Recently a new start-up firm in Sleaford called Polar Foil Products has approached the Trust to talk about an exciting new product that is in the development stage. For a number of months they have been developing a type of water-ski that works at low speeds, it is unusual in that it combines some old technologies in a way that has not been previously considered. A combination of laminar flow and the boundary layer effect have been used to design an aquatic aerofoil similar to that used on ultra-light aircraft. A network of small tubes underneath the ski then make use of the Bernoulli Effect to produce extra slow speed lift.
Having seen the Trust’s new boat, Benjamin Handley, Polar Foil Products approached the Trust to see if it would be possible to use the boat for some trials. After some discussion with the Trust, it was agreed that the trails would take place next Tuesday morning, April 1st. If the trials are successful then it might be possible for the public to ‘have a go’. However, this could only take place until 12.00 when all activity will have to cease.
Work on the fit out of the boat is going well with quite a lot of the wood lining the walls and ceiling in place. Unfortunately, some of the issues relating to the clearance of excess silt from the river are proving to be more complex and problematic than anticipated. It now looks as if this may well have an impact on the timing of the planned works and, consequently, on the date at which the boat can start operating.
Sleaford Navigation Trust is working to address the areas of concern in order to move the project forward as soon as possible. In the meantime, volunteers, supporters and would-be passengers should be aware that the proposed starting date for operation of Easter 2025 is now no longer certain.
There have been some tricky cutting jobs recently that have taken a while to sort out. Obviously you have to be very careful doing this or you can waste a sheet of plywood and at pushing £50 it does clarify the mind. The old adage measure twice and cut once didn’t apply, it’s more like measure multiple times and cut once! We now have to cut the hole for the doorway before fixing it in place.
Today we moved the Handley Cup from NKDC’s offices to its new temporary home in the Sleaford Museum. Many thanks to NKDC and Mark Bamford and Jacqui Cleaver at Sleaford Museum.
More progress on the trip boat last week, starting to get the lining on with new volunteer Jerry and Steve Hayes. It took a bit of working out to decide on the best way to cut the wood but we got there eventually.
Big day today, thanks to Nick Smith Signs, Benjamin Handley no longer looks anonymous but has his name on the side of the boat. On one side only at the moment until we have sufficient water under the boat to be able to do this without the embarrassment of being stuck halfway round. A cracking job, thanks Nick.
First stage of the fit out, get the floor in then you can move around the inside of the boat more easily and safely. Then have a bit of a tidy up of the mess. Many thanks to Rob and Neil for their efforts.
Having recovered from launching Benjamin Handley into the water here are some videos and pictures from the day. On the face of it there doesn’t appear to have been much going on however, there has been an awful lot of measuring up and ordering of materials for the fitting out. However, work starts this Saturday morning when we will be putting a floor in the boat so that it will be much easier to move around when we start lining out the sides and the roof of the cabin. There’s a long way to go yet but it’s a start. If you’re passing on Saturday 14th September in the morning then come and have a look at what’s going on.
We have just got word that Benjamin Handley is now fully painted and the windows are fitted. In short, she is ready for the water and internal fit-out. When that is happening has still to be decided on, it will mainly depend on arranging the transport to get the boat over to Sleaford. Watch this space for further news. Eventually, there will be an official naming ceremony but, I promise, there will be no bottles of fizzy stuff broken on the side of the hull. We wouldn’t want to damage the paintwork and, in any case, it’s a total waste of drink. We’ll toast the boat’s health instead!
Another major milestone on the trip boat Benjamin Handley this week as the shell transitioned from bare metal to primer and then to top coat in it’s green colour. Still a certain amount of work to do before she goes in the water which, hopefully, will be early August.
