Improvements

October saw Quo lifted out & blacked at Debdale. At the suggestion of Gail, who was doing the blacking, Gordon welded on an extension to the rudder, forward of the pivot.
The difference to the handling is remarkable, she will now turn 360 at the foot of Foxton Locks without any need to reverse.
When reversing back into our mooring, she will now actually steer!

The above picture shows the rudder before the extra piece was welded on at the front.

While she was out, I filed some rough edges off the prop. and gave it a quick polish to try and cure the resonant "singing" around 1000 revs - to no avail as it happens, but it looks good.

Debdale gave us a quote of £750 to fit Quo with a hospital silencer, which will completely silence the exhaust .... hmmmm ... decisions, decisions.

Unfortunately, last saturday I tried to blow up the Alde boiler - well the pilot light is giving problems and it went off with a big bang whilst I was laying on the floor in front of it looking through the inspection window! Liz was half-way out of the boat by the "A" of bang.
Steve will have to wave spanners at it in the near future, can't live without the central heating.

On the good side though I had a quick go at the paintwork on the sides with Farecla, and it brought the colour back, and even a little shine. I'll have to get a powered polisher to do the job properly now, especially now her blacking is shiny & new.