Jaguar 22. Nearly ready for the season.

Getting there!

Spent the last couple of days in between the rain showers polishing the hull and repairing a few minor holes in the gel coat. Also managed to get the antifouling painted on, and paint half the trailer. Bit of a bugger of a job this. Whilst under the boat I also had a look inside the keel casing. Didn't know what to expect but was still surprised when it only went into the hull about 2-3 inches.

The trailer should be solid now as the two braked indespension units have been replaced. The trailer is currently being painted black (to hide some of my welding) which is structually fine but not the neatest.

Just finishing off the backing plate for the log and depth sounder and then onto rigging the mast prior to dropping it for the journey.

Next week off to Rutland Water for a test sail. About bloody time!

February 18th 2007

Just a quick update today. Last weekend we went to the Newark Boat Jumble. Bargains to be had. I'd Recommend these to anyone. We purchased a Yam 230 Inflatable tender. As new. Had only been used by the Dealer for Demos. Cost £170. Normal retail £389.00+. Also picked up a Porta Potti to replace the sea toilet we removed. Unused, bargain at £20.00. Also a load of other bits and bobs. The next jumble is over in Norwich so we'll be making a visit there as well. I fitted the new fixing to the Autohelm this week along with fixing on the Solar Panel. Welded up the trailer and will be fitting new Indespension units this week. Joy! If anyone has any questions just drop a line in the comments box as these get emailed to me, I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Promise full update and also some piccies this week. Chris

The Dreaded Jaguar 22 Sea Toilet.

Sorry no piccies for this one at the moment, but may have some soon which I'll add. The original toilet fitted to the Jaguar 22 is robust and simple, but does have one major flaw. If any damage is sustained to the valve or through hull fitting the boat will sink. This is due to the design not having a sea cock fitted in the system. We decided to remove the toilet and fittings and glass the hole through the hull. To keep the toilet provision, we are adding a chemical toilet. This isn't everyone's choice but I'm one for thinking holes in the bottom of the boat should be kept to a minimum especially when sitting on a mud berth. Removal of the toilet without writing it off is almost impossible so don't bother being too gentle. At the base of the pedestal are a number of studs with nuts on. Undo these and this should loosen the toilet. One of the studs rotated so I just ground this of with the angle grinder. Then get angry the toilet pull and rock the pedestal, what ever you need to do to crack the through hull plastic pipe. Hopefully the toilet will snap off. You will now be left with a plastic pipe going through the hull and some studs protruding inside the boat. To remove the plastic pipe put a screwdriver down the side of it to crack it. It may take a little time to remove the last remnants. I left the remaining studs in, but ground them flush with the fibreglass reinforcing on the inside of the hull. The intention is to put a false floor in above this glassing to take the new porta toilet. Just bear in mind the height of the toilet, as you want to put the 'berth board' back over the toilet to make the 'v berth' at night. Too taller toilet and this won't fit. To fill the hole I would suggest a good quality epoxy resin along with some chopped strand matting. On the outside of the hull put a flat piece of plastic over the hole and wedge up with a support. If you can, add some release wax to the plastic so the resin comes off even better and makes a smoother finish. Mix the resin and put a thin layer down the hole first from the inside. Then gradually build up layers letting each layer 'go off' first prior to laying up the other. The reason is if the resin is too thick it will generate too much heat when curing and will either go up in flames of go soft. Either way not good news. We used 6 layers prior to capping off with a couple of sheets of chopped stand laminated over the hole on the inside of the boat. Once the first couple of layers have gone off you can remove the support and the plastic. This should leave the bottom of the hull smooth, but may require a little fairing to level off exactly with the hull. This part of the hull will now be stronger than most of the rest of the hull and one less hole in the boat! Next. Probably installation of the Log and Depth Sounder.

Another Day, another task ticked off!

Well what a glorious day out and about! Almost spring weather and just out of January! Todays tasks completed. Started on the trailer today. Ground off one of the indespension units and then prepared the drawbar supports for welding. John started filling in the hole left by the removal of the sea toilet. Another 5 layers of glass to go! The new paddle wheel for the log was fitted and aplan was drawn up for the installation of a new log. Ebay special for £69.00. Bargain. The new carpet was cut, a little faux pas as used the template the wrong way up. Luckily enough carpet to put right. All for now.

Bloody Trailer

I knew it couldn't last! After dropping the keel out succesfully last week it was time to concentrate on the trailer. Having already replaced the tow hitch and had a bit of welding done, the only bit left was the brakes. I thought they may need a repair, but after a quick look in the hub it was obvious it was terminal. two new braked indespension units are required. A nice round £200.00 for the pair. plus a load of grinding the old ones off plus welding a new supporting plate on. Being an old type trailer where you have to flick a catch on the tow hitch prior to reversing they are on special order but Nottingham trailer spares were very helpful. The boats already jacked up, wheels are off so a case of getting my head down tommorrow for some grinding. Joy!