(Eric hand-planing VHF mount)
The bridge area progress is moving along very well.
- Eric finished the bridge wire runs and some of the varnish. Also Eric made bezels and openings in the lower bridge overhead for mounting electronic units.
- The new vinyl overhead in the bridge is up. It looks really good!
- A couple side jobs were completed as well. A wheel on the ships boarding ladder was repaired. The salvaged Ham Radio was checked to insure it was operational and then cleaned of smoke damage.
(Eric varnishing bridge trim strips)
- The bridge overhead, coverings and wire run boxes are almost complete. Each piece has to be custom cut, shaped, sanded, cherry stained, varnished (3 coats), re-fit, liquid nails adhesive applied to the backs and finally, nail gunned in place. A lot of steps but it is worth it!
- After the last pieces are in place, seam caulking will be applied to give it a nice finished look. Electronics placement and installation will be next.
(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!
