OBERON...
After several years without his own boat, Simon Wain, has decided its time to build himself a narrowboat. The plans are to build a Grand Union, Small Northwich type narrowboat of 45ft in length. All the measurements are coming off original motor boats or from original Yarwood plans to ensure the replica is 'spot on'.
The build started in October 2009 and is taking place in the car park of Brinklow Boat Services with Simon undertaking work on it at weekends. This page will help show the construction of Oberon and keep you up to date with the progress.
Work begins with laying down the base plate in early October.
Positioning and securing the top bends
Fabricating the front cants
The front plates being pulled round
The cants have now been ground off and painted up, all the front knees are now welded into position and the fore end plates are welded up to the stem post
Work is now almost complete on the bow of Oberon. The guards are welded in position and the cants finished. The deck lid and fittings are now being worked on by Simon and should be fitted by next weekend.
The photos above show the chequer plate deck lid having been made and fixed in position.