Rebuilding the houseboat deck- zoro's fishing spot.

[Litespeed]

The deck on Michele's house boat has gone soft, so time for a rebuild.

 

I will post photos in next few days as I fix the deck.

 

Zoro is upset as the boards have been removed and looks weird to him. He still comes for a fish but he noticed the difference.

[old man emu]

What are you going to use for the decking?

[ClintonB]

if its a pirate house boat will it be arrrrrd wood?

[Litespeed]

Arrrh my mateys, she be Edward woodwood.

 

The house is actually on big floating concrete dock pieces filled with foam. On top is wood structure which basically floats on top. Only some of the decks where fresh water settles have rotted. It's structural pine H3 beams and cheap Bunnings Aerospace deck boards.

 

The beams have short sections rotted that I will replace by sistering to existing and will brace together for added strength, then new boards on top.

 

A quote would be $5k minimum.

So far $180, and should be done at $300 in bits and bobs.

 

Today I assessed the job with beer and bird as supervisor. Tomorrow start the hard yakka.

 

 

 

[Litespeed]

Zoro supervision as the moon rises.

[Litespeed]

Once I have done the deck, I might add a additional 3-4ft to the deck as a BBQ and fishing area.

 

Will be floating free but attached, have enquired about some older floating dock. 

 

Will also be adding more floatation at back, it sits lower by 6 inches.

 

First real work on the beast after 24 years floating, so not bad at all.

[nomadpete]

Curious...

Do houseboats have to meet Australian building standards for habitable structures?

Are they even legal homes?

I believe in some places they are totally banned.

And NSW has even strict limits on how long a visiting yachtie can live aboard.

 

I'm not trolling, just curious.

[rgmwa]

Need a proper pic of Zoro's houseboat to see where this deck is going.

[spenaroo]

6 hours ago, nomadpete said:

Curious...

Do houseboats have to meet Australian building standards for habitable structures?

Are they even legal homes?

I believe in some places they are totally banned.

And NSW has even strict limits on how long a visiting yachtie can live aboard.

 

I'm not trolling, just curious.

i believe it comes under marine survey.

the standards are pretty strict. and unlike houses they put on a slip and inspected every couple of years.

needs to get a survey certificate for insurance etc...
 

and to get that certificate it must meet current regulations. not those at time of building.
so plenty of things need to be updated with EPA etc... for sewerage and grey water 

[Litespeed]

Yes it's a real pain in the bum for NSW.

 

Officially it's illegal to spend more than 30 days on board in the state per year. That's for any boat.

But if you cross a border your fine 365 days. It's ridiculous and not enforced by maritime unless you are trouble.

 

It was changed during the Olympics to clean up the harbour.

 

Officially no one lives on marinas in NSW, but everyone knows it's a joke and water police and maritime won't enforce.

 

It must meet rego and marine standards, electrical and has gas certificate. Must be insured.

 

Officially it's a floating office.

 

No photos today, spent day do Centrelink bullshit.

 

 

[facthunter]

There's no way off the Treadmill. Nev

[spacesailor]

More Bureaucratic stupidity. 

" Gas certification " . Is not required for the same equipment 

that is not fixed . ( temporary ) , disconnected when not in use

spacesailor

[Litespeed]

But the fish 🐠 don't read rules.

 

Step 1. Throw in a prawn jighead.

Step 2. Wait 60 seconds.

 

Step 3. Take bragging shot

 

After a hard day, at least the fish God's love me.

 

2.8 kg wet and 1.8 kg of fillets.

 

Yum

[willedoo]

That's Zoro's dinner sorted; what are you blokes going to eat?

[Litespeed]

He caught small gar fish and some of the prawns that attracted the prize. A lovely fat mulloway- jewel/Jew fish.

 

He went absolutely nuts when he saw the first prawn arrive, his favourite.

 

Now I just have to get some raw tiger prawns and cook up my chef's special.

 

Jew fish in a 🐅 prawn butter cream sauce top with prawns.

 

Yummmm

 

 

🍺🐠😁

Edited September 19 by Litespeed

[old man emu]

9 hours ago, Litespeed said:

Now I just have to get some raw tiger prawns and cook up my chef's special.

Guess you can skip the fish oil capsule today.

[Litespeed]

After slashing my hand on Thursday, my RN friend banned me from working yesterday and the weather was crap.

 

Today was mostly sunny with quickly passing showers so it was game on.

 

Naturally 5 mins in , my hand split open and bleed on the job everywhere. After a quick application of more Steristrips (acts as stitches), I was bandaged and good to go with refusal of medical advice, I got stuck in.

 

So here is the progress shots.

I have braced and sistered all the wood beams after removing the rotted sections.

The corner must take the load of a large cleat to tie the boat to a dock, it must be strong enough to tow slowly. 

 

I will add some extra bracing pieces Monday, throw in some paint to protect the works, then put down the new boards.

 

The post holding up the roof was basically free floating as a previous actual carpenter imbecile ( not this salt chippy) had removed 80% of its base when installing it. It's now fully strong and bracketed with 150mm bugle screws holding it firm to all the timbers including a sister piece.

 

I can now bounce up and down on the corner and it's rock solid. With a few more infill beams added then the boards screwed in, it will be finally shipshape in that area.

 

All the fasteners are stainless marine grade, an absolute must on a boat. No nails as they become a nightmare for inspection or repairs.

Many of the boards were fine but split when pulled up- I hate nails.

 

The fun part is having to screw 150mm bugle screws in from the outside. For the sides, I had to push the boat away from the dock then drive the screw in as the boat floats back into the dock. Working on water adds challenges but it's fun.

 

[old man emu]

14 minutes ago, Litespeed said:

Working on water adds challenges

Christ! Misread that the first time.

[spacesailor]

Walking on water.

That's a miracle. 

Unless frozen solid . But now you can ride a motorcycle on water 

spacesailor

[onetrack]

I see a power saw. Be very careful with power tools, and your already-displayed, lack of care towards body parts. We don't want to have to rename you "Lefty".

[nomadpete]

Do we need to create a special category for reno projects?

 

Zoro's deck renovation?

[old man emu]

2 hours ago, nomadpete said:

Do we need to create a special category for reno projects?

 

Zoro's deck renovation?

I reckon it would be a great idea.

 

We could get Ian to move Jerry's, Litespeed's, the jet boat one, and mine to it so we don't have to go searching other topics to find the one we want. Also, we would not need to restrict it to building renovations. I bought this old adjustable wrench from the Men's Shed have started to restore it.  That would be a way to show the techniques involved.

 

[spacesailor]

Looks like a " Dick " .

But too plain to be a " Dick " .

spacesailor

[spacesailor]

Has that shifter got the " King Dick " brand name .

Someone is asking $100 for theirs .

spacesailor

[old man emu]

Not named. It's a nice solid bit of gear. I've just spent some time filing the casting seam excess from the spine of the handle. I am going to polish it to ee if I can get a chromed-like finish. To bad my nickel plating stuff is packed away, or I would plate it.