The Inside Story

Hi all

My apologies for the relatively short post yesterday. I'm now sporting new glasses with a new prescription that are taking a bit of getting used to. The varifocal width is different to my old specs and so the drawback is headaches while I get used to them. I'm sure that will dissipate as my eyes get accustomed to the new glasses.

As promised here are the pictures of progress on AmyJo's interior starting from the stern working forward.

In the back cabin the electrics and controls cupboards are nearly finished with just the switches for the navigation light, tunnel lamp and horn to go on. There are also a few doors to be put on too


 
Like Tom on Waiouru, I too now have a garden shed though construction is far from complete. The metal frame is bolted together in sections and can be completely removed for access if required while the wooden cover panels will also be removable for day to day maintenance. Apart from the batteries to go in under the steps the engine is now pretty much complete and ready to run.
 


The rear bathroom is now complete with cupboard doors. I did not photograph it as it was pretty complete last time I was there, just doors missing that are now in place.

In our bedroom the wardrobes, cupboards and chest of drawers are all in pace as is the bed though the wardrobe doors and door handles are yet to be done.

 

 

The dayroom/second bedroom is almost complete.  The side door windows are installed as is the glass cabinet and both washing machine and tumble drier are now in place.




The cupboard doors in the open position close off the day room giving privacy when used as a second bedroom


 
 

In the wet room the vanity unit is now installed as is the toilet.  The shower is complete apart from the screen.  We also have Fernwoods now familiar under gunnels cupboards for storage.  We like the way they are hidden away when closed.




 
 
 
Next the Galley has had the worktops, sink and hob put in place.  The cupboard doors were being prepared while I was visiting so should be installed on our next visit.




 

Finally the saloon was looking fantastic with the floor being polished, the TV cabinet in place but needing completing.  Best of all the hobbit was now sporting it’s flue and was ready to be used, we're looking forward to that.


 

As I mentioned in our last post the end of the fit out is now in sight and we are over the moon with AmyJo so far.  Already we feel she will be comfortable and look forward to spending time getting to know her when she is launched on the 27th.  Andy Russell, our artist, is on hand ready to do AmyJo’s external artwork a week after next and is already working on the back cabin doors as I type.  
 
We have been busy at home buying all manner of things like mugs, tea, coffee  and sugar jars, table mats and coasters. All the usual paraphernalia needed to live on board. The bank manager’s smile has receded with every withdrawal but we think it worth every penny so far.  I have also got an insurance quote to hand and once we have the final price for AmyJo from Fernwoods that will be in place for launch.  I use Navigators and General for our Enterprise dinghy and they have given me a very good quote to insure AmyJo so we look like using them.

So that's the latest so far.  Chris and I have one final visit to the workshop on the 21st before launch day and by then AmyJo should be pretty much ready for the cut and system testing will be taking place.  Last thing then is the boat safety certificate so we’ll have our fingers crossed for that.