Measham Outfitting – 21st. November – Putting the ballast into the bottom of the shell
Pictures of the inside of the hull after the “bottom” and the strengthening cross members had been “waxoyled” prior to placing the “ballast”.
Note: If you are thinking of ballasting a boat with bricks in a similar manner they MUST be engineering quality bricks.
Often referred to as “blues”, but you will see that they can be red(ish).
Engineering bricks will not absorb water should any water get into the bottom of the boat at any time.
“Common” or facing bricks are very porous and should you use that type of brick if they did get wet it would be a long time before they dried out, in the situation that you are putting them.
Facing bricks or “commons” are a lot less strong than engineering bricks and may possibly “break down” over time.
If you are interested, information on the fabrication of a steel narrowboat shell can be found on the website of,
Reeves Boatbuilders of Napton,
the company that provided the “bare” hull of Measham.
Lining the bottom of the boat with fairly substantial bituminous roofing felt before placing the bricks.
Cutting the felt to fit each individual section.
Bricks being handed to inside the boat for placing.
Bricks being received inside the boat.
Bricks being placed, tightly, so that they will not move about.
The job completed.
Although the bricks are higher than the steel cross members, at this time, you have to be aware that a wooden batten will be fixed to the steel to above the height of the bricks.
The wooden floor sections will be fixed to the wooden battens.
It is likely that some bricks may be removed towards the end of the fitting out to “trim” the boat to allow for the weight added as fixtures and fittings. Inspection hatches installed as the floor is laid will allow for this to happen.
Close up showing brick placement.