54. The next phase
Greyfalcon Boat Building Blog
by Greyfalcon
1y ago
Fettlin’ seems to be the next phase. After a successful launch I took to old engine out and replaced it with the new block. It fitted well as did the carburettor. The wiring harness that I had bought from America needed some interpretation as it was designed for an installation that had a sterndrive. But hey, life is about learning isn’t it? I then took time off for a new knee and six weeks later the Grey Falcon was on display at the Thames Traditional Boat show in the CMBA camp (Classic Motor Boat Association) and getting quite a lot of attention. Sadly GF was only on land and not allowed on ..read more
Visit website
53. The Launch film
Greyfalcon Boat Building Blog
by Greyfalcon
1y ago
This is the same cut as is on Youtube. It covers the first two launches after which I bought a new engine. It is identical to the old 4.3 litre V6 Vortec engine that was discontinued in 2017, but I found a new one sitting on a shelf at Repower Marine. They also supplied the Edelbrock 4 barrel carburettor. I did not trust the original engine I bought, so this was the only option. The Velvet drive gearbox I had already had rebuilt by Lancing Marine and is working excellently. Mercruiser are supplying a new wiring harness and a couple of updated parts. If there is more information you need/want ..read more
Visit website
52. Launch at last!
Greyfalcon Boat Building Blog
by Greyfalcon
1y ago
Tuesday the 15th of September 2020, five years and 6 months from the start of this mammoth project the hull of the Grey Falcon finally touched water. The really helpful guys at the Queenford Lake at Dorchester-on-Thames let me loose on their water-skiing waters on a blissfully warm day in the sunshine. The boat sat perfectly on the fresh water and the engine started second time and apart from needing a tune-up powered the GF perfectly, even with five healthy sized bodies on board. To say I am happy would be an understatement, even with the last bits and pieces to finish like the windscreen and ..read more
Visit website
51. Super shiny
Greyfalcon Boat Building Blog
by Greyfalcon
1y ago
The Grey Falcon has now been painted. I say painted as it is not lacquer but the same paint as the blue on the bottom but with no colour pigment. Michael (of the yard) sprayed it a few days ago and when done it looked weird, but after a few more days of drying it has settled down and looks great. Actually it has now been polished and looks even better but I have not yet taken the pictures. There is now just a short list of things to do and the Grey Falcon will be afloat. I have also moved my woodwork shop next door and the boat to it’s new permanent home, so it has been a busy couple of weeks ..read more
Visit website
50. Birth of the boat
Greyfalcon Boat Building Blog
by Greyfalcon
1y ago
Well, that is what it felt like, watching the Grey Falcon coming out of the workshop. Yes, I know, it was a breach birth (it came out backwards!). What a day though. I moved the machinery around the room to accomodate the boat which was on dolly wheels. George the crane man arrived with his ‘small’ crane and fed it slowly into the courtyard. Not phased by any of this, which was comforting to a nervous boatbuilder, the boat was lifted high, turned around and lowered slowly onto it’s shiny trailer. All this ably accompanied by Shelley, James, Michael and even James’s daughter Holly. All we then ..read more
Visit website
49. Lots has happened.
Greyfalcon Boat Building Blog
by Greyfalcon
1y ago
It’s been a long time since the last post in December, Shelley and I were locked down in New Zealand until June 2020, we were supposed to leave in March! so no building happened until we returned. There were three boat shows that I was looking forward to displaying the Grey Falcon at, but they were all cancelled, so I now have until next year to finish the project at my leisure……. Leisure!!!! Stuff that! Since I have been back the last of the deck planking has been installed, the whole boat has been faired to within an inch of it’s life and two of four, coats of epoxy applied to the whole boat ..read more
Visit website
48. Small update from December
Greyfalcon Boat Building Blog
by Greyfalcon
1y ago
I should have posted this back in December but … I glued the bow planking down and part-sanded it as well as beginning the fairing process for the bow from chine to deck. There is lots more to do but it may not get done for a while courtesy of Coronavirus. The windscreen fittings arrived from Davy’s and look very good. I started to shape up the templates before I left the UK, no, the top edge is not going to be square! The trailer is on order, but I don’t know when tat will arrive, but I don’t need it until the decking is completed. Whilst I have been in New Zealand I have bought a road cover ..read more
Visit website
47. Another brief update.
Greyfalcon Boat Building Blog
by Greyfalcon
1y ago
I have had a chance to start the decking and, whilst it is not glued in place, it does look good enough to post! It will be glued later this week and then I can start on the stern decking. I like the contrast between the cabin floor and the decking. It’s going to need a lot of fairing but when super shiny with resin and lacquer should look stunning. Hope you like it. Not yet glued, but looking great!I like the contrast between the cabin floor and the decking ..read more
Visit website
46. A small update.
Greyfalcon Boat Building Blog
by Greyfalcon
1y ago
I was hoping to have had all but the finishing touches done before this year’s trip to NZ but events have hindered that. I have had to have an operation to remove my cancerous prostate. It has not only stopped the boat building but also delayed our trip down under. However, before medics stopped play, I did manage to get the engine hatch built as well as the small hatch needed to get to the rudder. This means that all that now has to be finished is the stripes of mahogany and maple that hopefully will make the decks look beautiful. I have begun the planning as you can see. After that will be a ..read more
Visit website
45. You should see this!
Greyfalcon Boat Building Blog
by Greyfalcon
1y ago
I just thought I would insert a quick update to show you how the cabin is coming along. Hope you like it. The cushions are the exact same colour as the hull paint, selected on purpose of course, together with the pale grey piping as the ‘plimsole line’ on the hull. Thanks to Sparks Marine Trimmers in landlocked Chilton village. The interior walls are now nearly completed and will be resined within a week (lacquered after that). I have managed to get the throttle/gear lever to work but I’m not very happy about it. They are not very ‘positive’ in their action but I’ll work on that. Sorry about t ..read more
Visit website

Follow Greyfalcon Boat Building Blog on FeedSpot

Continue with Google
Continue with Apple
OR