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.
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!
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