Mrs fix-it restores her boat

MTUNZINI, quinquagenarian (50 to 59 years), Caroline Lewis, has no problem getting her hands dirty whether it be in the garden, the garage or at the water’s edge.

Labeled a tomboy growing up, Caroline spent many happy hours at her dad’s side watching and learning as he worked his way around the house.

‘I was my dad’s apprentice. I would hand him the right sized spanners, get him tools and soak it all in. At the age of 12, I was throwing bricks up a nine-foot wall to my dad who was building something on the roof.’

After years of working by her father’s side, Caroline can turn her hand to anything and it is due to this fact that she decided her next big project would be restoring the family boat.

‘I was 19 when my Dad first got the boat and every weekend would be spent on the water. Fishing was the main priority, but we managed to get some food and liquid in our stomachs too,’ laughed Caroline.

When Caroline’s father moved to Eskom the boat was sold to her uncle, ‘Little Uncle David’, but was still used, at least once a year, when the extended family would meet for a braai at Albert Falls.

Restoration

After her uncle died five years ago, the boat remained on its trailer, not seeing water for years.

‘It was a sorry sight, the poor thing looked depressed just sitting there. I always had a plan for it, but as the years flew by, with life been as busy as it always is, the poor boat got a bit neglected,’ explained Caroline.

After a few phone calls and a bit of planning she was finally managed to get the boat towed to Mtunzini.

After a close inspection, the boat was deemed repairable and a to-do-list was created.

‘The boat needed quite a lot of TLC but I have seen worse projects.

‘Anything that sits for that long and is not used, whether it be a car, bike or boat, is going to experience some wear and tear.’

The to-do-list entailed fixing the struts, replacing the transom, fixing and replacing certain areas of fibre-glass, replacing the throttle, as well as all the piping and electrical wiring.

The engine was also serviced and a good few hours was spent tinkering with the jets on the carburettor.

The boat was repainted the same blue and white and was renamed Tiny ‘d’ in memory of Carolines’ father and her uncle. Now with the boat in prime condition, Caroline and her husband can be seen gracing the waters on the uMlalazi Lagoon.