January 5, 2012

Well it's a new year.  I have to say I'm looking forward to one of the best ever.  Before I get to that, here is a list of the projects completed in 2011:

- Restored and installed the locker doors in the forward head
- Had the genoa repaired and bent on the furling headstay
- Added fiberglass inner lips to the side lockers in the cockpit to stop leaks
- Rebuilt two manual bilge pumps
- Modified and restored teak hatches on the trunk cabin
- Replaced two dorade vent cowls
- Installed portlight in cockpit lazarette side panel and re-installed it after generator removal
- Got the dinghy registration paperwork straightened out and dinghy registered
- Installed new hatches to close off existing large openings in side of cockpit
- Sanded and painted boat hook and installed mounting clips in doghouse
- Rebuilt the Skipper head in forward head
- Replumbed the drain for the sink and shower in the forward head; replumbed sink in aft head
- Wrapped the metal steering wheel rim with 1/8 inch line
- Installed three more bronze ports
- Added aluminum strips to bottom of doghouse windows to stop leaks
- Installed new PortaPotty in aft head
- Cleaned up and sold unwanted gear
- Rebuilt and repainted hydraulic helm pump
-  Repaired, polished and lacquered brass oil lamps
- After evaluating old autopilot controller and pump, purchased and installed new WH Autopilot system
- Removed and replaced section of rotten plywood liner in doghouse
- Made and installed black vinyl-covered plywood panel for mounting instruments on the overhead in the doghouse
- Wired and installed chart light, cockpit light, VHF, radar display and AIS in doghouse
- Painted the helmseat
- Made and installed a teak center hub for the steering wheel
- Refinished teak panel under helm and added a teak footrest
- Completed v-berth extension and had new cushions made using matching fabric
- Cleaned up the dinghy
- Installed new propane fireplace/cabin heater, chimney, heat guard, wiring, tank and supply hose
- Cleaned, prepped and sold house
- Modified and refinished drawers under v-berth
- Mounted PFD's under cockpit lazarette lids using velcro staps
- Installed new teak grates in cockpit sole
- Rebuilt carb on the old outboard, repaired fuel tank and got outboard running
- Built and mounted new laminated mahogany plywood transom for dinghy
- Added new grab handle next to forward companionway
- Made and installed new floorboard/rudder stock guard and autopilot guard in aft lazarette
- Replaced P.O.'s lifeline lashings with with stainless steel shackles
- Set-up second bow anchor system
- Removed and reinstalled new windlass to have defective seal replaced by factory under warranty
- Bought and built in a new microwave oven
- Rigged new outhaul for mainsail
- Dismantled and evaluated old leaking shower mixing valve in forward head and decided to replace it
- Sailed from Sacramento Delta to new home in Ventura

Whew!  On to 2012.  Most of this week was devoted to ringing in the new year and showing Carol a good time in Ventura.  Before she arrived, however, I had to fix the leaking toilet, get the oven working, and get the oil lamp working. 

We had a sumptuous dinner New Year’s Eve at the Channel Islands Yacht Club:

            Olive tapenade with baguette

            Caramelized onion soup with sage brown butter croutons

            Baby spinach salad with julienne beets, feta cheese, 

            raspberry vinaigrette dressing

            Oven roasted whitefish with white wine beurre blanc on a
            bed of spaghetti squash

            Lemon sorbet

Herb  crusted filet of beef topped with sautéed button
mushrooms and a cabernet reduction served with roasted baby vegetables and gorgonzola polenta

Roasted halved peach served with vanilla ice cream topped with amaretto, cinnamon and brown sugar drizzle

All in all, we had a delightful few days, despite Carol's cold (imported from Des Moines).

The main project after Carol left was supposed to be reinstalling the windlass.  Well, one thing led to another, and I ended up sorting out and reconfiguring my ground tackle while I could more easily access the chain lockers.  That led to lots of moving lines around, making and installing a new flexible chain pipe, measuring, splicing and shackling.  The end result is a much more usable system.  And I finally got my rare and precious cast stainless steel Danforth anchor ready to use.  I did reassemble and remount the windlass winch mechanism, but didn’t quite get to reinstalling the motor.  Tomorrow will do.  Hell, I've got a whole new year!