Leak in here...

Aha! We've found the leak! PK had been taking water below the waterline for some time, but we weren't sure just where. With the top side planking done, Paul and Dan are working on the bottom and they've found hidden rot under the galley at the turn of the bilge amidships. The bad planks have been pulled out, and they've found sound timber. Hopefully now, it will just be down to re-fitting new planks. And then refastening the complete bottom planking.

Topsides planking completed

The second side top sides planking is all done now. Next will be a couple of short planks on the underwater hull, and then it'll be fairing the planking, driving in the caulking and then paying the seams with redlead putty.

How we're funding the repairs

All the current work on PK has only been made possible through the generosity of FACT friends and supporters giving specifically for her restoration. So far, we've received:

£100 (friend)
£1,000 (Pleshey Mission Trust)
£51 (friend)
£25 (friend)
£23,000 (friend)
£314 (friend)

These amounts will allow us to complete essential repairs to the hull and decks to get PK back in service for the main part of the sailing season. However, some parts of the project are not fully funded, in particular the top sides painting for which a further £2,000 will be required. We welcome gifts via fund-raising events, from trusts and from corporate donors.

Work on a sunny day

I'm sure the guys appreciate a sign of spring. Thanks, David H, for some sunny snaps. See our Plain Kate album for more.

Ship Right

Paul and Dan are taking PK's hull back to bare wood and replacing loads of planks. Soon she should be re-caulked, sanded, painted and back in the water. We are hoping to have her back sometime after Easter. [Thanks to Yvonne who's even remembering us while in NZ: she's just sent the pics below which she she took recently before departing.]