It's the 30th January 2008 and Drew steers Jaguar towing Greyhound being steered by Matt from Narrowcraft's Grendon Dock to Alvecote Marina. She was towed as a main engine bearing had seized on her way to a commercial job.
And on the 3rd February she is lifted out by the crane...
... onto the low loader to start her longest ever journey, almost 900 miles each way as the crow flies.
She safely arrives in Poland and is placed in the Narrowcraft factory in Malbork, near Gdansk for this picture on the 13th February
Parts are stripped down by the 11th March to enable the gunwhales to be replaced including ...
... the engine 'ole which lies by the side ...
... and the Bolinder engine
The worn bottom boards are removed
and the new bottom fitted for this picture on 11th March
And on the morning of 1st April 2008 the new cabin top is lifted...
...onto the new bulkheads and...
... placed in situ before midday
Then on 10th April, after clearing away the April Fool cabin top attention moves to the fore-end
Which Drew checks out on the 13th May during a visit to the factory
At which time the Engine 'Ole lies in primer after shot blasting
1st September 2008 and she is moved into position for the work to start on aligning the engine, the bed of which is seen in the foreground on the pallet truck.
And the engine bed is placed in situ for aligning
Which is discussed at length!
While the Bolinder Engine sits waiting for her new bed in an empty bay in the factory (centre mid-right for those still trying to spot it!) on 3rd September 2008
While on 2nd September the Engine 'Ole is prepared for positioning.
Which I check out on 16th October 2008
12th Jan 2009 and I'm back in the factory and place the engine into the boat
Before we strip it down and use an A Frame to lift out the heavier parts including here the piston
and after placing the base of the engine on the beds I get measuring first the engine room...
...then the cabin
Then on 14th Jan 2009 while I leave some parts in soak to degrease and clean
I find time to pose for a photo!
21st January between factory vists and they've fitted the engine room floors and supports for the cabin a few days before I fly out to oversee the next stage.
10th February and the fore end is complete...
... and the counter.
11th Feb and the boat is nearly ready to leave the steelwork bay so work can begin on the woodwork.
3rd March and I'm back in Poland this time with Matt and complete the steelwork such as the engine 'ole doors...
...and the back end bulkhead.
Finally before flying home and leaving the boat heading to the paint oven we align the rudder stock and skeg.
On arrival back in Poland on the 15th April the boat is in the paint oven at the factory and the first layer of primer applied
and after I explain the positioning for the wooden panelling to Maciek
the second grey primer coat is applied
Then the first flashes of colour!
When I return to Poland on the 6th May 2009 I find a present to unwrap
and then we bend the oak gunwhales into place and fit new bracing chains
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