January 31, 2013

Lots of weather this week:  scattered rain showers, fog, cold temperatures, strong winds and finally some warm sunshine.  Even the birds decided it would be wise to take shelter in the harbor this week, with a parade of pelicans a quarter mile long and a gathering of gulls not seen since Hitchcock filmed The Birds in Bodega Bay.  There were quite a few nice sunrises and sunsets as well.  In the midst of it all, the tall ships arrived for their annual visit and we were duly notified of the cannon fire anticipated in their forthcoming mock battle.
Meanwhile, I continued to work on the trim and paneling in the aft cabin and head, and refinished the drawer fronts.  I also decided to get a new freshwater pump since my quick fix of the old one last week didn't work and I was hoping I could find a quieter pump.  The new ShurFlo Revolution arrived only two days after ordering, so I went to work on the installation today.  I refined my ideas for vibration and noise abatement in the mounting system with good results.  The new pump is so quiet that I wasn't sure it was running the first time I turned it on.  The  old pump sounded like a muffled machine gun; the new installation sounds more like a low hum barely audible over the sound of running water.  No water or air leaks.  Joy!!

January 24, 2013

The weather was a good metaphor for the boat work this week:  several delightfully warm and sunny days were followed by dark clouds and rain coming in at the end of the week.
The teak trim around the doghouse was completed with the removal of the masking tape and things have been coming along nicely with the vanity and aft head.  They are both nearing completion and looking good. In addition, I had a nice weekend in LA with Carol.  On the way back, I stopped at H & L Marine Woodworking to get some molding and teak plywood.  Much to my dismay, I learned they are planning to close down soon as the owner passed away.  That would be a real loss because there is no other source like it.  
At the end of the week, when the rain forced me to abandon varnishing, I decided to take it as an omen that I should revisit my problem water pumps.  While everything I did went well, six hours and twenty-five dollars later, the pumps still didn't work.  And my back hurts.  A very frustrating way to end the week.