Tomick, as my hands are really bad at the moment,I'm going to find it too awkward to measure and file out the mast holes fo the top deck. So I'm looking at trying something a bit different for the top deck planking, and just wanted to know if you felt it feasible, I know it's not as per the book, but just a general comment on the feasibility would be great.

I'm looking at making up 3x 5 plank widths, stuck to small pieces of 5x 1.5 timber, placed at intervals which fit between current deck supports. Then my daughter is going to take them to school to drill the mast holes in the centres.These 5 plank widths would be all overlength, so that final positioning can be acomplished, if you can understand what I mean here, do you think it feasible?

The 3x5 plank bits are
1. from the front to the top of the grating, as per your pencil mark.
2. from the bitts to deck support 22
3. from deck support 23 to the rear

I have gone for 5 plank widths as this gives the opening behind the centre mast.
Like I say it's not by the book, but do you think it would work?

Thanks Tomick, I know it's a difficult position for you when we ask for help outside the official stance, I know that the drilling needs to be precise, thats why I'm giving it to my daughter to do at school, as she can get the position just right with the machines at school. It's also why I am planning oversize lengths, as then I can get the fore and aft position just right, on all 3 pieces. It may seem strange to ask a young girl to do the drilling, but she has marvellous skills with woodwork, and is on her way to an GCSE A*. I know that if I have more arthritic problems in the future, she can do some work on Victory, and it will be better than mine.

Could you not get her to do the shaping as per the instructions for you?Just a thought with half term & easter looming large.

I can relate to that,what with epilepsy control,beta blockers & pain killers(arthritis) I often feel that way..especially when it's hot!!