September 29, 2016

Hot, hot, hot!!!! Record-breaking temperatures in the area exceeded 100 degrees! Even in the marina temperatures came close to triple digits. I tried to arrange to do paperwork tasks during the hottest periods because the heat and humidity made physical work miserable. So, the week was pretty evenly divided between boat projects and paperwork. I spent a lot of time on the phone, online and running around to get official business handled. I received my Temporary Import Permit or TIP, which is essential, and printed out what is supposed to be a receipt for pre-paying for the visas for myself and two crew members. I also applied for and paid for a Mexican fishing license. Conversations with my insurance carrier resulted in my needing to get a standing rigging survey done before they will insure me in Mexico. I'm in the process of arranging that now. There's more to do, but I'm less stressed about being able to get it done.

On the project side, the bright work refinishing is nearing completion with work on the transom cap rail half way there, and I did the 250 hour engine service which required way too much boat yoga. The new sail cover is done and looks fine after some adjustments were made. Next week the boat gets hauled out for bottom paint and some other work.

Did I mention I'm exhausted?

 

September 4, 2014

I continued working on refinishing the starboard cap rail and started work on the sliding hatch for the aft cabin.  The cap rail is almost done:  I just need to wet sand it with 400 grit before applying the final coat of Cetol Gloss.  (Hopefully all the excavation going on around the marina will not cause it to be ruined by fine grit settling on it!).   Because it doesn't take the whole day to lay on a coat of Cetol on the rail, I spent part of each day working on the sliding hatch.  I've made good progress, and with luck I might finish both next week.  Then the only significant task remaining on the exterior restoration will be the stern rail.  Could there be a party in the future?

 

August 28, 2014

Amazingly, I actually took the boat out this week...albeit briefly. Carol and I took her across the channel to Smugglers Cove on Santa Cruz Island.  There was no wind...just a long south swell from a hurricane off Mexico, so we had to motor.  Despite the placid seas, Carol was afflicted with mal de mer, which was no fun. Fortunately, she recovered enough to enjoy the party on the mother ship (a DeFever 55) and was much better on the trip back the next day. We saw some dolphins, but only at a distance, and a lot of velella velella. There was just enough wind to try out the new lazy jacks.  They worked in that they controlled the main enough that I could wait to properly flake it until I was in the slip.  However, I added a couple of more lines to try to hold it on the boom more neatly.  I also resolved that, when I can afford it, I will replace some of the running rigging.  It's not that it's suspect, it's just that there are so many lines all alike and all terminating at the foot of the mast that it's tough to sort them out and keep them straight.  Color coded lines and labeled cleats will make it much easier.

After a day and half spent putting things away and cleaning up from the trip, it was back to stripping, sanding and refinishing the starboard cap rail.  For some reason it seems to be going a bit faster than the port side.  Might be because the sun has stripped a bit more of it.  With luck I might get it done next week.  Then I get to start on the stern cap rail.  Joy!