Thursday 20 October

Yesterday evening I gave a presentation at the Denmark Riverside Club General meeting in support of the motion that Denmark Rowers should amalgamate with the Riverside Club to share their great facilities. This has always been part of our plan. The motion was carried unanimously I’m happy to say and we will now have somewhere to store and row from after November 5th. Thanks to all those who supported the motion especially the Dragon Boat Club who’s shed we will share.

This morning Paul W and John I joined me in the shed and helped me dry fit and cut to length the outer gunwale or rubbing strip. They then sanded the underside of the inner gunwale while I went off to be safety officer for the delicate task of sliding a new trailer under JP’s Couta boat. This was a bit like a magic carpet trick with a very heavy carpet. The boat is up in the air supported by beer kegs and had to be progressively jacked up with two jacks so the kegs and jacks could be moved as the trailer slid under the boat. Half an hour estimate extended like a piece of string and it was 11am before we returned to Harry’s shed for morning tea just as the first shower started.

Ready to slide the trailer under JP’s Couta boat, Sally-Anne.

After tea break we set about glueing the outer battens on. We were mid way through buttering up when JohnI’s wife and visiting Canberra relatives turned up to have a look at the boats. We couldn’t stop and chat unfortunately. We had plenty of squeeze out on the first batten and I overestimated the amount of glue for the second because of the squeeze out excess. We had the usual problems trying to get the top edge to stay flush with the top of the gunwale as the clamps had other ideas. We did a thorough clean up job so hopefully we will have reduced the required sanding as my fingers are getting quite sore.

A good fit at both ends means I must now be proficient and cutting these battens.

Paul and john went home and I stayed and caught up with JD who came in the shed to make sure we were happy with his overnight work on the towing eye U bolt. I asked him if he would like to think about how to drill straight holes for the same fitting in boat 2 and he went away and made a jig with wood and pieces of metal pipe. While he was doing this I painted the oar blades with two-pack primer.

I’ll be in again tomorrow if anyone would care to join me.

Cheers Dave