#62 - Welding up a leaky bottom

Remember we're doing all of this so we can go full time cruising as a sailing family in a few years time.

This is obviously a huge refit and refurbishment of this big, old, abandoned steel yacht and it's not only time consuming, it's complicated and quite expensive so we really do value any help we can get, whether it's helpful advice and comments on the video or gifts through our Amazon Wishlist or actual contributions through Patreon, Paypal and Ko-Fi.

We want to say a HUUUUUUUGE thank you to everyone who has contributed in any way and here are the links if you'd like to help us out at all on this amazing journey.

Our links

Or make a one time contribution via PayPal or Ko-Fi using these links

Our friends and supporters

MONA F&T - Where we get our steel

Weldgas Cymru - Where we get our welding gas and torch bits

We also have an Amazon wishlist.

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[FranklinNewhart]

There is a moment of triumph when a young boy wins at chess. There is also a moment of pride in the elder teacher when he starts winning consitantly. I had the opportunity when I was in my twenties to teach my nephew to play chess. He was 6 when he started and when he was about Jack's age he finally beat me and by a year later it had become a tough match. Years later he was in the Canadian Navy aboard HMSC Toronto and I had the opportunity to visit the ship for a week of travel aboard. Clifford was a Midshipman at that time and had won some Chess championships while in the navy. I no sooner arrived in the mess and a chess board was placed between us to see the the master and student play. We had a grand audience and a lot of bets where placed. Don't let them keep beating you Jack. Show him who the real master is.

[bigjohn]

Melissa never ceases to amaze me she cracks on by herself gets the job done.

[dandrakenholt]

You are not afraid of doing this project, it says alot about you as individuals but also as a family. I can easily see the big picture here; not being afraid of a complicated project but singing as you are going along. That´s in my book worth all stars. I keep following you, be sure of that!!! Dan/Sweden

[gfroese]

A little trick . When installing the patches, weld small tabs [ one side only ] on edge [ just tacked strong enough to hold plate in place ] that run, oh say 10 cm on the hull and 10 cm on the unwelded patch . Do that all the way around . Then when welding the patch into place, there is less chance of welding gap changing . When done, just hit tabs over from unwelded side [ bend them over untill they break off ] and clean up with grinder . I'm retired now but did a lot of repair on steel plates . I probably didn't explain it right, but just talk to most welders .

[orisj]

You don’t deserve nasty comments! You’re doing a great job and I thoroughly enjoy your videos!

[deb]

Melissa your always working, I really enjoy watching you. You make the rest of us women proud. Your a great mom and welder !!

[clairepapadatos]

Absolutely fudging brilliant, my dears!
You're such an amazing team, with Captain Jack 'at the hem'!🤭❤❤❤

[bjbrown]

That bit at the end with Captain Jack climbing around looks like good training for going up the rigging!

[ShipHappensUK]

Melissa your welding sounded great! (More consistent than Andy's! ☺) keep up the great work!

[koningbolo]

On the dingy bumper idea again: Maybe you can find these larger diameter stiff hose somewhere which can act as bumpers...

[koningbolo]

sharp corners (in its windows) did bring 2 planes down back in the 60ś...So good man to listen to those in the know...

[miru]

You are right that you make small patches and that you do them one at a time. You can be sure that nothing will deform.

[koningbolo]

9:16 took me while to realize you guys changed welding personnel... In any case the welding crew is well team build... Keep the practical jokes going...

[lancedaniels]

Thanks for posting and sharing. Great work on the stern, an it looks like the sanding is going well. The revealed patch is a surprise to see!

[G-Classified]

I just love watching you guys, I love how you guys get down and dirty and show Jack how to do things. It brings back memories with my dad and grandpa in the auto body shop working on cars

[joepence]

Hi Andy; In answere to your question about the size of holes to cut in the stern hull bottom:....don't worry about it. Your treatment of the corners of the rapair plates is fine, and whichever size of repair you decide to do will work out well. The only time you might have cracking is if you were to try and weld up small round patches (less than 2" in Diam.) as they will sometimes crack unless welded part way around and then completed after everythinng has cooled. The structure of your boat as viewed from the inside of the hull through your recent patch looks as though it is a 'frameless' design, possibly a Van de Stadt model, and they are an excellent european design house.
Keep on hitting that pile of steel and you will do fine.
Skip

[MrELOIGOMES]

Starting and ending the video with Captain Jack is priceless. A lot of work still needs to be done, but things are getting done, and that's what matters. Tell Jack to be calm, soon this channel will have 100K...! Kisses and hugs from this old Brazilian sea wolf.

[briansmythe]

Awsome, I can"t help notice Andy always has too Work When the going gets Hard, LOL Just Joking LOL

[paulbiezing]

The amazing Melissa at work. I can think of dozens of women who wouldn’t do what she does weekly

[stevecoe-pcjunke]

I see the two of you have now become comfortable with your welding abilities that you are actually welding on the hull, that's great! It actually sounds like Melissa's welding is a bit smother than yours Andy, just saying. Melissa, hat's off to you on the tedious sanding, you go girl!