Randy is particularly proud of the outer set of curved stairs leading up to the top deck. He built these stairs by hand (which is the first set of metal “curved” stairs he has created). Without the handrail installed at the time, Judi was apprehensive and wobbly ascended the stairs. She was very glad to reach the top and even happier descending the interior stairs which had walls on either side! Apparently the inspector stops by frequently, as there are strict regulations for the heights, widths, curves, etc. that Randy must be adhered to. For example, the handrails are 42” tall, although, as a partial deck they only need to be 36”, this being what the regulations require, according to the Ministry of Transportation. There are other regulations, such as 2000 degree fire insulation. Randy has made sure that everything meets or exceeds what is required. He is a perfectionist this way! He is a perfectionist in other ways. The original wheel is being refinished and repaired. This makes for authentic travels while Randy captains. Randy created a shear, long sweeping curved handrail that tappers along the way. The wheelhouse, when I first saw it last year, was on Randy’s dock. He fabricated it all himself. It is now has installed on the top deck! He has only had to use a crane once for the entire project. This was to put the heavy tanks below decks. Again, Randy is quite proud by the “manpower” or "lack of manpower" that the project has taken. He had all the steel for the boat brought in to his property. This was a mammoth undertaking! The initial load was 12 tons of steel at $1,000 per ton. There have been 5 to 6 more tons brought in since! Floating docks were maneuvered in the water, around the sides of the boat, to do much of the work and welding. Randy referred to these projects as “old school in a modern way”.
(To be continued in Part Four)
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