The first project this week was to put hinges on one of the floor hatches to the engine room. In the past we had to remove the hatch to go down there. It's heavy and we probably put some nicks in the area where we set it aside. All in all a pain in you know where. This has been on the list since we bought the boat but as the hinges needed to be chiseled into the parquet floor I procrastinated as it takes a bit of skill that I did not have plus it's easy to screw up. With a bit of a push from Chris I finally bit the bullet and took the challenge. It took a day and turned out better than I expected. Sometimes I surprise even myself. The easy part of the install then turned out to be the most difficult. We both thought it would be nice if we used a gas spring to assist in raising the hatch and as a prop to keep it open. This was a fail for various reasons and we ended up using a hatch rod like is used on a deck hatch. With this we still have to raise the hatch by hand and twist a knob to lock it in. Sometimes simple is best. As we sat admiring the completed project Chris mentioned that it's one down and one to go. The hatch further forward. No rest for the wicked, but I think I would like to bask in the first install for awhile before tackling the next one.
No sit'n around here. Next, the teak cap rail around the boat and the bow pulpit was looking bad so we decided to refinish it. Normally you wouldn't have to take it all the way down to bare wood but we sort of neglected it. You are supposed to recoat it every 6 months or so but we ignored it in favor of recreation duties.
As with most projects there was a fly in the ointment. There were black stains coming from the bow rail stanchions where they attach to the cap rail. Seems that there are weep holes at the stanchion bases where water and dirt can drain out of the stanchions. Also, improperly bedded bases collected dirt that would weep out when it rained. The starboard side was the worst so I took off the rail and bases for re-bedding and blocked the weep holes. We'll see if that comes back to bite me in the butt.
Then it was wash, acid and sand. Not so bad. 2 days. And now we let it sit for a few days before we put on a couple coats of Semco wood preservative. I hope we learned our lesson. The instructions say "recoat when necessary".
The next on the list was an easy one but for some reason I procrastinated for a whole year. The weather station panel had been kicking around on counters getting in the way where ever it sat but for some reason I didn't take a few minutes an attach it to a wall. Linda bought the station last year and it has been a wonderful tool. How did Columbus every get by with out one I will never know. Attached is the install along with the working part on the mast. It's on the left mounted on the spreader.
Also note the new LED spreader lights installed last year
Chris here-
Kerm is back 'on the job'. Lots getting done...my studying is suffering a bit (also my gossip sessions with the guys around the marina) but it is wonderful to have him home again.
I snapped a couple more pictures for you
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| Boat Jewelry |
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| Transom door and cap rail |
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| Cap rail waiting for Semco |
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| new transportation |
The diver cleaned Belle's bottom on Thursday and said our paint is looking good. He will replace Zinc anodes next month when he cleans again. We are having a new Bimini top made. Existing one tore a bit when we got that 34 knot wind Kerm mentioned and the fabric's sunblocking capabilities were shot. That work should be started this week.
That's all from here this morning. Take care all.
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