Well we had a interesting trip down to the Orwell.
The nearside rear wheel bearing cried enough with about 20 miles to go.
We let it cool down fo a while and then carried on slowly with fingers crossed.
The truckers on the A14 where not to happy with us crawling along at 30 mph.
Make a change as I am usually stuck behind them while their sit side by side for mile after mile.

Anyway we made it to Levington and launched Sirenia.
The starter motor really did not wan to play so we had to rope her over to the nearest pontoon.
Then it was a quick check for leaks.
There was no water getting in around the keel but the new transducer under the forcabin bunk was leaking a bit.
That was soon cured.

We persuaded the started motor to play by shorting out the terminals on it.
Following that is was sort  of o.k for the rest of the week.

Filled up with fuel and went out to one of the buoys of SYH to get the sails on.
Met up with a fellow fourmitte and layed along side him to get things sorted and then of for a first sail.
Magic.
I could not get tha silly grin off my face.

Spent the rest of the week around the area commissioning bits of kit, sailing and finishing of some none critical items.

Still quite a few things to do but she is now very usable.

She is now on her new mooring at Ramsholt and I am back in Cambridge.
I keep checking on her using the alarm system that will text me with a status report in response to a text from me.

Of to The East Coast this weekend to make sure she floats and all the new bits work.
I have all week off to shake things down and sort out and issues.
Still quite a few jobs that I want to do but none that stop us using her.

Not looking forward to the long tow on the A14 tomorrow afternoon but I am really looking forward to getting back afloat.

We have had  a good couple of weekends.

Mast is now sorted with the running and standing rigging attached and the mast hoisting system worked out.

It was nice and calm on Sunday and we hoisted the sails to check that they fitted.
They do.

The lining is nearly complete in the main cabin with working lights and everything.
The electronics are up and running.

I have painted on a white boot topping on the starboard side and that really sets the paint job off.
I can't get at the port side at the moment as it is close to the fence.

The Eber heater has died and I an having to get a replacement ECU for it.
That is costing as much as the heater cost

The tiller pilot has decided to pack up now we are getting there.
Got to send that off the Raymarine to get it sorted.

One more weekends work will see her ready for the water (With quite a list of outstanding minor jobs).

Intend to launch her on the bank holiday Saturday and spend the week on board sailing and finishing off things.

Paint work now finished and looking good.

Pre-launch survey carried out by Dominic Buckly of East anglia Yacht Surveys.
All o.k.

Engine in, aligned and run.

Now busy bolting all the deck fittings back on and replacing the Port side cabin windows.

We had the new mast up last weekend to check lengths required for the new standing rigging.
Rigging now delivered.

Seem to be spending a lot of time looking for parts that I know are some where but where?
Very frustrating.
I am an untidy chap!
I also seem to be making plenty of trips to the local Nut & Bolt shop.

Another few weekend should see her on the water.

Today we have put the 1st undercoat on the decks, cabin top and cockpit.

We had hopped to do it yesterday with a 2nd coat today but once we had got her in the workshop and had a final look over the areas to be painted we found some areas were not as good as we thought.
Finally had her ready at 8 p.m. last night.

She is now very white!

Still have to scrape off the antifouling as the base coat the was on when we got her is flaking off the Epoxy sealing coat that is under it.
So two more weekends in the workshops.

Saturday
Turned Sirenia round so I can get at the Port side to finish striping paint off the cabin side and applied paint stripper covered with cling film.
Got that to wash off tonight.

Sunday
Made up a new wiring loom for the engine and got the engine running.

Sorry to all for the long gap in updating this.

The refurbishment work is going quite well.

Getting the old paint off the decks, cabin and cockpit have been a nightmare.

She had been painter with household gloss and masonry paint!

Nearly all off now thanks to £120 worth of Dilunett paint stripper and a large roll of industrial cling film.

Just one side of the cabin, most of the vertical surfaces in the cockpit and a few patches on the decks to complete.

The only way to keep the Dilunett active for long enough to eat its way though the paint is to cover it in cling film and make sure all the air is excluded.

On the wiring side the main batteries are installed.

We have fitted a BEP master battery switch system with a split charging relay included.

2 switch panels are made up and installed.

One has a maintained supply section for 2 bilge pumps, an alarm system and a heater.

We have installed an commissioned a Standard Horizon chart plotter, A SH DSC/VHF, and a FM/CD/MP3 radio.

There is a Nexus NX2 instrument system in the process of commissioning.

We were sold the system with the assurance that it can use the existing Navman Transducers.

This is proving difficult to achieve.

The supplier is trying to sort the issue at the moment.

The alarm system has a mobile phone in it and 4 alarm zones, 4 gauge inputs, and 4 outputs.

Once it is all set up the system should contact me if a bilge pump runs.

It has been fun working out how to interface it with the bilge pumps.

I will be able to get the system to send me a text with the status of quite a few things on the boat.

I will also be able to turn thing on and of via a text.

The heating will be the main target of that.

The heating is a 2nd hand Eberspδcher D2 unit.

I have had it running on the bench and have worked out how to get it to start via the alarm.

Just need to install it and get it running on the boat.

Still to install.

New paint to deck, cabin top etc.

All the deck fittings.

NASA AIS engine linked to the plotter.

Autohelm

Engine to go back in.

Engine wiring to install along with new control panel.

All deck fitting

New mast, boom and standing rigging.

re line the cabin roof and sides.

As so on and on.

Had hoped to get back on the water at Easter.

I now think that it will be some time in May.

Good News.

I have been offered my own mooring at Ramsholt.

Needless to say I have accepted.

Agreed to buy 4 No. 6v 240Ah batteries from a Forum Member (JoeQ) who is based in Glasgow.

Another Forumite (Antarctic Pilot) who lives in Cambridge and shares a boat with his brother on the Clyde has offered to bring them to Cambridge for me.

Thanks to the both of them.

JG Tech have now delivered the new Nexus NX2 sailing instrument system I ordered from them.

I am looking forward to playing with that.

More work to the holes in the Starboard deck on Sunday.

2 layers of bi axial mat epoxied in the stanchion base holes and a large plywood backing piece epoxied under the foredeck to take a new Bollard in place of the cleat that was puled out of the deck during Sirenia's recovery.

Lots of sums done working out the size of fuse / contact breaker needed for each circuit in the new switch boards we are planing.

More layers added to the outside of keel box

We got things sorted with the new router (£19.90 from Aldi) on Saturday and cut out the old plywood pads from under the starboard side deck.

Wood and GRP shavings every where!

New ply pads scribed in and glued with thickened epoxy resin.

We also striped out the remainder of the old wiring looms and made initial plans for the new electrical installation.

On Sunday I managed to shape the edges of the holes in the deck ready to start building up the areas.

I also ground out the cracked areas inside the keelbox with a Dremel.

I then had to carry out family duties for the rest of the day.

Last weekend we had a good go at sorting the keelbox leak.

The flap of GRP at the front of the box was cut off.

Then having a poke around inside the keel box a definite hole was found.

We then built up a repair by layering woven rovings and bi-axial glass using West System epoxy resin around the front of the box and about 8" along each side.

Most of the deck furniture was removed ready to strip off the old deck paint.

The engine has be brought home ready to reinstall once I am happy with the keel box.

We also had a play with the toys from the SIBS.

Very pleased with them.

Today I washed off some paint stripper that I had put on the port side deck on Thursday evening.

It shifted quite a lot of the paint in the are but it also had the effect of filling her up with water though all the bolt hols etc. in the decks.

So a change of plan.

I have now started on the repairs to the side deck where the stanchions where pushed though.

I have cut out the damaged areas and started to router out the plywood pads in the deck from underneath.

That is a bit back breaking and it is hard to see where you have got to.

I have also been testing a D2 Eber heater that I have obtained.

No more cold nights on board and I can correctly claim a discount on the diesel next year.

Motor sport calls tomorrow.

Hope to do some more next weekend.

I have been busy with some motorsport and family commitments recently so there is little progress.

There was a trip to the Essex Boat Jumble where I picked up some useful bits including new lights for the cabins at half price.

Meet up with Nevil from the YBW forum who kindly gave me some Glass fiber chopped strand matting and polyester resin.

That will be most useful.

I have had a better look at the damage in the keel box and now understand what needs to be done.

The main damage is to the front of the box.

This is only 10mm away from the main bulkhead.

It is going to be difficult job.

Southampton Boat show this weekend.

Found that my C-Map chip has survived the sinking. Result.

Managed to get a good deal on a new Standard Horizon chart plotter and VHF.

Also met the chap who runs JG Tech.

His web site normally has the best prices anywhere.

Now talking to him about the rest of the electronics.

The engine started once we wired up the pre heaters.

Smoked a lot for the 1st 30 seconds.

I think it had a right to do so, we had filled the bores with diesel as soon as we had her out of the water.

Ran the engine for at least 30 minutes all seems o.k.

Gears select o.k.

We lifted Sirenia out of her trailer today using 4 chain hoists.

Keel removed.

There is some damage to the front of the keel box

I have decided that I have got to get Sirenia's keel out of the keel box to make a good repair to the box.
The 9 bolts holding the top block to the main keel casting have badly rusted away and need changing anyway.
I will grind these off.
I do not fancy trying to get the keel into the cabin.
To much weight to be playing with in a confined space.

So to get it out I need to lift Sirenia off the keel.
This involves a vertical lift of some 4 ft.

I have had more of a look round at work and have found that the covered area outside the vehicle workshops is a substantial steel frame structure with beams that I can get strops round 5m above ground level.
We have a lot of strops in the stores.

I can get Sirenia in there on her trailer.

I have managed to get some of the bolts holding the top of the keel on to undo.
They look like they were some sort of cap bolt.
I cut the head of one and was grinding away a bit of it that was stopping the washer from coming off when it started to unscrew.
I then set about the other bolts with a cold chisel and club hammer.
I persuaded 6 of them to come lose in the end.
I have had to cut the heads of 2 more.
So the top section is off the keel and it is ready to drop out of the boat.
I have brought a couple of 5m straps via e-bay.
Just need the chain hoists now.
Going to talk to the local hire co. that we do a lot of business with. 

With a friend I have been looking at the Beta Engine.
It all looks o.k.
When we stripped the engine, we tested the starter motor and it worked o.k.
Put it all back together the other evening and would the starter go.
NO IT WOULDN'T

I have now had a go at it and it is working at the moment.
We will introduce it to the engine again tomorrow and hope that it all works.

Today we put Sirenia in the water for about 3 hours.
There was no evidence of any water around the back of the keelbox where I expected it.
The was a small amount in the locker to the port side of the keelbox.
It appeared to be coming from the front end of the box.
There was no leak from the stern gland.

I think that we need to get the keel out of the box to see what is going on.
That is going to be difficult.
It weighs about 300kg.
it can't be dropped out of the bottom for 2 reasons.
it is sitting on a cross member of the trailer she is on and I have no way of lifting her off the trailer.
There is a large top block on the keel that has been bolted to it for 20 years and for most of that time has been in salt water.
It will have to come out into the cabin if that is possible.
I have e-mailed the Designer Julian Everett to ask his opinion.

This afternoon I have agreed a settlement with the Insurers GJW.

They are making a cash settlement at a very fair figure and paying the recovery costs.
They are not writing her off and will keep the insurance in place at a reduced value until I have completed the repairs.
We will then agree a new value for her and away we go.

I am very pleased with GJW's treatment of this claim.

Sirenia her self is back home and nearly striped out.
We have removed her engine and given it a once over and it seems o.k.
The starter motor is working.
In the next few days we will try to start it.

The electronics seem to have had it.
Nothing wants to fire up.
I have hopes the the C-map chip is o.k. but can't find some one with a plotter that will take it to see if that is the case.
The new Autohelm 1000+ is working but the bottom casing is damaged.
I have a old unit and hope that the case off that will fit.

The plan now is to find the leak by launching her at my local sailing club and then curring it.

A lot of work to get on with now.

My thanks again to all those who turned out to help with the clean up and for all the messages of support from members of the YBW.com East Coast forum.

I am pleased to let you all know that Sirenia is now back home and parked in the car port ready for work to start on her restoration.

Had a quote today for the work.
Not unexpectedly, it is a lot more that the insured value.
Now waiting for the insurance co to get back to me

I have been trying out some of the electronics.
The, new this season, Autohelm 1000+ fires up and seems to be o.k.
The Navman Plotter (New to me this season) is not playing at the moment.
The boards seem o.k.
I need to get some one with a bit more clued up on these thing to look at it.

I can't thank all those who turned out to help enough.
Saturday's work party achieved more in 1 day than I could of managed in a month of Sundays.

Lenseman has taken a lot of "before we started photos"

Here is a small selection.

Before we left her last night we put about a foot of water in her as requested by the Surveyor.

I went back this morning to see if the leak had showed it's self.
The only thing I could see was a small drip at the rear of the keel slot.
The surveyor is going to have a look for him self on Monday.

Again many, many thanks to all the workers.
I would be in a lot worse state that now without your selfless help.

Looking forward to getting her home and getting on sorting her out.
My aim is to be back on the water in time for Oostend next year at the latest.

Starting to think about the refurbishment

The surveyor want me to get 2 quotes for the work.
He has told Felixtowe Ferry Boat Yard to supply one.
He has suggested that I could quote my self.
The big cost items are:-
Mast and standing rigging.
GRP repairs. (Keel box and and repairing the 3 stanchion bases that have been pushed through the balsa cored deck)
New electronics
Re wire all systems
Engine refurbishment
new pulpit
new upholstery
Replace cabin lining

I believe the the work required if carried out at commercial rates would cost more that the insured value.
The alternative is to let them write her off and buy her back.
I don't know what value they would put on her.

A lot of the damage was caused during the recovery.
I am quite confident that I am capable of doing the work.

The hard bits will be fixing the leak and repairing the stanchion bases.

I am tempted to let them write her off and then I would be free to do the job how I want with out any further involvement from them.
I know that I will need a new survey before I could insure her again.

I went to Ramsholt this morning to find Sirenia sitting up right on the mud bank near Roger's mooring with the water level around her slightly higher that normal
I went over to her and found that the water had drained out of her to below the top of the centerboard case.
She was aground on the mud with about 1 hour of the ebb to go.
There was an awful mess in the main cabin with the water up to the top of the engine compartment.
The top 1' of the mast was bent aft at 90 degrees and there was a 45 degree kink in the mast at the point where the sail slides are put into the track

I called the boat yard and then said that they were on their way.
Once they were on scene we had an engine driven salvage pump going and quickly cleared most of the water out.
The keel was right down and wedged in the mud.
We tried to lift it but it was not having it.
We would have to wait for the tide to lift her a bit.
Looking around for the source of the leak we could find nothing obvious.

The mast had been damaged when the barge that they used to drag her from deep water snagged the back stay.
The chaps said that the spreaders on the mast where under water when they arrived.

Once the tide had lifted her a bit we managed to get the keel up and pull her free from the mud.
We had an alongside tow down the Felixstowe Ferry.
There did not appear to be any increase in the water in the bilge during the trip.
Once at the yard she was recovered ashore with their trailer sling thing.
We has a good look all over her bottom and the only thing we could find was a slight bulge at the rear of the slot the keel drops though and a dent where the keel had hit it.

We has caught the keel on the dinghy slip last weekend when going along side the Quay at Ramsholt to unload.
I can only assume that this is the cause of the leak.

I am taking the Trailer down tomorrow with the hope of bring her back to Cambridge on Sunday If the insurance Co will allow that.

Had a good look over Sirenia with the Surveyor
The source of the leak is not obvious.
He has asked that we give her a good clear out and then leave some water in her.
He will go and look at her again on Monday.

I had a call from the office to phone George, The Harbour Master at Ramsholt.
( Thank you to Roger (Sailorman) for acting as the messenger.)
He told me that Sirenia had sunk on her mooring overnight.
He has called out the Felixstowe Ferry boat yard with their recovery barge to try to lift her.
They have managed to get her onto the mud bank nearby and will recover her tomorrow.

I am going there tomorrow to see how bad the damage is and try to find out what happened.

I have informed my insurers (GJW) and they are going to appoint a surveyor who should contact me in the next few days.

Can anyone give me any guidance on things to think about or do to make sure I end up with the best result.

There is no way I will give her up.
I will get her back into use and better than before.

Thanks again to Roger.