Thread: The Ultimate FC

Its official....the New south Wales Government now officially recognises my Stalwart as being a powered motor vessel.
It will cost me $135 dollars a year for this recognition and to be able to use NSW water ways.
The Process was interesting but straight forward as I had done my home work before hand.
If you read the first page on this thread you know what I am going on about.
Watching people read the paper work......length 6.2 mtr,.... weight 10 tonnes..., hull steel....motor Rolls Royce, draft 2 mtrs....... was worth the effort.
The local boating place usually charge extra if you want them to go to site and do the Hull ID plate..........they were happy to skip the extra charge just to get to see the Stalwart and check it out.
Just got to get some more safety gear and rego number letter stickers and all is done on the legal side of things..
The Stalwart is legal to carry Seven people on roads and in the water.
The interesting thing is in all of this the vessel/stalwart doesn't need to be able to float........and currently cannot in its current state of repair.
Alvis Stalwart hull ID by john smith, on Flickr
DSCN0882 by john smith, on Flickr

So Ron - now you gotta wear your life vest whenever you go for a drive on the road?

All jokes aside
I have ordered Three inflatable life jackets , one each for each seat in the cabin as it would be difficult to fit though the hatches, drive and get in and out of the big green machine with standard life jackets.
Four standard life jackets are for use in the rear cargo area.
Interesting thing is one of the forms I filled in asked for the vessels name.
I decided on Waterhorse........so the stalwart officially on government paper work has a name........but just to us ...its hippo as a stalwart loves to play in the mud.
Humble boat owner
Ron

The tool box and other storage space is small on the stalwart and most of the room is taken up in the cabin.
What do you think.........hang the anchor on the rear tail gate????????? give the motorist caught behind the big slow moving lump something to wonder about ???
stalwart anchor by john smith, on Flickr

I am still keen to come out when you take it out.

Just a quick up date.
Its been to hot......like 35 degrees C with high humidity or when the sun is not out its been pouring rain and windy stopping any work in the Stalwart out side wise.
In desperation to get something done I had a friend help me lift off the RHS side gate for paint stripping and repair which could be done in the shade.
The door was full of water between its two skins due to punctures in the outer skin.
The alloy drain plugs were corroded in place, so they were drilled out and 1/8 BSP brass items fitted.
The door is was slow process to needle gun off the paint as I couldnt use the needle gun at full power as the alloy side door has skin only 1mm thick.
A cheap recirculating grit sand blaster was used where possible to finish off in places.
I now have my TIG welder up and running and had to put my self though a refresher practice cession on alloy TIG welding on 1mm thick material on a new strange machine and these days with reading glasses on .

The old rubber water seal was removed and retaining strips.( badly corroded)
A complete new set of stainless steel strips made to suit and ready to fit.
Painting is on first coat etch primer and while the etch primer is still drying a second coat of red oxide is sprayed on.

The stalwart was in danger of being crushed or burnt recently.
The yard at work has Three sets of very high voltage power transmission lines running over it.
The Stalwart is parked under a set with wooden posts.
One of the poles decided to ark out and catch alight and burn almost though.
The fire brigade would not let me into work to move the Stalwart as it was too dangerous.
The wind was starting spot fires everywhere from the burning post......and the Stalwart had about 300 litres of petrol on board.
Luckily the post didn't fall down and crush the Stalwart ( it was very close) or catch on fire.

RHS Stalwart side gate before repairs by john smith, on Flickr

RHS Stalwart side gate brass replacement test port plug by john smith, on Flickr

RHS stalwart side gate water and damage / hole by john smith, on Flickr

RHS Stalwart side gate cracked out er frame by john smith, on Flickr

RHS Stalwart side gate draining water by john smith, on Flickr

Stalwart RH side gate by john smith, on Flickr

Stalwart cargo side door. by john smith, on Flickr

Stalwart cargo side door by john smith, on Flickr

Stalwart side door by john smith, on Flickr