Progress Update: August 16th

• (Photo) Eric heading down into the anchor chain locker to prep and do some touch up painting. All part of taking care of our anchoring system. 
• Bolts were also changed out on our primary anchor.

Progress Update: August 15th

 

Three hundred feet of primary anchor chain and primary anchor on the dock for inspection, marking and refurbishment. Of course

we picked one of the hottest days this year to wrestle it out of the depths of the chain locker. Chain and swivel looks good and we will be marking it for length run out. Will be installing new Grade 5 galvanized bolts on the Mantus 65 anchor. Will also be adding more nylon line to increase the total length so have some splicing to do. Will also be doing some painting in the chain locker while everything is out.

Progress Update: August 7th

Above deck anchor windlass rebuild completed! Clutch pads and metal plates were contaminated, glazed over and slipping under load, we were able to resurface them and fix the issues.

 

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Rebuilding the aft cabin head. Tight spot! We now have two functioning heads on board and the systems are all working as they should.

Replacing the seals on the freezer and refrigerator compartment hatches. This has made a huge difference in run times and plate icing. We put vinyl vee seals on instead of the foam.

Upcoming projects include pulling all the anchor chain for inspection and marking links for length run out. Also changing the way the secondary anchor rode is currently stowed and marked. Will be converting running lights from halogen bulbs to LED. This includes dealing with some wasps who have moved into our masthead before I can address changing the masthead light.

Progress Update: July 8th

• The last of the tool storage modification is completed. We are making room for our continued 'paring down' process. There are still a lot of tools to go through but we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel!
• The next project involved adding an improved oil filtration system for the main engine. 

Penny is supervising!

Eric working on oil system fittings. 

Prgress Update: June 15th

 (Eric caulking galley sink)

• The side-decks repainting/non-skid  is complete! Next for painting the border and non-skid on the forward and aft cabin tops and caulking of the inner toe-rail.
• Eric built the next set of bookshelves for the main salon. A few more to build and we should be finished with that particular project.
• We caught up on lots of engine and generator maintenance.
• The wooden tool drawers from Eric's old shipwrights chest have been modified to fit in a space on the boat. This mission vessel is going to offer lots of workshop ability when we are finished.
• Other small projects completed this month were fixing the breather system on the main engine to reduce oil consumption, re-caulking a leaky sink rim and fixing a spot of plumbing in the forward head.
• Next up will be two shelves built into a cabinet for more tool storage.

Progress Update: May 15th

(Eric prepping for non-skid)

• Eric is making great progress on the outer deck non-skid. He is 3/4 finished and will hopefully knock the rest out when we get our next weather break. Then the fore and aft cabin tops need to be done. This particular job cannot wait because of safety and also needs to be completed before the Summer heat and tropical weather.
• The rudder compartment has been hand sanded and scrubbed out and the hydraulic reservoir for the steering system remounted. The old brackets were badly corroded and new ones now have it firmly in place. The helm was tested and wiring reorganized. 
• The locker in front of that was also scrubbed out and Dri-Dek placed over the access hole so it can be used for storage. 
• Mary has begun replacing the screen in our hatch covers. A very tedious job but well worth the effort. We will be extremely grateful for them when we eventually are without shore power.

 

Progress Update: April 17th

(Eric beginning work on under-bunk box project)

• The under-bunk, main salon storage box is completed! This will provide a safe place for clamps, the small drill press and belt sander. There is more room for other tools as well. 
• The water maker is up and running after being pickled for over 6 months. We now have the ability to create 24 gallons of pure water in an hour. This was a very important project and we are very grateful for the relative ease in getting it running again. Eric went through the manual with a fine-tooth comb and carefully implemented each step with success. 
• Eric has begun working on the deck nonskid in sections. Each section will be prepped with sanding and a bit of caulking repair if needed and then re-painted. The first coat of paint receives a thorough coat of non-skid sand and once the paint dries, the excess sand is swept up with the shop-vac. Then it receives two more coats of paint. Good non-skid is a safety issue on a boat and can save from dangerous slips and falls. It is especially needed underway to provide secure footing in rough weather.