Launch Day!

This will be the last post on this blog, as Hobbit has now been launched. Things didn't quite go according to plan;

The launch was set for Friday the 23rd October, and so with cars loaded with enough gear for a weeks holiday and family gathered at Macclesfield Marina we waited with anticipation. Then came the dreaded call, the lorry that was due to transport Hobbit had broken down. To say we were disappointed was an understatement, but there's not much you can do about it, so with heavy hearts we went to the pub.

We cannot thank Andy from Aintree Boats enough for pulling out all the stops, arranging a crane and new transport for the following morning at such short notice. so with cars loaded off we went again.

The weather gods were not smiling on us as Hobbit arrived.

The sign writing was done by Robin Wragg of Real Signwriting and this was our first proper look at it.

Then it was hearts in mouths as the crane takes the strain.

And within a couple of minutes Hobbit was finally in the water.

And so ends this particular part of the journey as Hobbit now starts her life on the cut.

Thanks for reading

Mark & Anne-Marie
NB Hobbit

Boat Build Week 13

Mixed feelings today as we headed up the motorway to Liverpool, a mixture of excitement and sadness. Sadness because this would be our last visit to Aintree Boats for a while, we will really miss the weekly pilgrimage to see Hobbit being built. It's the whole atmosphere when you arrive, everyone is so friendly and nothing is to much trouble even when your getting in the way to take pictures (Guilty as charged). An added bonus this week was meeting the guys who are doing a great job of fitting Hobbit out.

Now the exciting bit! Hobbit is nearly complete and the launch has been arranged for next Friday (23rd October) cutting it fine, but just in time for our weeks holiday. 

The big difference from last weeks visit was Hobbit's colour, no longer in undercoat but sporting her very shiny topcoats and hull blacking. unfortunately the pictures don't do justice as it's difficult to get the angle as the Beetle Bay is full at the moment.

On the inside, the wet room is complete apart from lights and port hole.

The appliances are being fitted.

We won't see Hobbit again before the launch and so these will be the last pictures of her build progress which is a shame as I would have liked to see everything put back together. The list of things left to do are as follows;

Joinery finished Sunday/Monday
Port holes put in Monday
Painting finished by Wednesday
Engine and drive train Tuesday/Wednesday
Sign writing Tuesday
Electrics connected and inverter fitted Monday

And that's it, still seems a lot to me but apparently for boat builders it's nothing of a job. The next post on here will be pictures of the launch.

Until next time......

Mark & Anne-Marie
NB Hobbit

Boat Build Week 12

Hobbit's progress over the last week has been hampered by unforeseen circumstances, so the launch date has now been moved by a week. It now means the launch will be on the same weekend as the start of our holiday, which may actually turn out to be a blessing in disguise, as we can have a proper shake down cruise.

Problems aside there has been progress, with plug sockets, light switches, lights and TV Ariel socket fitted.

The wet room has had the non slip floor and wall cladding fitted.

While we were visiting, Hobbit was getting a rub down, flattening the undercoat ready for the application of the first layer of topcoat.

Until next week....

Mark & Anne-Marie

NB Hobbit

Boat Build Week 11

It's hard to believe a week has passed since we last saw the boat, as so much has been done. A coat of grey primer has been applied in readiness for the first coats of paint next week.

The inside has seen real progress, with all the fitted furniture now in place. Just the storage cupboard doors and trim need fitting.

The galley is taking shape with the carcass for the sink/cooker unit built. The gas and water pipes are in, as well as the electrics. 

At the moment we are still on course for launching on the 16th, and that means on Monday it'll be a call to the C&RT to get the licence and registration number.

Finally we would like to wish Sue and Guy of Narrowboat Suzie No. 2 good luck with their launch on Thursday. For the last couple of months we have been watching Suzie No. 2 take shape, in fact we have looked forward to our weekly tour of her, as much as seeing Hobbit. Aintree Boats have done an amazing job throughout, especially as she totally bespoke. 

Until next week....

Mark & Anne-Marie
NB Hobbit

Boat Build Week 10

There was lots to see this week on our visit to Aintree Boats. Unfortunately Anne-Marie wasn't able to make the trip due to illness (nothing serious).

The water tank has now been fitted in the bow (just visible behind the panel).

Along with the pipework for the sink, wash basin and shower.

The roof panelling is in place.

Not all the work has been on the interior, the hull has been having some holes drilled in it (above the water line) for the exhaust and various other outlets.

We have pencilled in a launch date of October 16th, which will be one week before our planned holiday aboard, so we are keeping everything crossed!

Until next week.

Mark & Anne-Marie

NB Hobbit

Boat Build Week 9

Saturday saw us making our weekly visit to Aintree Boats to view the progress of Hobbit, and we were amazed at how much had been done in the last week.

The hull, cabin sides and roof have all been smoothed off ready for painting.

Hobbit has received the first fit electrics along with wall cladding and wet room walls.

It was nice to climb aboard and see the the progress.

The lads at Aintree seem confident that Hobbit will be completed in another two weeks, barring any unforeseen problems. This is good news as Anne-Marie and I have a weeks annual leave leave booked in October and have been hoping to use it for our first proper cruise.

In other news, we visited the mooring on Sunday to get it ready. We put in place new mooring rings and a couple of old tyres to act as fenders. 

Anne-Marie added a nice touch to the tyres (Sorry image not very clear, taken on phone)

Mark & Anne-Marie
NB Hobbbit

Boat Build Week 8

We had a good visit to Aintree Boats yesterday. Hobbit has now been spray foamed and the next stage of the build can begin.

Visiting the yard in Liverpool has become something we really look forward to on a Saturday. We are made so welcome by Andy and Jamie and nothing is too much trouble. It’s also fun to meet the other customers and look around their boats, picking up ideas for the future.

Anyway back to Hobbit. The spray foaming looks good (if spray foaming can look good).

The visit also gave us time to have a good nosey around the whole boat before the first coats of paint and blacking are applied. It makes you realise that although Hobbit is only 25ft in length, the amount of fabrication that’s needed is similar a 57ft boat, the only difference being the amount of steel.

Monday sees the start of the interior fit out, so hopefully the build can now move on at a pace.

Until next week.

Mark & Anne-Marie

NB Hobbit