Talk Morgan Forums Community General Photo Gallery Boat build

Another experiment in photo posting, this photo was taken yesterday, if this works I will add earlier pictures of the build and bore you all.

Fantastic, it worked, now I can add earlier pictures if there's any appetite for them out in TM land. I might even do it there's not.😂

In between snow clearing duties this week I've been getting on with some boat building. Very little of which will be seen in the end result!


First up, expansion vessel for the domestic water, also the transmission and troll cables fitted and wire for neutral switch.


And at the control end.


Didn't have full movement at the control for the throttle so extended the lever and then had to fabricate a new cable hold bracket. Full movement achieved now. Engine wiring roughed in as well.
Also had to remove fuel tank to get access to alternator, new higher output version being fitted.


The current tangle of wires at the consumer unit, inverter will also be situated on this board.


And the navigation lights fitted.

Good progress Gordon

What's the nylon reinforced tube for, that looks like it's connected to the propshaft flange ?

Thanks Jon.
The clear reinforced pipe puts some engine cooling water into the vesconite bearing on the sterndrive, It then runs out at the prop.

The consumer unit wiring reminds me of the AC fit on my boat Gordon.

That could come in handy, thanks Richard 👍. Better not let Mrs D see it though, you had a washing machine, got more than enough to try and cram in as it is. Decided on putting in a Wallas combined diesel hob and heating system. Getting really good reports about them, anybody on here used or have any experience with this system?

Were it possible for me to be envious Gordon, your obvious craftsmanship would have me twitching...(-:

Given my limited experience of boat electrics and that lead acid batteries can suffer loss of capacity through not being regularly put through discharge and charge cycles. Apparently deep cycle lead acid batteries became the battery type of choice, given it seems they could withstand lack of use for longer periods of time before suffering a reduction in capacity.

The above line of thought also lead me to wonder if things had moved on in the boating world to the extent that modern battery technology had taken over the deep cycle batteries prominence in the boating world...?

Logically (?) from the above, I then went on to contemplate that a deep cycle battery, or more modern equivalent thereof, may be better suited to classic car usage, than a standard automotive battery and provide longer service....?

Sorry to hi-jack your great thread Gordon, In my defense it is the TM custom.....

Awesome skillset and dedication from start to finish. Having now read through this thread of yours from start to finish I can truly say I enjoyed every word of it.
The links to the canal-du-midi are very useful and make me want to explore those amazing locks.
That's a great looking foredeck, and the duck sits well with the hatch cover.
Take care to go easy on your back Gordon. Having suffered with my mine over the years, I know how it can be the least challenging lifting job that will put it out.
Looking forward to more of the same from your "wee odyssey".
I wish my was as helpful as yours clearly is. I get the wooden spoon treatment much of the time.

Just found this thread. The workmanship is just amazing. To my mind- it’s practically art.

I am lucky enough to keep a Freebody boat on The Thames- there is just something about wooden boats.... even more about being able to actually make one!!

Ohh, I've always admired Peter Freebody boats, the slipper style stern is a thing of beauty...you lucky chap

You can't just drop that in without a picture for us all to drool over JB you lucky boy..

You know just how much boring Tupperware there is down here, we are in need of some class wooden hulls.