At the end of week #8 and the cabin exterior, fly bridge and cabin bulkheads have been installed. Interior stairs down to the forward cabin and cabin floor plates are fitted. Almost all interior welding has been completed.
We are in to week 1 of this build and yesterday had the Buddhist blessing ceremony for the boat. According to local Thai tradition this will ensure a smooth build process with safety for the workers. I guess that they feel happy in their hearts after each ceremony and to date all of our alloy builds have gone relatively smoothly with no work related accidents.
This vessel will be powered by 286 HP Steyr inboard diesels coupled to Q-SPD surface drives for a top speed of over 30 knots and very economical cruising speeds. The boat will also require controlled trolling speeds as low as 3 knots and this has been taken into consideration within the mechanical installation.
Setting up the building jig
Setting the keels on to the jig.
Installing bulkheads and frames
Buddist monk marking the boat with gold paint and gold leaf
Monk blessing with ritual water and Buddist prayers
Fireworks going off with a bang.
Tradition has it that the fireworks ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune. The bangers are certainly powerful and loud enough!
Finally have one of these boats in the water and under power. The vessel performs and handles very positively. The customer required addition of helm station handrails,seats and cover to the upper deck so this affects performance slightly with the twin 250 HP outboards. We will add full sea trial data in the next post.
10.85M, twin 250HP outboards
Due to its’ somewhat awkward dimensions for shipping and the fact that we had to wait a considerable time for the shipping agent to come up with an 80cm high MAFI trailer the ferry loading was somewhat delayed. However, the vessel has now been commissioned in Brisbane, Australia with twin Yamaha 300 HP engines installed.
This project has suffered some delays, however, completion date is getting nearer and we will shortly start to build the shipping cradle. The hull and superstructure has been rotary buffed as the boat is not being painted. Many small practicable additions have been made to the base design for ease of servicing in the future and we think the boat looks great!
All fabrication apart from handrails and a few small jobs is now complete and full welding of superstructure will be finished next week. The bow ramp, side door, stairs to upper deck and deck hatches fit well with the look and purpose of this vessel.
View with bow ramp closed
Bow ramp shown in open position
Starboard side view
Side door in open position
View of port side forward seat and deck
Deck hatches allow storage for empty scuba tanks
Stairs to the upper deck
Now into week 11 work on the ferry for Pumpkin Island in Australia is progressing smoothly. Full welding of hull and decks is complete and fabrication of the superstructure and upper deck is well underway.
Windows and doors have been ordered and should arrive by the end of this month. Engines for this boat will be fitted in Australia so sea trials will also be done there.
