40 foot Shantyboat Progress in 2015

by Harry
(Adelaide)

Update January 2015 February 2015 March 2015 April 2015 May 2015 June 2015

Update August 2015 September 2015 October 2015 November 2015 December 2015 Progress in 2016 Back to First Stages

Update January 2015



Update February 2015



Update March 2015


Small shantyboat items.

The bedside drawer is completed , ready to install.

Making the numerous small items for the Shantyboat takes up quite some time.

Update April 2015
The bedside drawer is completed , ready to install.



Progress is slow , but I have managed to do some work fitting out the rear cabin space.

Another bed base is assembled and painted , and has been fitted in place.

Shelving to house some audio visual equipment has been made , and some wall cladding fitted ...

Two small glazed cabinets are being assembled ready to fit in place.

Its cold here, painting out the rear cabin of the shantyboat is slow work.

Update May 2015
Shantyboat progress, rear cabin.

Update June 2015
This is the last of the interior shelving to be fitted to the cabin space.

It's supposed to somewhat resemble the look of the old style luggage racks that was often seen on trains and tram cars in years gone by.





Update August 2015
Two month break is over , now it`s onto Waste water tanks.

I had a two month break, lots of frost and ice this year, too cold to work outside.

things are warming up (slowly), so its onto waste water tanks ..........

Capacity is 1100 litres ( 290 US Gallons )



Update September 2015
Bolting up the steel channel and more shantyboat plumbing.

Work on the holding tanks for the shantyboat continues....

Working on the Tank Straps.

The straps to suspend the waste water tanks for the Shantyboat are now complete.

As this is a fresh water boat , and I could not get galv. flat bar without a lengthy wait,
I used 2x 1/8 Inch ( 50 x 3.5 mm ) mild steel.

The 1/8 inch thick flat bar was easy to cold form around a simple wooden former , and any minor kinks were lightly tapped out using a ball - pein hammer.

Three coats of Kill Rust primer and two top coats of oil based gloss paint complete the finish.



Update October 2015




Update November 2015



I have installed the glazing for the Shantyboat.

The photo shows seven panes fitted along the side of the cabin.

Because of it`s optical clarity , cast acrylic Plexiglass is said to be virtually " invisible " to UV rays .

I used the original german made Plexiglas , it comes with a 30 year non - yellowing guarantee .

Care will be required when cleaning these to prevent scratching.

Plexiglas will represent a 50% weight saving over float glass and will be more flexible .

If the pontoons are pushed onto an uneven bank flex could be an issue.

Plexiglas has 10 X the impact resistance of float glass at 4.5 mm thickness.

Glazing is set into the rebates with butyl mastic , a soft sealant that skins over and is paintable.

It is used for sealing things on caravans and mobile homes.


Update December 2015

Experimental solar hot water pre-Heater



Building an experimental solar hot water pre-heater for the boat, 100ltrs.

12 Volt solar powered circulating pump warms the water in the tubes and feeds the pre-heated water to the small hot water tank.