{"id":16017,"date":"2023-09-20T00:12:47","date_gmt":"2023-09-19T22:12:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sexyloops.com\/blog\/?p=16017"},"modified":"2023-09-20T03:38:26","modified_gmt":"2023-09-20T01:38:26","slug":"restoring-the-boat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sexyloops.com\/blog\/2023\/09\/20\/restoring-the-boat\/","title":{"rendered":"Restoring the Boat!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I find it easy to start on a project if its small. Large projects can be a little daunting. Because of this I trick myself into large projects by doing a small part, convincing myself that that’s all I’ll do. Hence, I frequently don’t have ‘before shots’. By the time I think to take a few pics I’m already well advanced with the project so that ship has sailed. This is what happened with the boat recently. Initially it was just a little repair, which lead to repainting the repair. Then I thought I should repaint the cabin. Before I knew it I had many components taken off to allow for easy surface preparation and painting. Then I ordered non-skid paint for all the traffic areas – this had never been on the boat before. The whole job took me 2 weeks. It’s amazing how boat restorations absorb time. I almost did inside the cabin too but I managed to curb my enthusiasm just enough to not. It can wait. I did the roof inside alright because it needed it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She always had a hatch on the cabin but it was damaged and didn’t stay on. I fixed that and also built a removable door so that I can close off the cabin for sleeping in or keeping gear dry in bad weather. I’ve been threatening sleeping in it for ages but still haven’t. No excuse now! She still doesn’t have a name by the way…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ve had the boat for 3 years and she’s had a lot of use. She’s been stored outside all that time. Mostly under a tarp but often not. Because of this she was in need of a tidy up, some repairs and a paint job. It’s done now! From now on she’ll have a roof over her head. Next up for restoration is Daltona<\/a>. She will ride again (again).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was good to get out guiding recently. Dan and I went to Mackenzie Country to fish the lakes. Late August. The fish were there in good numbers in 3 of the 4 places we went. They were not easy. Very spooky but not impossible. To me, this is perfect. Without some challenge it’s not that interesting. Fast, accurate shots made all the difference – especially when keeping the loop travelling low and fast over the water. Big open loops spook a lot of fish in calm water. I often side cast to ensure the loop stays low. Speed is such an underrated skill. It’s something a fella can practice. How fast can you get the fly off the hitch and in front of a cruising fish? This and other aspects of speed and accuracy were some of the things we worked on. We had some really good fishing where it all came together. Dan landed some really solid, fat trout up to 7lbs which is a top end fish on the Mackenzie lakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also did a little uneventful exploring on the Clutha locally. Nothing to report from it. I had a few outings to some local river mouths – they were decent. Last but not least, Wesley and I (mostly Wesley) changed the bearings on the boat trailer. It was great to learn this skill from someone who knows what they’re doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That’s me up to date again! The season kicks off in a little over a week. Needless to say I’m looking forward to it. There’s a few gaps, not many but feel free to get in touch with any questions about availability. You can contact me ronan@sexyloops.com<\/em><\/strong> or visit my website<\/a>. You can check out my Fulling Mill fly patterns here<\/a>. Some of these have been tweaked and improved for 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tight Lines and a big Happy Birthday to Sexyloops! 25 today! Ronan..<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
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Boat restoration… Here’s Wesley sanding.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Gluing some split marine ply.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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I had to make this piece to match the rest.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Clearly enjoyable work!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Tacked and glued. (That’s Daltona on the right – awaiting her restoration!)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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remove the pins to shape the new capping piece.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A block plane is so useful.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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With much of the painting complete it was time for the non-skid paint. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Making a new removable door for the cabin.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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They shine up well!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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I used Kiwigrip non-skid paint – very happy with this product.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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So much tidier now.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Transom looking good. It was never painted before.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Light grey with a textured finish for grip.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Inside the cabin I only did what was necessary – the roof and some touch-ups.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Hand rails were removed and re-varnished.
Non-skid paint on top of the cabin too.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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I made a Rimu hatch in the floor here.
Previously it was left open.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Handrail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Cabin open..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Cabin closed. She’s now ready to sleep in.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Should keep the weather out!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Kept secure by sitting a groove at the bottom and two bolts on top.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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3 bungees to secure the top hatch.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Simple and effective.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The table \/ raised casting platform.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Popped out for a quick session on the local..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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And here she is..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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..after some much needed TLC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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I’m very happy with the result…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Guy and I took her out for a day on Dunstan. Plenty fish.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Fishy!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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7 nice shots from Dan Root on a recent trip to Mackenzie Country.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Cool release shot!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Not a bad backdrop..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The jump shot!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Back he goes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Walking to the river mouth..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Thanks for these, Dan!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Day 1 in Mackenzie Country. Dan releases one.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Day 2.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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An amazing day.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The first of 3 super fish for Dan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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It’s enigma makes this lake one of my favourites.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Into a good brown sighted foraging around the rocks by the shore.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Almost ready.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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5 powerful pounds.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Endangered black stilts.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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An awesome place to spend a day.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Shoulders! 7lbs<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Back he goes… A top end fish from a Mackenzie district lake.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A great day.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Day 3. Option 1 was quiet..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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But option 2 brought great action!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Challenging in the glass calm but we had great fishing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A big fire south of Cromwell. I was passing as
the sun shone blood red through the smoke.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Almost home after 3 great days.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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2 fish on station.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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I got one. Lovely to have some quite productive, year round river fishing near by.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Exploring the Clutha with Wesley..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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It really wasn’t fishy at all..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Always good to get out for a look around though.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Clyde dam.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Refill!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The trailer failed the warrant on bearings..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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With Wesleys knowledge, we got it done.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Great to learn how to do this.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I find it easy to start on a project if its small. Large projects can be a little daunting. Because of this I trick myself into large projects by doing a small part, convincing myself that that’s all I’ll do. Hence, I frequently don’t have ‘before shots’. By the time I think to take a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[308,908,222,1364,1199,1256,1271,1363,1362,862,936],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sexyloops.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16017"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sexyloops.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sexyloops.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sexyloops.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sexyloops.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16017"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.sexyloops.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16017\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16112,"href":"https:\/\/www.sexyloops.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16017\/revisions\/16112"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sexyloops.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16017"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sexyloops.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16017"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sexyloops.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16017"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}