Tomorrow we launch

Today is the day before the first part of the boat is being launched into the Regent's Canal.

If you would like to come along to watch or help, it will be happening on the morning of 22nd July somewhere on the stretch of the canal between Camden and London Zoo. Email me on 100tigersproject@gmail.com to coordinate.

The plan is to drive with 3 barrels and a 2.7m x 1m piece of decking on the roof down to the canal.

On the canal-side, I will attach the barrels to the underside of the decking using stainless steel strap secured with 40mm galvanised decking screws and m4 washers. 2 straps per barrel.

The underside of the decking (apart from the barrel spaces) will have plywood secured for insulation and to act as a shield for water. Bitumen to seal gaps. Pre-cut 100mm insulation will be fitted into the spaces in the decking. Expanding foam moulded to top of barrels and 50mm insulation on top of barrels. Wood on top.

The first bit of decking will then be lowered into the water and tied to a bollard. That is now my boat.

I will return to my storage unit, leaving the boat with whomever ends up helping me tomorrow and fetch the next piece of decking and 3 barrels, repeating the same process.

With the second deck and barrels lowered into the canal I will have two boats. These will be held together on the water (human hands) while x4 110mm carriage bolts secure them together. Now I will have a boat that measures approximately 3 x 2 metres.

The final piece of decking will be brought and the same process repeated. I should also bring the chemical toilet - TBC how that is going to work.

The boat by the end of play tomorrow will be 3m x 3m. Secured to the canal-side with a rope near a friend of mine who lives on the canal.

If there is time, I will bring my 3 horse-power electric trolling motor and go for a spin with beers. That will be fun. I've never driven a boat before.