Progress Update:November 29th

(Eric installing helm lighting)

• All the overhead lighting in the helm is finished!! A red light is over each side door exit and two white lights over the work stations on each side of the center helm. The other five lights can transition with a flip of the wall switch, from red to blue to white. 
• Next project will be the galley. This is a large project and will go in stages. 
• The paint station has been on and around the galley side bench for the last three years and has been moved to the main salon.

Progress Update:November 16th

(Eric & Penny working on wiring)

• A big shout-out and thank you to Jared and Kalie for all their help and encouragement during the first week of November! 
• The generator is now running smoothly along with both radars. 
• The helm cabin now has working outlets and lights! The last things needed for operational use are a single and a full mattress for the two bunks. The head still needs to be installed in the future but is not necessary for use as a guest cabin. Next up will be installing helm lighting. 
• Eric also installed a red light to illuminate the head of the stairwell
• Kalie was a great help and encouragement for Mary in the galley and accomplishing several projects inside and outside the ship.

Progress Update: November 1st

(Eric measuring for building rat guards)

Penny started alerting on a rat entry area a few days ago. Eric sprung into action and built rat guards to cover the air vent grate leading into the engine room. Time will tell if they were just visiting or have moved in already. He saw a bit of rat sign on the back deck but it's still pretty warm here during the day so hopefully they were here just for the night.

 

Progress Update: October 27th

(Eric cutting foam mattress)

• The second top bunk is completed! Eric glued three layers of latex foam we had to make the mattress and then cut it to size. These top bunks have extra space at the foot of the beds which is convenient for a duffel bag or other soft-sided personal luggage. It also allows good access to the opening hatches for air-flow and outer port cleaning/maintenance.
• A plumbing problem reared its ugly head and shut off water for three days. Happily, everything is now repaired.
• A few small projects have been completed alongside daily ships' maintenance. We also purchased an inexpensive electric weed whacker to tame the growth along the dock.
• A lot of heavy flooding was experienced due to Hurricane Michael. Even though the hurricane was far from us, the outer winds were still enough to push a significant amount of water up the bayous and tributaries along the coast. 
• We would like to give a very grateful shout-out to the ladies who bought really nice material and sewed twelve large curtains for the ship. Lorraine Hofer (purchased material) and Lys Leiter (seamstress). Also Lynn Grell who served as our go-between and provided shipping. Thank you so much ladies... the curtains are beautiful!! Eric will be making dowels and simple block holders for ease of hanging and cleaning.

Progress Update: October 8th

(Eric starting on second top bunk)

• Bleaching of the helm area walls is now complete and 1/4 of the main salon is finished as well. Mary worked diligently with a toothbrush and cleaner/bleach mix. The remainder of the salon walls will be bleached towards the end of the refit due to all the wood, supplies and tools being stored in that area. 
• Eric is working back and forth between his current side job and ship projects. Several small things have been taken care of and he has begun building the second top bunk in the forward cabin.

Progress Update: September 30th

(Eric trimming foam for mattresses)

• The first upper bunk in the lower cabin is completely finished. Eric used spray adhesive to build a mattress using layers of high quality foam toppers. (Thanks Fiona!!)
• Our friends from REACH Ministry left on the 28th. We were able to do serious bleach scrubbing of the upper helm hallway using tooth brushes. It was a daunting task to get started but now Mary is working on the rest of the helm walls, a section at a time. They are coming out really nice considering the amount of smoke damage before the initial cleaning when we first took possession of the ship 3 years ago. It was time for a final, intense scrubbing and we are grateful to our friends for helping Mary get it started. Mike also did an awesome cleaning job on the upper deck barbecue grill. Thanks so much Mike and Lynn!!
• Other projects are on hold for the moment as Eric is working on another side job for our personal support. He is building a 14 ft bowsprit out of Douglas Fir.

 
 

Progress Update: September 18th

(Eric and temporary crew moving 'Far Horizons' to our new location...about 4 miles up the bayou.)

• Due to tropical storm preparations (which thankfully missed us) and getting the ship ready to move to a new location, actual tangible progress these last few weeks was less than normal. Our new location is only 4 miles up the Bayou from where we were docked and is much quieter. We had to move due to electrical issues and a pending property sale at the former boat yard. 
•  A very special thank you!! to Bill and Dave for crewing with us. They were invaluable as engine/generator assistance and dock hands! 
• We also want to thank Mike and Lynn Gross from 'REACH Ministry'. They arrived just in time to help with the move and have been working with us on current projects. The stairwell had been primed for a long time and we were finally at the stage where the walls would not be damaged if they were painted. So nice to have it finally completed! Thanks Mike!!
• The newest project is building the two upper bunks in the 2nd quarters up forward. The first bunk is almost ready. Thanks again for your painting assistance Mike! Eric applied the last coat and also caulked some areas. As soon as the beds' boards are painted and installed, Eric will begin building the second bunk.
• A couple smaller projects have also been completed. Eric finished varnishing and installed the wire-run in the helm's overhead and also built a sliding cover for the port in the shower stall of the newest cabin.
• Mary was very sick for about three weeks in August and subsequently fell behind on the ships' maintenance. We are so grateful!! to Lynn for all her help in working alongside Mary to help her catch up! Mike has been also very helpful in the galley. He spent years as a cook and sous chef and had many great tips and suggestions.