September 11, 2014

I accomplished the things I hoped I would this week:  finished the starboard cap rail and the aft cabin hatch as well as stripped the stern rail.  In addition, I bought a Honda 1000 eu generator from a friend and ordered parts from  Beta Marine so I can do a major engine service that is due.  Once the stern rail is finished, all the exterior refinish work will be done.  After the engine service, it's time to party and do a little cruise!

 

 

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!