November 14, 2013

Seems the week flew by!  Finally mounted the teak chocks for the big stainless Danforth.  It was a slow and challenging job mounting the chocks where they held the anchor in the right place while allowing access from below to drive screws through holes in the cabin top into the chocks.  It was a close thing and took an entire day to drive the eight screws, but I did it.  With butyl tape squeezed between the chock and cabin top and a caulk filet around the perimeter, I expect they will be leak free for a long time to come.  Thanks to another tip from shipwright John, I tried Sika Construction Sealant 1A.  He's convinced it is Sikaflex Marine 291 with a different label and has used it successfully for years.  The specs are the same, it's recommended for underwater applications and at 1/3 the price, it's definitely worth trying.  Anyway, the anchor is now securely in place and other than details around the chain, that job is done.

With winter approaching slowly but surely, it's time to shift the focus inward.  Now that all the ports have been installed in the main cabin and the anchor chocks are done, it's time to start working on putting in a new overhead.  Before I can start on the stringers and panels, the trim on the skylights and companionway needs to be refinished and the wiring done for new recessed overhead LED lighting.  I got started on those projects this week.

Carol was up for the weekend and we had a good time visiting a new local winery, trying out new eateries and watching the sunset and old episodes of MI-5 (Carol's an addict!).  I also took Carol to a yarn shop so she could get yarn and needles to make herself some long woolen mittens.  (I used the occasion to put in a request for a hand-knit woolen watch cap.  There's always hope!)