Marsaskala, MALTA

8th February 2003

Dear Barry,

As promised in my recent e-mail to you, I have gone through loads of pictures and pleasant memories and here, at last, are some pictures showing my Noyo Trawler "Freya" being built, launched and used.

I fancied the Noyo way back in 1987 when I had got a copy of your Boat Design Catalogue. What struck me most was the fact that it is a sturdy and very economical boat. These two factors made me choose this particular design and I can confirm that both statements are correct. On quite a few occasions these past 9 years I have gone out in force 6 waves with "Freya", seeing less seaworthy boats stay in harbour.

My father and I started building the boat in September 1990 and by March 1991 the hull was ready up to the lower sheer clamp. Then we turned it to its proper side. The turning was done manually. I put used tyres on the ground and turned the boat's shipside on them. Then two planks against the wall and when the deadwood hit the planks, the boat started sliding deadwood downwards and upper sheer upwards, (Maybe it is possible to see this in the picture).

Then came the laborious work on the interior, which took us another two and a half years to finish. Inside there is a roomy wheelhouse, a toilet & sink, a kitchenette as well as 4 berths and a spacious cockpit. I also managed to fit the boat with a steadying sail, which I have found very useful.

All the work, including the fitting of the Perkins A236 engine, (which I had altered for marine use), was done by myself. I had bought one of your books called "Inboard Motor Installations", which was of tremendous help to me.

I did all the metalwork myself, including windows made of aluminium with laminated glass for safety; stainless steel hollow rudder, stainless steel fuel tanks plus a stainless anchor roller.

Well, the boat performs beautifully and it is a real pleasure to go out when the sea is a bit choppy. You can really feel that you are on board a sturdy and seaworthy boat, and this gives me great peace of mind when at sea.

Needless to say, "Freya" is the pastime of the whole family, a pleasure we would not have known if it was not for Glen-L!

Last but not least the list of pictures. Click on the numbers:

1.    The first stage of construction
2.    All chines and battens put in place
3.    The first stage of the planking - the first layer
4.    First layer of the diagonal planking of the underwater section
5.    Planking ready and painted up to the lower chine
6.    Hull being turned in order to start superstructure. It took from September '90 to March '91 to reach this stage.
7.    Boat completely turned. Planking of lower to upper chine started.
8.    Boat turned to sit on its hull. Upper chine also planked.
9.    Construction of the lower cabin, which is combined with the lantern type wheelhouse.
10.   Lower cabin, deck and wheelhouse constructed.
11.   Boat ready with rubbing fenders made of varnished mahogany.
12.   Boat about to be launched.
13.   Still waiting for the crane!
14.   Boat afloat. Enjoying the pleasure of being on a boat that has as much character as my crew!
15.   A close-up of the boat and one of my best crewmembers, i.e. my wife.
16.   "Freya" ready for the tow, to be taken to her rightful place, the glorious sea. In the background my garage, where she was built.
17.   "Freya" moored at one of our ports, during one of her many cruises. The 12-foot mast for the steadying sail can be clearly seen in this picture. In the middle of the mast there is a thing that looks like "Mickey Mouse ears", that's the solar charger and afore and aft there are spotlights.

Yours sincerely,
Rennie Deiceppo

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