July 6, 2015 - First Encounter - Picturesque

A beautiful crisp sunny winter day in the
Huon Valley

Today we had a crisp beautiful sunny day. driving down the Huon Valley, watching the reflection of the blue sky in the waters, the play of clouds and looking moored up boats I was wondering how the Viking would look like. I had seen a few pictures of the boat from when she on the slip last time. In those pictures she already had a few dents and a few rotten boards.
In my head on the other hand is this vision of the restored Viking, restored to a majestic sailing boat, rigged up as a cutter with a bowsprit like when she was launched in 1893.

At Port Huon I met the current owners. using the gorgeous weather we soon let the dingy into the water and Adrian in good fishermans tradition was rowing standing.
I knew there would be a lot of work to be done to get her into the desired shape and to preserve this boat for the next generations to come.
For almost a week I was waiting for this day. My first encounter with the Viking.
Before talking about my first encounter, I do want to express my gratitude and appreciation to all the people who have supported so far my endeavor to safe the Viking from the teeth of a chain saw and expressed support for restoring this sleeping to its majestic appearance.
I especially want to express gratitude to the current owners under who's care the Viking had served well catching crayfish all around Tasmania and who are passing this heritage boat on to the next generation.
Thank you Betty and Adrian
Before stepping on the boat we looped around to get a good look at her from all angles.
Ok I thought a few more boards than I had expected.
Stepping on board of the Viking I knew that I will have to take on this challenge. Overall I do have to say I am actually glad that the Viking needs a full renovation. Its the simplest, easiest and most straight forward.
I have done a few house renovation projects, you start at one corner thinking about just having to this little bit, and then you uncover this and that and before you know it, you have opened up a big can of worms.
Here now there are no worm, which is good, however it is also very clear that the Viking needs to be gutted first and built up fresh from the grounds up. - No Tinkering around - very straight forward.

My vision of the majesty she is has vanished, my desire to restore this beauty has gotten stronger.

Looking around the Viking a discovered a couple of treasures, a number of items which likely will end up on a display in a museum, and other items which will decorate the restored beauty and whisper from old adventures, just look at the amazing brass steering wheel.

Reflections

The  INSIDE
After the visit on board we retreated with a shower front passing through to the Port Huon Trading Post to chat about old adventures, the greatness of life and details of the transfer. On the way back I stopped in at the Wooden Boat Centre in Franklin. The friendliness and open support I am receiving is almost overwhelming and coming back home I can once more only express my absolute gratitude to everyone who has supported me so far on this road.

More to come soon