(Eric making patterns)
- The last few days had some unexpected projects which took priority from work on the bridge. Eric did manage to get the helm overhead scraped, small panels removed and patterns made for the 1/4 inch plywood facing.
- The forward emergency hatch needed work on rebuilding the door and inner hatch seal. All redone and functional again.
- The air conditioning raw water pump in the engine room started leaking badly due to a seal failure. We got up very early to replace the pump before the bad heat of the day set in. The job took about three hours. The last photo shows the leaking pump.
Scripture says to give thanks in all things (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and we can gratefully give thanks for the following:
1. The pump was still working although the leak was bad and it didn't just up and quit without warning.
2. It happened at the end of June and not in the intense heat of mid-august.
3. There was a new replacement pump already wired and had been set aside for when we were planning at some time in the future to re-plumb the system.
4. Even though Eric had to do some modifications and add some extra wiring, it all went well.
5. Everything works and although it was physically demanding in the heat and painful for Eric's shoulders, he made it through. He is now taking a couple days off from anything too strenuous to give his shoulders a rest.
(Eric building hatches)
- The lower helm project has begun! The first two photos show the before pictures.
- Step one is to build 10 hatches into the flooring; of which 4 are now completed. Vinyl flooring will be the last step in the project and having the hatches completed ahead of time makes the final job much easier.
- After the hatches we will begin building custom compartments for the electronics.
- Eric also has a side project going in the shop. He is hand sanding the wheel from the upper helm.
- In the last photo, Penny had a friend on board helping with supervising that day! (Our neighbors' dog)
(Mary working on daily maintenance chores)
- The forward A/C unit is now fully installed to cool the upper helm and new guest cabin.
- Plumbing for the lower guest head shower and sink are now hooked up and operational.
- Eric spent a lot of time in and out of the forward bilge installing the sump for the newly run plumbing. Very slow, tedious and arduous job because of difficult access.
- Eric's side job for our personal support is just about finished. He will now be able to devote full-time to the next project: rebuilding the helm station!
(Eric reinstalling water tank cover)
- The water tank is finished! 750 gallons now available after a very difficult job. One more water tank to go but it can wait for a bit while we catch up on some other important projects.
- Eric repaired some leaks on the aft teak deck by scraping out the old seams, re-caulking, trimming and sanding.
- The first of the two forward A/C units has been mostly plumbed and wired.
- A new pump and float switch has been wired in the forward lower sump.
(Tom and Larry working on A/C wiring)
- Extra progress was made this last week due to some wonderful volunteers! Tom Burky (IMS VP) and Larry and Lynn Grell. Thank you so much for all your encouragement and hard work!
- The hydraulic system has been further mapped out. We have identified a few issues that we will be addressing when we get to that point in the project. Also repaired a pinhole leak in the steering circuit.
- The A/C for the helm and adjacent guest quarters was wired and plumbed except for the overboard discharge. that will come soon.
- The water tank is almost finished. The baffle has been painted and installed and the new access hatch gasket has been made and ready to be set in place. Just a few more plumbing connections and it's in service!
- Eric completed a side project in the forward stairwell. He installed the refurbished locker doors and frames which have been on hold for quite awhile. We wanted to make sure the bulk of the construction was completed up forward before reinstalling. The stairwell is very narrow and they could have been damaged due to the sheets of plywood being brought below. They look really nice!
- Eric also reinstalled a section of overhead in the guest stateroom. They were taken down for access to plumbing runs for removal of old pipes and hoses.
(Eric grinding water tank baffles)
- 95% finished inside the water tank. Eric still needs to paint and install the baffles but the last coat of epoxy paint was finally completed this morning! The heat and humidity are starting to ramp up so it is perfect timing. The completion of repairs on this tank were very important as both tanks were down which meant we could not store water. So thankful to have the use of this 750 gallon tank. The second tank will wait till early fall or could be tackled sooner if its cool enough inside the ship. It's located underneath the galley and stairwell.
- The injector pump on the primary generator has been rebuilt and reinstalled. We needed a new starting battery and switch as well. Both have now been replaced and it sounds beautiful! 'Casadaban Marine Services' did a great job for a very fair price! Some jobs Eric simply cannot do and this company was practically next door!
