Unfortunately, the parts I need to finish the installation of the cabin light didn’t arrive until after dark, so that is put off for a day. I did manage to get some work done, just not everything I wanted.
This is the original cabin light switch. It is very mucky as you can see.
And the terminals on the inside are a bit corroded, but it still works. I don’t know whether to be surprised at that or not. Still, it works, so it will be reused although not without a fuse in the circuit, just in case.
This is the reason why you don’t put cable clips into wood with steel pins in a marine environment. Some of the pins have completely wasted away in the wood and others have split the clips.
This one is partially wasted and it split the clip.
The cable was also disintegrating, as I pulled it out of the clips my hands became sticky with decomposed plastic and the cable broke open in places exposing the copper wire inside. I suspect that the cable was pre-1977 since it had red and black interior cables. Still, it will be replaced with newer cable.
I also drilled the holes in the cabin top for the light base screws.
These bronze screws are screwed in from the outside…
… and into the light base on the inside, suitably cut down such that they do not protrude through the base.
I had to remove the polystyrene tiles in that section before doing this. I don’t know what Charles used to glue the tiles to the boat but it is really tough. So far the wood under the tiles ss still good although the paint is coming off in a few places. Eventually the underside of the cabin top will need to be repainted, but that might not happen in this cycle. The aim is to get Shoal Waters back in the water for next season and that will mean not doing some of the tasks that are not necessary.
Still, things are progressing. The marine plywood from Robins Timber was delivered yesterday afternoon, four sheets of 6mm and two sheets of 4mm all full sheets of 2500mm x 1220mm. Most of that is for the new, lightweight dinghy that also needs to be built before Shoal Waters is put back in the water unless her mooring is one close enough to the shore to be able to walk through the mud to board. Hopefully this will be the case. The dinghy will then be used for getting to the boat when she is afloat and also using it as a sled when transferring heavy items to the boat. Simply put them in the dinghy and push it across the mud.
Time for a cup of tea.