Xmas at Home

Pat and Chris

Home sweet Home

Pat, Chris, Heather

Our grandson, Camerson Heather

and Dodger

The work shop

Alot of stuff from other three boats, never know when you will need something.

Old vs. Young

When I was 32, Chris was about to experiecne his first trip on
our Westerley in the Mobjack. At that time, I could hold him on my shoulders.

And here is the same, but quite older man and his boat. Insterad of being on my boat, Chris is taking my picture. Not much work on the boat. I will be adding other pictures, soon. Happy New Year

Past meetings - November 29, 2007

Just heard back from Lin and Larry Pardey. Had not seen them since 1998 at Fishing Bay. Though we did not talk much, I enjoyed the brief encounter. I would highly recommend all sailors to vist their site.
http://www.landlpardey.com/

Happy Thanksgiving

Turkey Day - Chris, Heather and Cameron came over for as usual a great meal by Pat. Chris moved some heavy items for me that I had left until he had a chance to help.

Bulkhead Aft - November 19,2007

I cut out a pattern from blue foam board, 1/4 ", and after much correcting and adding pieces by masking tape, I am ready to cut out of the marine plywood. I will need to make this a two piece installation, not because of fitting, but the width of the area. I want the have the strength by having grain run vertical, but the the area to cover is five feet. Prior to installing will seal wood with expoxy west system. Most likely use the old from six years ago. Though is no longer clear, really does not matter since will not be seen.

There are folks alot worst off than I am and still kicking. Anyway, I have to get this boat done.

Tack up wind

I found this in my wandering and appreciate the author, that is unknown at this time

Quote "A basic sloop rig with two six-ft cockpit seats and two good sized berths in the main cabin. The V-berth is only large enough for children. ( We use it for storage.) A delightful boat for "gunkholing" here in the Florida Keys. Run aground? With a 23 in. draft, just get out and push it off! The outboard's prop never gets near bottom. Sails nicely with just 140 genoa. Comfortable for two persons for overnite or several days. Limitations are ice and water. Added life lines, stern rail (used), roller furling, all new navigation lights, Origo single-burner alcohol stove, stern-mounted charcoal barbecue, compass, vhf, 10 gal. water tank, 12 gal. gas tank on aft deck of cockpit, awning, electric bilge pump, cassette stereo, used loran and used autopilot. Converted mast to internal halyards and lead them back to cockpit. Upgraded primary winches (with used ones) and put original primary winch on cabin top for halyards. Makes a nice comfortsble compact cruiser. WEAKNESSES: (1.) Both original u-bolt-style "chainplates" failed from cracks while under sail. Had to get new ones hand made for $85. (2.) Carry a spare tiller. I slipped and fell against mine, and it split right at the rudder. It's a weak design, and you can't get home without one. Overall, my wife and I love the boat. " Unquote

Difficult Time, Nay Just life - November 12, 2007

So, back to the boat. Wasn't that a transition....

I have got both bulkheads done. I have glassed the overhead and had the plates made to back the hinge for mast on deck. Removed all the foam beneath the cockpit and cleaned. Now is the time to decide whether to cut out the flooring. It seems sturdy, perhaps well enough alone. It depends on the bilge area. If that can be addressed without removing the floor. Perhaps if I make entrances in section along the bilge. We will have to see.

I have had a good life and should not complain. But, I need to get back in the bay.

By the way, go back to 8/11/07. Quote" I don't plan to spend too much." Dare I say more. This is just another hole in the water (driveway) to pour money into. At this point we are at $1500 for all costs including boat itself.

Catching Up - October 20, 2007

Well I have not had a chance to enter information, things have been going on outside my control. However, I have removed the two bulkheads, recut new, and began varnishing. Put a post in to allow those to be removed. Pat bought white vinyl for the walls.

Chris came over on the weekend and helped. I am hoping that he continues.

Supplies and removing remaining wood- September 30, 2007

Other events have taken up my time and the project has been secondary. However, I have made some ground on materials that were needed. Picked up basis items at Lowe's', sandpaper, masks, acetone, 0000 steel wool, fine blades for jig saw and bees wax. The later was to be butcher wax recommended by Shannon who works with Pat on the weekends at E-Stitches. The latter was not available so I purchased some bee wax to put on the bottom of the sled of the jig saw. This will keep the wood from being scared.

I called West Marine and ordered items. Interior paint, varnish (satin), West System expoy. Cost was around $170.00. Having registered as a new boat owner at the Virginia Beach WM, received an additional 10% off, plus shipping was $1.05, not bad.

I have taken all the interior wood, save the bulkhead. There I have a post in place ready to remove the existing bulkhead. Pat and I discussed the interior. She suggested that I replace the vinyl with a white somewhat rough feel. She said that when back in Raleigh would look for.

Wood Panel Visit -September 19, 2007

I visited Wood Panel Products in Windor, NC. over the weekend and met Al and Mike. They were extremely helpful and were able to provide me with the how to. I bought sheets of HydroCore BS1088 Marine Plywood 2440 x 1220mm. They explained that this plywood is for structure, like I need for bulkhead. Their web site is http://www.worldpanel.com/

That too much money - September 18, 2007

&&mm, spent money which I was not prepare. I stayed at my family's home in Virginia Beach while attending a conference for work. Thanks Mike and Susan !

In leaving, I decided to stop at West Marine, that was a wrong decision. I bought two gallons of 2000E Barrier Interlux, with a gift card that coverage a percentage plus a new boat discount. I saved $50.00 by doing so.

The question of consignment came up and I found Salty Dog in Norfolk. Got a fiberglass roller and a roll of glass, woven, fairly cheap.

I decided to stop downtown Norfolk at Yukon Lumber to check plywood prices, but could not find. I know it is up off Waterside Dr. then to St. Paul. Anyway, went over to Bluewater in Hampton and spoke about getting some expoy resin, all they had in stock was West. I don't like West. It to expensive. Will wait on that.

Went over to Newport News downtown to my old stomping grounds, for work not play, and went into Waterside Lumber. I had not been there in 20 years.

They had marine plywood at a reasonable price, I bought a few sheets and drove on home. Pat helped me unload.

Tomorrow I am driving down to Windor NC to World Panel to look at some teak veneer.

Cost of the day. $200.00

Something said about too many list - September 14, 2007

I keep thinking of plans for the boat. Now I want to consider how many batteries, do I want shore power, what about solar? Need to focus on one thing at a time. Ok, got it cleaned except for mid-ships, which won't take long. I had planned to next go outside and work on the boat then do pressure water test the deck. Time wise, ain't a factor. There is no haul out or toss in fee, storage is free.

So finish the midships and the scrap the hull below the water line....This is a circle, I have been here before.

Batteries, need to focus on..not now !

Overload information -September 14, 2007

TOO much information. Here I make a decision on the wood for the bulkhead and bamg ! Here I go again. A boat maker said not to use plywood reasoning that it will never come back to the same. What that means I have no idea. He said to take Mahogany boards. I don't know.....

Decision MDO vs Marine plywood - September 12, 2007

I am going to have to replace the bulkhead at some point. After taking and writing, listening and reading. I think the best choice is to use marine plywood. I want to cover that with veneer, what I don't know yet. So that decision is made. Moving on. Once I have the entire boat clean, except for areas that was no way to get to (beneath the cockpit where foam is located and the stern below the cockpit that I cannot reach.)

I am stopping inside and go outside to do below the water line. My plan is to do the same as I have with all my prior boats. Sand or scrap down to the gel coat, get it smooth and fiberglass where I need to, I hope there is none. Then seal the bottom with two coats of good expoy, like Interlux.

Next, I will do a pressure test of the deck, sealing all area to allow the pressure to build up inside and water with Joy, slowing watching for bubbles.

This is when the work will start.

Where I was 9 11 2001

7:59 a.m. American Airlines Flight 11 takes off from Boston's Logan Airport and I was up drinking coffee.
8:13 a.m. The last official communication between American Airlines Flight 11 and ground controllers occurs and the transponder stops transmitting. The hijacking occurs at about this point and I was in the shower.
8:43 a.m. United Airlines Flight 175 is hijacked and I was brushing my teeth.
8:46:26 a.m. American Airlines Flight 11 out of Boston, Massachusetts, crashes into the north tower of the World Trade Center with an estimated 10,000 gallons of fuel and traveling 470 mph, I was unaware until the news broke in. I sat in my chair in disbelief.
8:50 a.m. United Airlines Flight 175 begins heading towards New York City.
9:02:54 a.m. United Airlines Flight 175 hits the south tower of the World Trade Center and explodes and I was there in my house in my comfortable chair, watching and horrified.
9:38 a.m. American Airlines Flight 77 crashes into the Pentagon. My God who will be next, I thought.
10:05 a.m. The south tower of the World Trade Center collapses.
10:10 a.m. A portion of the Pentagon collapses.
10:10 a.m. United Airlines Flight 93 crashes in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, southeast of Pittsburgh.
10:28 a.m. The north tower of the World Trade Center collapses from the top down on. I cried for an hour in disbelief.

On 09 11 07, I will go to work at be at my desk at 8:46:26 ----SAFE , God willing.

Remember

Source of free Mahogany ? - September 10, 2007

This morning having coffee at a local store, I got to talking with a gentleman that builds furniture. Told him I needed to buy some mahogany. He said not to buy but come to his shop. He had a pile of mahogany six foot tall in lengthy up to four feet. In asking where he found got it. Said that it come from pallets that his items are shipped on from Indonesia. Further, that most folks are unaware of this. Further, many pallet recyclers done like to use, because it hard to nail. So, I pass this along to those looking. They should talk to folks that 1: ship in large items from Indonesia or 2. Talk to pallet recyclers.

Removing the Rotten wood - September 8, 2007

The plywood install by the builder was pine and not sealed, so over the years, getting wet and so forth if came down to being useless to repair. In speaking to a supplier for marine and MBO plywood, the cost is prohibitive for the amount that is needed. I will pose a question on sailnet and see if there is any alternative. (Answers varied, to no on your life to OK with expoy. Still need to see what would be the best solution as well as the true cost in long run.)

I have removed the foam blocks from the bow, for now, and cleaned the area. In cleaning, I have now seen all the areas inside that need attention. This is the only way that I know one can really get to know a boat. (Only repair in the front/bow of book is replace the berths). I will be instaling so shelves in the bow and then returning he foam blocks. The boat does not have a head and I would like. Pat want me to just have a portable pot. I guess that will have to do.

May need to replace the bulkheads, the wood at the bottom is rotted out. That will be a chore.

The 41, 30 and Westerly did not have the rotten plywood that this vessel has, so this is a new area for me. It not a problem as to replacing, having kept all the old plywood for templates.

Once the inside is ready to start rebuilding, I am going to pressure test the deck with water and Joy to see what has to be done.
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For future reference for the purpose by writer to have a quick source of information when needed. THESE ARE NOT THE WRITER but are attributed to other sources found on the Web.

Jim Seidel of Interlux doesn’t recommend applying any single-part topside paint directly over newly cured epoxy. Apparently, the amine blush, a common byproduct of cured epoxy, mixes with the driers in the paint and the finish won’t dry. Two-part finishes, like Interthane Plus, are less susceptible to amine blush. Better to allow the epoxy to cure for about a week or longer, then remove the water-soluble blush with soapy water and wet sand with 120-grit paper (always use 3M Freecut paper to prevent paper loading). As for a primer, it’s best to apply a blush-free polyamide epoxy, such as Interlux 404/414, then sand and apply the topside paint. To solve your problem Seidel recommends sanding well with 220-grit paper and wipe down with Interlux 333 thinner. Then try a small test patch, applying Brightside thinned 10% with 333. If it dries, paint the rest. If it doesn’t, sand to remove all the primer, then paint with 404/414 and Interthane Plus. This paint is a better choice for decks as it’s much harder than Brightside, but it cannot be applied over Brightside primer. The prior is attrituded to Interlux Paint.

The best method to attach fasteners where there is no back access and you cannot thru-bolt with a backing plate is to use the hardware bonding method. Bonding fasteners with epoxy resin (e.g. Epiglass, West System) increases the load transfer area to provide the needed holding power. Bonding techniques vary for cored and non-cored decks and for aluminum and stainless hardware. The following instructions are outlined in more detail in the booklet “Fiberglass Boat Repair & Maintenance” (catalog number 002-550), published and sold by Gougeon Brothers (Tel: 517/684-7286). Considering the point loading on a boarding ladder, you must prepare the hull and hardware exactly as outlined to ensure a good bond and prevent damage to the deck. To do this, mask the working area, then solvent wipe. Masking prevents contaminating the work area with wax residue, etc. Drill an oversize hole, twice the diameter of the fastener and to a depth of its length. To increase the holding power, fill the hole one-third full with epoxy thickened with colloidal silica. Let cure. Place the mounting brackets in position and outline the perimeter and fastener holes with a pencil. Drill pilot holes in the cured epoxy for the screws. Tape plastic around the work area to protect from spills. Using 80-grit paper, sand the area within the pencil line. Also sand the contact surface of the mounting brackets to expose fresh metal. Mask the finish surfaces of the brackets for protection from epoxy spills. Solvent wipe all mating surfaces. Mix up a small batch of unthickened epoxy and wet-out the matting surface of the deck, inside the drilled deck holes and screw threads. Wet out the mounting surface of the brackets, then aggressively sand with 80-grit paper. This exposes fresh metal in epoxy, thus eliminating air and the possibility of oxidation. West System also recommends etching the aluminum prior to wetting out (purchase the 860 Aluminum Etch Kit). Thicken epoxy resin with colloidal silica to a peanut-butter consistency. Apply liberally to the deck mounting surface. Fill the fastener holes and, using a toothpick or small stick, stir to remove any air bubbles. Liberally coat the screw threads with thickened epoxy. Place the brackets in position and tighten the fasteners just until epoxy begins to squeeze out the joint. Clean up any epoxy residue. Remove the masking tape. Allow the epoxy to fully cure at least 24 hours before attaching the ladder, and wait three days to a week before applying a load. The pror is attritubed to Interlux Paint Company.

Barrier coatings are designed to prevent blisters but the occurrence of blistering is unpredictable and subject to many variables. Chances are that, if your boat has been in the same geographic area with the same haulout schedule for many years and has suffered no blistering, it is not likely to anytime soon. Take the boat to a fresh water lake in Georgia and leave it in the water for 20 months straight and it might suddenly develop a blister problem. Some of the variables that affect a particular boat's proclivity for blistering include the quality controls on construction and materials at the time the boat was built, such as the length of time the boat has continuously been in the water and water temperature and salinity content. The next time you haul out have a surveyor inspect the hull bottom and check the moisture levels with a moisture meter after the boat has been out of the water for awhile. High relative (relative to the normally dry hull topsides) readings may give early warning of a potential for hydrolysis of the resin and the resulting blisters. In that case, you can dry the boat out and apply a barrier coating before the blisters have a chance to start. A barrier coat applied to a dry hull helps prevent blisters by preventing water migration into the laminate. Like an insurance policy, it's never a bad idea but you might not ever actually need it. The prior is attritubed to Interlux Paint Company.

According to Jim Siedel of Interlux, when a boat is not kept in the water there is no need for antifouling paint. Over time, however, the existing paint will begin to fade and chalk. This is an aesthetic problem only and, while it doesn't harm the hull, it may damage people's clothes if they come in contact with it. Use a paint remover (e.g., Interstrip 299E) to remove the coating. To remove the leftover stain in the gelcoat, blend 299E and 399 at a 50/50 ratio and apply while agitating the surface with a ScotchBrite pad. Next, compound the hull, follow with a glaze (e.g. 3M Finesse-it II) and then wax. These photos from Interlux show the steps involved. In the bottom photo, the boat looks brand new. If you decide to paint but don't wish to do this on a routine basis, Jim recommends using a hard paint, such as Fiberglass Bottomkote or Fiberglass Bottomkote Aqua, both of which retain their color longer than ablative or copolymer paints. The prior is attritubed to Interlux Paint Company.

There are several ways of going about this. While you could grind out an area so you have a 12:1 angle, prepare a patch that duplicates the laminate on your boat and bond the patch in place, there is a simpler method. Having just completed this on a 22' (6.7m) powerboat, it's very workable and the least visible. Use a holesaw to cut a plug from a piece of marine-grade mahogany plywood. The plug will need to be the size of the hole diameter you need to fill. Tape the repair area, and then solvent wipe it and the hole. If you have access to the interior bilge, do the same and sand with 80-grit to rough up the surface. Mix up a batch of epoxy resin, coat the edges of the plug. Glue the plug in place with glue thickened to a peanut-butter consistency. The plug thickness should be slightly less than the hull thickness at the hole. Position the plug so it's slightly recessed on the outside. Using a rotary tool (e.g., Dremel) and a cone-shaped file, grind the outside edge to create a bevel. Solvent wipe and fill the cavity with epoxy resin thickened with a mixture of microballons and cabosil. Level the area flush to the hull using a large squeegee. Wipe, sand flush, and then apply two or three coats of unthickened epoxy resin. As your repair is below the waterline and you'll be applying bottom paint, you don't even need to gelcoat. But if I was, I would sand, and then brush or spray on color-matched gelcoat. Once cured, remove the masking tape. Retape the repair area moving out 2" or more. Solvent wipe, wet sand, and then gelcoat. I usually move the tape out in increments a few times to blend in the repair. To stiffen the repair on the inside, solvent wipe, and then wet the repair area by brushing on unthickened epoxy, and then wet out a piece of 6oz fiberglass cut to size, lay over the area and use a squeegee to remove air bubbles. Once cured, cut your new hole and you're ready to install that new transducer. This is attributed to Jan Mundy.

I have been putting off - September 5, 2007

OK, up till now, very little has been accomplished. The boat is stable on the trailer, with jack stands on four corners. I also support the bow and stern, hull center with four step ladders with cross member support, using Styrofoam wedges. I do not like movement while on the boat. This has well steadied when walking below and on deck.

It has been my practice on the last three boats to do one simple task first. Well it is not simply, but I have understood the vessel better. No its not a survey, that would not be feasible for this vessel.

It's cleaning ! I have found that if I before ripping out, except for the obvious, cleaning all the the large and small areas, all the problems will become apparent. From major to minor. Plus, I an vision what I want to do in an area.

So I started with the dirtest, tightest, darkest area of the boat that I can crawl into. Forgot something, before starting cleaning, I wanted make sure there were no four, six, twelve legged surprises. So set off a bug bomb and allow it work over night. I did and avoided some companions. Back to cleaning. So on the starboard aft storage to the port side it was all cleaned and ready to paint. (some of this may have been address at a prior date on the blog, humor me, I am on a roll) This boats stern either was down or water came in to around two foot. So I know that the sole will need to be checked for rotten wood. So, I ripped out the plywood berth seats/cover, whatever, have a clean all areas. The inside so the hull has only one areas I need to fiberglass. It nothing significant, when built, they left a tag dry from resin.

So that is where I am. To help me organize, since my age is significant, I have email a gentleman that purports he has a book that may be able to help. We will see. If so, I will share. Who am I kidding, I am the only one reading this !

Lights out. I think that this was kind of the same thing I wrote last time. Who cares. It my back and acking T%$@. I will get my camera working so that pictures of progress or lack of can be posted

One thingI will have asked assitance is how to work on the bottom where the trailer rails are. Normally at the yard it would not be an issue.

Crawling Into Tight Spaces - September 2, 2007

Hold it, who are these two? If that were Chris and I Now we would not have a hard time crawling into tight spaces. He was two and I was, had hair.

On the 9/2, which was my 58th, got into taking on cleaning the port aft. I was again a mess. Something happened, it had filled up with water sometime in the past. Needless to say, I DID NOT KNOW ! But, so far it has this oversight has not revealed any serious problem. This was a two day job. And I am not feeling great. Wish I was the guy in the picture again.

No I don't....

So, both the starboard and port aft are ready to be,,,,what. I don't know, it better to continue ripping out and cleaning in order to check out
all the small places. I going to need to replace some of the plates for deckmounted items, i.e. winches, etc. etc.

Once the cleaning is done, we'll do a pressure test to find leaking on the deck.

Foam or not to Foam - August 31, 2007 (revised 09/02/07)

I need storage and there is not alot of room. Need to find out whether the foam is really needed. Will doing some cleaning tommorrow. First task is the the starboard aft locker. It is black with gease. I don't think it has ever been cleaned or painted. The plan will be to add rolling shelf for a cooler above the removeable fuel tank.

I am using the same cleaner used in the past. Called Purple something, like that. But is very good taking on the grease.

09/01/07
A knowledgeable sailor on sailnet suggested in so many words, it would not be a good idea to remove the foam. I had not thought about hitting a stump in the planned sailing area, Kerr Lake VA/NC.

Doing work on this boat is going to take some adjustment. The others were saltwater where the O'Day will be in fresh. Pat said I could not take this one into the bay. Probably right, it not as heavy duty as the 416 for that matter the Westerly.

Don't Reinvent the Wheel - August 29, 2007

I found two sites that gentlemen put together that should answer questions that I have as to what the boat looks like with peices removed. http://www.sailboatowners.com/upload/display.tpl?folder=73140477494&fno=79

http://carrboroyachtclub.blogspot.com/


My first chore is to find materials that Chris and I will need. (Chris is my son who is going to help). I need to find two 3/8 inch marine plywood. One guy locally said he could order and will call. Also the has teak sheets, but could not get to them.

Spoke to a gentleman that came to the house with his wife to have Pat do some embroidery. We talked and found that in the past he worked for Hatteras (Wellcraft). Interesting, Hatteras did not us marine plywood except in stringers, they use OSB.

I spoke the group on sailnet.com, thanks guys, who gave me leads for plywood: (If you are a serious sailer, this is the group to join, again serious but at time light and no bull$#%^ is tolerated)

http://www.worldpanel.com/index.htm which is in Windor NC down the road.
http://www.apawood.org/ Standards for woods
http://www.capitolcitylumber.com/plywood.cfm in Raleigh NC
http://www.dap.com/docs/tech/00030205.pdf DAP® WELDWOOD Waterproof Resorcinol Glue

This is going to help as long as the health stays fair,

So it goes. So much for now. This is going to be so slow.

First Step, Get the junk off. August 27, 2007

I took to getting everything off the boat that was left, including gasoline ! Unbelievable, why would someone leave a tank half full? So, removed everything that was not attached and have a open area to work from.

Doing a quick survey, the following is needed: Replace both port and starboard berth's wood. Checked out bulkhead, it appears that the hinge plate has done some damage. Fiberglassing in side will fix that. To paint or sand the existing bulkheads, I don't know which way to go . The bulkheads are slide into a formed section of the deck. Throwaway the potty, I don't need that, will made that area a locker. Box in the starboard berth, since there is no partition separating from stern. Box in beneath cockpit for storage, same for berths.

Well that is the initial punch list. First I have got to clean the whole interior, except that which will replaced.

After removing all the items on board, which was just mostly junk. It now is time to evaulate what to do next. Though the bulkheads forward appears ok, I don't like the look. Having not replaced a bulkhead before, I have to figure out whether to sand out wood to leave a clean look or just replace. The first would be must eaiser.



The boat is dirty, but appears sound. I just it was not a priority. I will need to replace the plywood on both starboard and port

What is next ? August 22, 2007

I worked on the trailer extension Sunday morning for an hour and got it loose. Though I enjoy, this work is certainly tiring me out quickly. From 11:00 AM on, I slept most of Sunday.

Next Saturday I will speake to a local fab shop morning regarding a bow plate out of stainless steel. I will need to get measurement inside and out.

Will need to compose a list of items to attend to. Most likely, I will use the logs from all my former sailboats. Cupie's Craft 1967 Westerly Cirrus 22, our Morgan 300 Classic 1975, and Morgan 416 Ketch. There is no sense in reinventing the process.

I know nothing about this boat. It was like the Westerly we did no survery. Will get the titles changed over to my name.

His is going to be exhausting, but it for Chris and Cameron.

Picking up Boat - August 18, 2007

My son had planned to join me, but that did not happen. So I left after work on the 16th to drive to Nashville, in hopes that I would not need to go any further. The trip down was at night arriving a hotel at 2:30AM, with the help of the local police. At 8:00 AM on the 17th I got the call and pick up would be here.

At 11:30 AM the transfer was made and I was on the way back. The longest run was from Nashville to Knoxville. I stopped at each reststop to check the trailer. The surprise came at 6:00 PM in Wytheville, VA. The eye on the boat to hook to trailer pulled out. At the rest stop before Wytheville, there was no problem. I surmised that I had to use what I had with me. Using the straps I had, I hooked the bow cleats to the trailer and put a strap across the bow hooking to each side of trailer.

The next four hours were slow, given I did not go above 45 MPH on I-81 to Roanoke then Route 220 to 58 East.

No problems with the boat trailer. It worked with the straps. Having come thru three states over 13 hours, the only unexpected stop was three miles from the house. The local sheriff deputy patrolling pulled me over adn question why my blinkers were on and the trailer was not registered to me. I explained, and off I went to home.

Chris and Pat were there to help back the trailer into the driveway. but we have to park on a neigbhor curb. ( He came out at 2:45 to see what the noise was.)

Today when Pat returned from Raleigh, I moved to the one of our driveways.

Cost to move. $350.00

I am still tired....

Insurance, Chains, Tools - August 15, 2007

I have placed an application with BoatUS for insurance on the boat and trailer. Nationwide, my home and car insurer, would not insure on the road just in water. I had BoatUS and SeaTow on the 416 and the classic. I came in handy in a cold November a number of years ago off Solomons in the middle of the night. That story is for some other time.

So the boat insurance is $90 per year compared to the $500 we paid for the 416. The insurance is for replacement value. I bought some chains since I am not sure what we will find at pick up. And, I gathered up tools to take. Chris came over for dinner this evening and helped with sending info to the insurance company. He appears to be excited in that he will have a boat to sail soon, though he amazed how I found this boat.

The rotors on the F350 were turned, wheels rotated, oil/filter and fuel filter changed. Taking assorted tools and ropes and etc., to make me free better should problems arise.

Ok, that it for now...I hope.

Punch list for trip - August 13, 2007

As I proceed with this adventure, I plan to do a number of punch list and attempt to accomplish in a reasonable length of time. Mindful of my responsibilities at work and my goal to help as many children as possible. Then a balance has to fallen on my responsibilities, naturally.

So if I stop, it is because I am not bored, but need to focus on job while at home. Such as tonight, I needed to speak to a parent regarding a possible placement. That taken care of, I can continue

The first thing was get the truck ready. Given that it used in the business and pulls trailer, brakes wear out often. In fact at 189,000 miles we have had five sets of rotors, which have been turned 9 times. At $200 a shot for rotors and $60 for turning, that's a bite. Next an oil change. This vehicle is a F250 7.3 4x4 diesel, it takes 15 quarts every 3,000 miles. Pat does that in 5 weeks. These will be done while at work.

I need 2 inch ball for the trailer, check. Pat's business trailer uses a 3.5 inch ball. Also I need two receivers, two inch and a four inch, check. Next is a grease gun, check; a floor jack, check; a four way lug tool, check; and a larger pipe wrench, check; and a lock for the trailer, check.

So much for this evening. I need to take my nine meds and go to sleep.

Cost was absorbed by business as to work to vehicle. Would have needed anyway. But it was $400.00

Why this boat ? August 12, 2007

It was by chance this boat appeared. So I needed to do some work, that is what I enjoy. Making something out of something, if that makes sense. The money I would putting in, would not be alot (we will see) most of the stuff that I would need could be found in used areas, except the paint and other consumables. (right, who am I kidding)

Back in 1998 I met some kind folks that were traveling on a sailboat a Larry and Lin, can recall right now their last name. But he had a simple comment regarding boats.

"Well, here we are, I guess it time to leave." and they left.

Tom

Old Man Sailing, Again - August 11, 2007

Having started sailing in 1982, and having three boats in the past with the last being a Morgan 416. I would like to get back into either the Chesapeake or inland waters.

Rather than buy a cruiser that needed a slip, yard $ $ on the hard, electric and midnight runs during hurricanes. I have decided to, with Pat's permission, my pretty wife, to find a trailerable sailboat.

Finding a boat was hard for the price I wanted to pay was hard, more than two boat units into the purchase. What is a boat unit you might ask. In terms of those of us that have come to the chapels West Marine, Bacon's Sails, Boat US, etc. , one boat unit is $1,000.

So my 25 year old son is taking me on the evening of the 16th of August to meet a nice young man who is delivering a boat that I have purchased from him. We will be driving to Knoxville, Tennessee, to meet. The trip was reduce by half, rather than having to drive to Missouri. The young man is on his way back to school in Florida. Spent a little more than two units.

Thus far in my sailing career, I logged 1,600 or 66 total days sailing time on my first boat, a 22 foot Cirrus Westerly, we named Cupie's Craft, in the Mobjack Bay and the Chesapeake Bay. At that time my son, Christopher was 6 months old. Neither Pat or I knew what we were doing. Especially on our first night anchored being caught in a northeaster in Put-In-Creek off the Mobjack. After seeing that my dear friend, Steve Capo', who taught me to sail. The time came to get a bigger boat. That vessel was a Morgan Classic 300, a 30 footer. I had over 2,100 sailing hours or 87 days on that boat. It was my home for three months in the 80's when taking a job in Maryland. Pat and Chris were in our home in Williamsburg, VA. Once that home sold and we moved to Prince Frederick, Maryland. We kept this boat in Solomons, Maryland. From there we sailed the middle part of the Chesapeake. In leaving Maryland and taking a a position in Southern Virginia. I am ashamed to say that I allow the Love is Two to sink on land.

We bought the Island Gypsy, a 41 foot Morgan 416 Out Island Ketch. Lord she was beautiful. I was on the bay, even when Pat and Chris could not join me. My dear friend, Randy and I did most of our sailing at night out of Fishing Bay off the Chesapeake. On the weekend and in vacations I logged the most hours on this boat given that the amount of time available.

All good things come to an end. With the business Pat started, I needed to help. So we sold the Gypsy plus he money from the sale of WJL. Plus, we could not keep since we had limited income.

I worked with Pat in the business that is now successful for a number of years and did some substance counseling for my friend Gene as well as help my friend Kenneth in his North Carolina operation securing sites for group homes.

I took up a position working finding homes and supervising staff in a foster home operation. I enjoy the folks I work with and perhaps will stay for a number of years or perhaps not, who knows.

I would like to get back into the H2O. The immediate family members bought a trawler and at times Pat and I will enjoy. But I think, it working on a boat is what I enjoy. So I come back to where I started.

Everything is an adventure...This is the lastest. I hope to continue to document my work on this new/old vessel s that my grandson can know his PopPop other than being a old man in a chair. Also I am back where I am with my own son, who is now 25 and loves to sail....That is the real reason I am doing this. I would like his son to have the opportunity to learn the joy of being on the water with his son. I do not plan to pass up any opportunity with Chris.

I will be tracking the $ put in to this project at end of each note , just to keep things in perspective. Again, I don't plan to put alot into this effort.

Tom