Haven't had much to post in the last couple months as it has been filled with mostly working and waiting and saving. But we have also been planning and budgeting the next phase. We've gotten a lot of questions about specifics of mentioned projects, and requests for a list of what we need to do. I created the "Checklist to Launch" page, which itemizes and notes the steps, and indicates level of completion. It can be found at the top of the screen. It will be updated as we go.
Here is the expanded more detailed version of that list. Please note that not yet has a project been completed in the predicted time frame, or required the predicted time, money, or effort. Whether to our advantage or disadvantage, there is always a development or change in circumstances that alters the course and makes some systems irrelevant or problematic. So, I give you this run down with that awareness. Also, for those of you wanting detailed technical information about said projects, large and unique projects will receive a dedicated post each. Please comment to let us know what other projects you would find most interesting in the blog.
In 30 days I will quit my job, and AJ will no longer be able to use the shop. At the end of 30 days we would like to be ready to haul out.
In Shop in next 30 days:
Build Engine Room Fiberglass Parts: 1) Finish the hatch 2) Build propane locker 3) Engine mounts 4)Engine control box.
Also in Next 30 Days:
1) Wiring and plumbing for the portable on demand hot water propane shower for bathroom or cockpit with sump pump in bathroom. 2) Install pressure water pump 3) Install full solar set up with controller/ampmeter 4) Install the vented propane locker behind tiller base under the wheel-steering captain seat position. Also install thru hull that vents to the outside. 5) Install the starter battery box and engine wiring. 6) Finish Engine Room/Paint 7) Wheel to Tiller conversion.
We are going to remove the wheel steering and replace it with a tiller. This means selling the big 9" bronze compass which sits on the wheel post, and all the wheel steering gear. I have thought about keeping it in case the next owner wants to convert back, but I don't know where I would store it, and that big compass is quite nice and valuable. We'll have to make or buy a big tiller. According to our schedule though, there isn't time to make one this month. It also means installing a bulkhead compass and making a swinging arm with our GPS chartplotter mounted so it can be viewed in the shaded companionway from the cockpit, or swung inward to be viewed in the cabin. (Now all of that mounts to the wheel/wheel post.
We'll drop the engine in as soon as the engine room is ready.
HAUL OUT:
I suspect the engine drive shaft is too short, and we will need to replace or at least re-fit the cutlass bearing and shaft packing gland immediately. We can't do that in the water, so it's a haul out project. We will likely tow to a yard right across the river. Then we can fit a new shaft, bearing, and seal specific to the new engine, install and plumb the new engine and the new fuel tank, and replace the thru-hulls from a step ladder rather than a bobbing dinghy.
We will paint the bottom. Sand the varnish off the toe rails and exterior teak. Install external chain plates. Remove the stanchions for refitting after paint. Refit/install new polycarbonate windows. The windows will require removing the interior wood paneling. It is delaminating in many places where the windows leak. We'll sand and fair the fiberglass beneath and paint it, and keep the wood trim around the windows.
Grind, patch, and paint the decks with white Interlux topsides edging around large sections of tan textured Kiwigrip. Then the boat will be glossy white... or blue or green or black ... , with bare oiled exterior teak trim and toe rail on white and tan decks and cabin top.
Then we will remove the old mast and reinforce the cabin roof and mast compression post (bathroom wall). Then, depending on if we have a mast yet and it's location and the cost of a crane, we will rig while on the hard, or launch and motor to the rigging location (we may buy a mast currently in Jacksonville). But once we are back in the water with working systems and a working engine we are free to spend nothing and anchor and cook beans until we can do the rig if we can't find a reasonable replacement.
LAUNCH
At this point she will have all her new functioning systems, a new rig and well finished engine and engine room/lazarette/cockpit lockers, and be looking bristol from the outside. Hopefully we will then run away to The Bahamas and play around at shooting reef fish before sailing to a hurricane hideout in Central America and work on refinishing the interior and doing something about the icky ice box and it's wasted space. Regardless in few months we will finally have a nearly self sufficient home, and can start focusing on acquiring and improving the skills required to live this life we have chosen. Sailing, navigation, and life aboard a moving ship. We will have the home that will cut life's expenses down to almost nothing and allow us to start roaming.
Here is the expanded more detailed version of that list. Please note that not yet has a project been completed in the predicted time frame, or required the predicted time, money, or effort. Whether to our advantage or disadvantage, there is always a development or change in circumstances that alters the course and makes some systems irrelevant or problematic. So, I give you this run down with that awareness. Also, for those of you wanting detailed technical information about said projects, large and unique projects will receive a dedicated post each. Please comment to let us know what other projects you would find most interesting in the blog.
In 30 days I will quit my job, and AJ will no longer be able to use the shop. At the end of 30 days we would like to be ready to haul out.
In Shop in next 30 days:
Build Engine Room Fiberglass Parts: 1) Finish the hatch 2) Build propane locker 3) Engine mounts 4)Engine control box.
Also in Next 30 Days:
1) Wiring and plumbing for the portable on demand hot water propane shower for bathroom or cockpit with sump pump in bathroom. 2) Install pressure water pump 3) Install full solar set up with controller/ampmeter 4) Install the vented propane locker behind tiller base under the wheel-steering captain seat position. Also install thru hull that vents to the outside. 5) Install the starter battery box and engine wiring. 6) Finish Engine Room/Paint 7) Wheel to Tiller conversion.
We are going to remove the wheel steering and replace it with a tiller. This means selling the big 9" bronze compass which sits on the wheel post, and all the wheel steering gear. I have thought about keeping it in case the next owner wants to convert back, but I don't know where I would store it, and that big compass is quite nice and valuable. We'll have to make or buy a big tiller. According to our schedule though, there isn't time to make one this month. It also means installing a bulkhead compass and making a swinging arm with our GPS chartplotter mounted so it can be viewed in the shaded companionway from the cockpit, or swung inward to be viewed in the cabin. (Now all of that mounts to the wheel/wheel post.
We'll drop the engine in as soon as the engine room is ready.
HAUL OUT:
I suspect the engine drive shaft is too short, and we will need to replace or at least re-fit the cutlass bearing and shaft packing gland immediately. We can't do that in the water, so it's a haul out project. We will likely tow to a yard right across the river. Then we can fit a new shaft, bearing, and seal specific to the new engine, install and plumb the new engine and the new fuel tank, and replace the thru-hulls from a step ladder rather than a bobbing dinghy.
We will paint the bottom. Sand the varnish off the toe rails and exterior teak. Install external chain plates. Remove the stanchions for refitting after paint. Refit/install new polycarbonate windows. The windows will require removing the interior wood paneling. It is delaminating in many places where the windows leak. We'll sand and fair the fiberglass beneath and paint it, and keep the wood trim around the windows.
Grind, patch, and paint the decks with white Interlux topsides edging around large sections of tan textured Kiwigrip. Then the boat will be glossy white... or blue or green or black ... , with bare oiled exterior teak trim and toe rail on white and tan decks and cabin top.
Then we will remove the old mast and reinforce the cabin roof and mast compression post (bathroom wall). Then, depending on if we have a mast yet and it's location and the cost of a crane, we will rig while on the hard, or launch and motor to the rigging location (we may buy a mast currently in Jacksonville). But once we are back in the water with working systems and a working engine we are free to spend nothing and anchor and cook beans until we can do the rig if we can't find a reasonable replacement.
LAUNCH
At this point she will have all her new functioning systems, a new rig and well finished engine and engine room/lazarette/cockpit lockers, and be looking bristol from the outside. Hopefully we will then run away to The Bahamas and play around at shooting reef fish before sailing to a hurricane hideout in Central America and work on refinishing the interior and doing something about the icky ice box and it's wasted space. Regardless in few months we will finally have a nearly self sufficient home, and can start focusing on acquiring and improving the skills required to live this life we have chosen. Sailing, navigation, and life aboard a moving ship. We will have the home that will cut life's expenses down to almost nothing and allow us to start roaming.
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