What Lyes Below

Some years ago when we got the Spideog I decided that the only thing we were going to change was the lino on the floor. As I began lifting the lino it became apparent that it was in fact the lino that was holding the sub-floor together and as I removed the lino the floor came with it. And as the floor was removed so too was everything on it! 

 For the Amo renovation the first step is to create a blank canvas for the refit. The Amo got its original fit-out 23 years ago and as I suspected, the sub-floor was rotted away throughout half the barge. I also wanted to get down to the steel base-plate. Barges rust from the inside out and it was necessary to treat the rust below the sub-floor. 

 With the old sub-floor removed and the steel base-plate exposed I used Owatrol Oil to treat the rust. Overall the rust wasn't too bad, mostly dry surface rust that wouldn't be a cause for concern. But the area from about mid ship back had sections of damp progressive rust that needed to be dealt with. 

 Owatrol only works on dry rust so the first step was to get it dry. I used a wet vac to get out as much moisture as possible, then put down layers of Lidl's finest kitchen towel to absorb some more, and finally I used a small blow heater aimed at the worst sections to get it completely dry. Owatrol is a penetrating oil that keeps moving down through rust until it reaches good steel. It stops the rust from progressing, forming a water proof barrier and turns the rust into a hard black colored compound.
  

 The new sub-floor was fixed in place on pressure treated batons. For the sub-floor I used OSB particle board which is ideal for where water resistant material is required. The walls below the gunnel line were re-clad in Mahogany Veneered ply-wood.

 The Amo has now been gutted. The old interior is gone and it is ready for its new fit-out.
The sub-floor is in, walls are re-clad with 12 volt and 220 volt wiring in place. Plumbing pipes are in and the work to create a barge that can carry up to 8 people on day charter or sleep up to 6 people for overnight accommodation on www.bargetrip.ie is about to begin!