cabin is still as was but as it was only a spare bedroom/store I decided it could wait till next winter.

The engine with the boat was a 20hp Yamaha and best I could make out was nearly 30 years old.  I had it running but sorting out the wiring and charging circuit on it was a nightmare. Despite the fine help I received from the forum I was still not happy with it.  2 strokes like to be worked hard and that wasn’t going to happen at 4-5 mph on the Trent & Mersey.  So I took the plunge and bought a new 15hp Tohatsu 4 stroke.

The April 06 launch went ahead and as you can see we were off from Sawley in some very squally weather.  The joys of boating !  Funny how my two daughters – yes you’ve guessed it Hayley & Louise were never around at the locks when it rained.

Regards to all on the forum

Ollie