21.10.11. A problem struck yesterday, the digger wouldn't start, the starter motor had failed and needed replacement, but the place we got it from, it hadn't been in the digger long before the failure, wasn't interested in helping, so reinforcements had to be brought up and hopefully will prevail by tomorrow.
We had decided that we'd test the slipway by pulling out, or trying to pull out, a large boat that couldn't be pulled out successfully before. If it could be done, the slipway itself would be proved a successful design and execution.
The failure of the digger's starter motor put us in a tight spot, as we couldn't get the barge out of the slipway without raising its heavy ramps with the digger. But with some imagination and the use of some kit that a former Commodore had "acquired", the job was done.
The slipway is now clear for the test, which is scheduled for Sunday morning, the 23rd.
Additionally, of course, we got on with yesterday's work of cutting and welding the plates that will connect the track with the piles and frames.