The built a new wheel house, modified other parts of the boat, glass fibred to seal every thing in and fitted a gunwale all around the boat.  The gunwales stiffen, strengthen and protect the edges of the hull and help to hold the shape of the boat under all foreseeable  uses and abuses.  They are strong enough to rigidly mount  the fishing rod supports and other fittings.  The out side of the gunwale protects the edge of hull and deflects water from entering the boat when waves splash against the sides.  They also make the boat look nice, tidy and finished.

A marine electrician was employed to install all the electrical and electronic equipment. The Belle has good quality navigation and fish finding equipment, and safety equipment for up to 6 people on board.

Following the completion of the deck work, a good coating of anti-fouling was applied to the outside  of the hull that would be under water and an appropriate amount of ballast was fitted to give stability and then sealed in.

On completion of the conversion work a craft inspection survey was carried out by Ben Sutcliffe a qualified marine engineer.  His report stated:

'The lifeboat was clearly built to a high specification with heavy hull lamination and  foam filled buoyancy tanks… Deck mouldings are laminated in white GRP gel coat and resin with suitable non slip work areas.  The working areas of the deck are suitably supported...The rubbing strake is of heavy duty dense rubber ‘D’ section.  It is in good order and secure. The rubber is fitted to cover the flange joint of the deck to hull moulding; this is in good order and well secured...The hull is fit for purpose… The wheelhouse is finished to a high standard of fit out and finished in a white flow coat...The cockpit area is well designed...The engine has been professionally maintained by the previous owner...The craft’s wiring has been completely rewired, the electrics are to a good standard...The craft has a satisfactory fit out of new safety equipment including, a new inshore flare pack 6 buoyancy aids, first aid kit and fire extinguisher… In conclusion I consider the boat to be in very good order'.

When all the out of water work had been done it was time for the Mumbles Belle to be put to the test on the water.  Once on the water the marine engineer came back to carry out a heal, stability and float test.

Ben Sutcliffe's report stated 'I can confirm that I carried out a heal test as laid out by the code of practice for an open boat.  The test was carried out with persons over 75kg each rather than using sand bags.  From the beam calculations taken with 6 persons on board moved to the extreme gunwale positions the craft did not exceed the maximum heal permitted of 7 degrees7'.

 

Mumbles Belle at at her Marina berth during sea trials

View of the off-set wheelhouse and angler fishing positions

 

 

 

 

At berth (P), sea trials completed now ready to take members fishing

 

 

The superb Lister engine in very good condition

 

 

All done now we can go fishing

 

 

 

 

Skipper Vic Lilygreen Gone fishing

 

 

 

 

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