Maintenance Log - September

I then put the Sharp Microwave back into it’s place in the galley, and put all of the hold downs back in to keep the microwave from shifting during a passage. As a final test, I heated a cup of coffee, and it all went well.

I then went over to the shop to get to work on other projects. First on the list was to cut out some pieces of fiberglass to use to attach the battery box and the gratings in the tender.

Cutting Fiberglass Piece

The remainder of the afternoon was spent working on the spare outboard motor. Yesterday I attached the oil seal assembly to the power head. Now I attached the power head to the bottom cowling. This included neutral linkage and the throttle linkage.

Power Head And Bottom Cowling Together

Now I put together the bracket assembly. While putting all of these parts together, I am putting a silicon grease on all parts for protection, and using an anti-seize compound so I will be able to take apart the engine again without problems.

Once the bracket assembly was assembled, it was attached to the upper casing. By the time I got all of this done, Kitty had arrived at the shop, back from her trip to Lafayette. She was able to help me put the bottom cowling with the power head attached onto the upper casing with the bracket assembly attached. I verified that all six of the bolts holding the two major pieces started, and they did.

Spare Outboard Mostly Assembled

Spare Outboard Mostly Assembled

Hopefully all that remains is the lower drive, and a couple of small items, and this motor will be ready for a run and a test.

September 28, Saturday, 2013

Started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. I also spent time with our two cats, Jillian and Jordan.

Kitty got up early, and we drove over to the Farmers Market in Erath. Erath is our sister city next to Delcambre. It was a good turn out, and we purchased a few fresh vegetables and fruit, some smoked meats, and a couple of sweet treats. We came home and had a breakfast of fresh cantaloupe, smoked canadian bacon, and a fresh baked muffin.

First thing on the list is to see if the newly purchased prop for the Mercury outboard will fit. I installed the new prop with no problem, so that is an item off of the list.

New Prop On Mercury Outboard

Now I was determined to complete two items on the list with Kitty’s help. I needed to go up the main mast, and finally install the Taco spreader light. Second I wanted to drop the back stays and masthead fitting to the deck, so I could change out the hex head bolt for a carriage bolt. The head of the hex head bolt was wearing on the main halyard, and I needed to stop that. The bolt I needed to change actually holds the back stays to the main mast masthead fitting.

It took about an hour to get everything ready to do these two projects, but I was finally ready. Kitty helped me get up the main mast to the level of the spreaders, and then she hauled up the tool bucket to me. I bolted on the new Taco spreader light, and then wired it into the electrical system. Kitty went below and turned on the new light to verify operation, and it worked great. Will have to check the operation tonight when it is dark to see how well it lights up the foredeck.

Wires Sticking Out Of Starboard Main Mast Spreader

Taco Spreader Light Installed

I sent the tool bucket back down to the deck, and then I went up to the top of the mast with some wasp spray! There is a wasp nest at the top of the mast! Kitty changed the tools necessary for this project, then hauled the tool bucket up to me. I worked the pin holding the backstay fitting loose, and sent the tool bucket back down to the main deck. I kept a screw driver and hammer with me. Kitty disconnected the tool bucket from the topping lift and sent the topping lift back up to me.

I tied off the topping lift to the two backstays, and then Kitty took up tension on the topping lift. With the tension off of the backstay fitting, I was able to knock out the pin holding the backstay fitting out of the masthead fitting. Kitty then let me down the mast to the deck. Kitty let out on the topping lift while I snaked the backstays onto the deck. I was able to get the bolt and the backstay fitting disconnected from the backstays. Now I will be able to get the proper sized carriage bolt, and to clean up all of the hardware.

Backstay Fitting And Backstays Connected Together

Went to the shop and unloaded the Black Beast, and got it back into shape. I then got out my bench grinder with wire wheel and cleaned all of the parts of the backstay fitting. Now as soon as I can get the proper sized carriage bolt and square out the hole in the backstay fitting, I will be ready to put the backstays back onto the mast.

Bench Grinder With Wire Wheel To Clean Parts

I then started to put back together the spare Yamaha outboard motor, now that I had all of the parts. When I started digging around looking for the specific parts, I realized I had not cleaned all of the parts and fasteners. I kept the bench grinder out and cleaned all of the parts and fasteners.

When I finished the cleaning process, I found all of the necessary parts and attached the oil seal assembly to the power head. Now I needed to attach the power head to the bottom cowling. I was running short of time, so this will continue tomorrow.

Oil Seal Assembly On The Power Head

Bottom Cowling Ready For Installation

I then applied the second coat of varnish to the nav station chair and the third coat on the backing plate cover for the head. I applied the seventh coat of Cetol to the teak wheel on DREAM AWAY.

I left the shop and went back to DREAM AWAY, where I was presented with good news and bad news. The good news was Kitty had prepared me and adult beverage, rum and pink lemonade. The bad news was the Sharp Microwave had died.

Kitty and I removed the Sharp Microwave from its place in the galley, but could find no apparent problem. It would just not turn on, like an internal fuse or circuit breaker had popped. It will have to wait until tomorrow as I needed a shower and Kitty was preparing dinner. The Sharp Microwave was put into the garage until tomorrow.

After dinner, when it got dark, we checked the brightness of the Taco spreader light. It is amazingly bright, and uses about 1/5th of the current of my present spreader lights. The Taco spreader light uses about 6 watts, and the Hella spreader light uses 55 watts! I will see how the new light does after a storm, because of talk about leaking issues. If no problems are found, I will be ordering four more. Three for the main and mizzen spreader lights, and one for the davits on the stern.

September 27, Friday, 2013

Started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. I also spent time with our two cats, Jillian and Jordan.

Went to the shop and wiped down the nav station chair and the backing plate cover for the head with the tack rag. I then applied the first coat of varnish to the nav station chair and the second coat on the backing plate cover for the head. I applied the sixth coat of Cetol to the teak wheel on DREAM AWAY.

Went back to DREAM AWAY, to take a shower. We got ready and headed out to New Iberia, with Monica and Warren, to have lunch at Victors Cafe. After lunch we went to tour the Shadows On The Teche house. We were going to stay and watch the boat parade on Bayou Teche presented by the Sugar Cane Festival. We got information the boat parade was not going to be much this year, and Monica and Warren were tired out, so after the tour, we headed home.

September 26, Thursday, 2013

Started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. I also spent time with our two cats, Jillian and Jordan.

Went to the shop and the first item on the list was to check the PVC cap I purchased at Shannon Hardware in Morgan City yesterday. I had purchased a piece of 6” PVC pipe to use as my heat exchanger cleaning device. The problem was I could not find a cap to seal off one end.

As I was walking around Shannon Hardware on our visit there yesterday, showing Monica and Warren around, I came across the 6” PVC cap. I purchased it immediately. The good news is the cap fits the pipe, so now all I have to do is cut the pipe to the proper length, and I will have a heat exchanger cleaning device to use at any time!.

PVC Pipe And Cap

I took a look at the pump that was left for me, and was able to separate the pump from the motor. It was obvious there had been salt water allowed to get into the motor. I was able to break loose the shaft in the motor and it was able to spin, but sounds very rough.

I have spares for all of my pumps, and this model, I do not use, so I will not waste any more time on the project. I will put the pump outside the shop and someone will pick it up for use or scrap.

Motor And Pump Separated

I then got back to work on the nav station chair. The seat cover had dried, so I put the cover back on the foam.

Dried Seat Cover

Seat Cover Back On Foam

I then got busy and completed the sanding process on the nav station chair. When I finished it was ready for the first coat of varnish.

Nav Station Chair Undergoing Sanding Process

Nav Station Chair Undergoing Sanding Process

I loaded up the small varnished hatch for the mid cabin in the Black Beast, and stopped at the Port of Delcambre’s storage room to pick up the lawn mower and fuel can. I went back to the marina, and then went to DREAM AWAY for breakfast. I removed the temporary hatch in the mid cabin, and installed the freshly varnished hatch.

Freshly Varnished Hatch In Mid Cabin

New Office Chair Being Tested In Kitty’s Office

After breakfast, I trimmed the grass, and pulled weeds around the marina gardens, then mowed the grass.

I took a shower, Kitty and I had lunch, then we drove to Lafayette, for we both had doctor’s appointments.

September 25, Wednesday, 2013

Started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. I also spent time with our two cats, Jillian and Jordan.

Spent some extra time catching up on the Maintenance log and emails, and then played tourist the remainder of the day, We went with new cruisers Warren and Monica down to Berwick and Morgan City. We looked at the dock facilities they had in the area, and had lunch at Cafe JoJo’s on Front Street in Morgan City. It was a great lunch, and the ambience was wonderful.

After lunch, on the way back to Delcambre, we stopped and visited the Wedell-Williams Aviation and Cypress Sawmill Museum in Patterson, Louisiana. They were small museums, but I enjoyed them both, very interesting.

We then drove back to Delcambre. It was a very enjoyable and relaxing day.

September 24, Tuesday, 2013

Started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. I also spent time with our two cats, Jillian and Jordan.

Went to the shop and checked on the “trash compactor”. I applied the last coat of paint yesterday, and the paint had dried perfectly. I attached the carrying line to the “trash compactor” and it was ready for prime time. When I go back to DREAM AWAY, i will take the “trash compactor” with me.

Finished “Trash Compactor"

Messed about with the pump given to me by Kittie and Mark. I was able to get three of the bolts out that hold the motor to the pump, but I have three more remaining. I sprayed more Aero Kroil on the remaining bolts. Will keep at it and they will all come loose, and then I will be able to see what the problem is.

The nav station chair is at the shop while we are testing other chairs for Kitty’s office. The nav station chair is in need of a fresh coat of varnish, so I decided to get on with it.

I took the cushion off of the nav station chair, and washed it out in soap and water in the sink at the shop. I then started the sanding process. It will take a bit to get the nav station chair sanded with all of the curved and round surfaces.

Nav Station Chair Ready For Sanding Process

I loaded up some of the teak pieces that were finished and came over to DREAM AWAY. The plan was to finish the gelcoat on the floor of the tender, but it started to rain, and that stopped that plan.

In the meantime we got word another boater is coming in tomorrow and will be on pier “C”. I drove over to the Port of Delcambre’s storage room to pick up the pressure washer, and returned to the marina. Kitty had a hair appointment, so I got to work pressure washing the area of pier “C” where the new boat will be. I also washed all of the power pedestals on pier “C”.

When I finished that project, I had a shower, and Kitty returned, we then went into New Iberia to run errands.

September 23, Monday, 2013

Started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. I also spent time with our two cats, Jillian and Jordan.

Went to the shop a bit late because I slept in until 0650 this morning! I did the finish sanding on the teak piece for the backing plate in the head. The dry fit went very well yesterday. All that remained after the final sanding is to apply the dye, and then apply the Smith’s penetrating epoxy. When the Smith’s penetrating epoxy sets up, I will be able to apply the varnish.

Teak Backing Plate Cover After Final Sanding

Teak Backing Plate Cover With Dye Applied

Teak Backing Plate Cover With Smith’s Penetrating Epoxy Applied

I had an old kitty litter bucket I used in the tender to carry my sponge, bailing bucket and other accessories. It was a little worse for wear because of the UV. I decided to use a new kitty litter bucket, but I am painting it with the Rustoleum orange spray paint to see how it holds up to the UV.

Bucket With Rustoleum Orange Spray Paint Applied

I sprayed a coat of Rustoleum orange spray paint on the second side of the “trash compactor”. It is pretty much ready for prime time.

Rustoleum Orange Spray Paint On The Second Side

I worked on the grating I will be using to keep the fuel tank in the tender. I attached some stainless steel pieces to the gratings to hold the cable and locks to keep the fuel tank in the tender, and to keep the fuel tank from being stolen out of the tender.

Gratings And Hardware

Gratings With Hardware Attached

When Mark and Kittie left, they left me a pump that they said did not work. I verified the motor on the pump would not turn. I put the pump in the vise and applied Aero Kroil to all of the bolts seized up to separate the pump from the motor.

Pump In The Vise

Went over to DREAM AWAY, and prepared to apply the gelcoat to the tender decks. I found a couple of places that needed an application of finishing putty, so I did that. After the putty kicked off, I sanded it all down and the wiped down the whole area with Acetone. I then masked off the areas where the gelcoat is to be applied. I mixed up a batch of gelcoat and applied it to the tender transom, and to the port side deck. I mixed a smaller second batch and started application to the starboard deck, but the rain came and halted progress.

Decks Masked Off In Tender

Gelcoat Applied To Tender Transom

Gelcoat Applied To Port Deck, Incomplete Starboard Deck

When it got serious about the rain I went back to the shop and applied the fifth coat of varnish to the interior teak pieces, the first coat of varnish to the backing plate cover, and the fifth coat of Cetol to the teak wheel on DREAM AWAY.

September 22, Sunday, 2013

Started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. I also spent time with our two cats, Jillian and Jordan.

Went over to the shop and sanded on the teak piece to cover the backing plate in the head. Got it all finished to take over to DREAM AWAY, and try a dry fit.

Teak Piece Just Out Of The Jury Rig Clamps

Teak Piece Sanded And Ready For Dry Fit

Just had to put a photo of the pipe clamps and the pipes in the Maintenance Log.

Newly Purchased Pipe Clamps With Attached Galvanized Pipe

I had purchased a new can of Rustoleum orange spray paint yesterday on one of the errands, and I sprayed a coat of paint on one side of the “trash compactor”.

“Trash Compactor” With Coat Of Spray Paint

Sanded the teak interior pieces and the ships wheel in preparation of the varnish and Cetol application. As it turned out, I did not make the application today.

I put the SeaScooter back together after making another attempt to get to the motor and gearing in the unit. It still sounds like a thrashing machine, so I will try the water test again and run it until the battery runs down.

SeaScooter Back Together

Next item was to remove the pump on the Blender Blaster that had come apart. I need to get a new one before I can use the Blender Blaster again. Just a not here, it appears the Blender Blaster company has ceased to exist, as the original URL does not work.

Blender Blaster Getting Parts Removed

Went back to DREAM AWAY and sanded down the deck in the tender. I had applied the finishing putty day before yesterday, and it needed sanded before I apply the gelcoat to the deck.

Deck In Tender Before Sanding

Next on the list was an inside DREAM AWAY project. It could be a long story, but lets just say, I need to cut into the main cabin overhead and install different backing plates for the boom gallows supports. While I was cutting into the overhead, I also needed to apply the expandable Great Stuff foam between the overhead and the fiberglass liner. This will cut down on condensation problems in the future.

Ever Expanding Great Stuff Foam In Overhead Cut Out

Bolts And New PVC Backing Plates Installed

Since I was In the overhead of the main cabin, I also sprayed the Great Stuff foam around where the main sheet winch used to be installed.

Great Stuff Foam “Leaking” Out Of Hole

Hole Covered With Finished Teak Piece

Fitted new piece of teak to cover backing plate in located in head. Used cardboard to plot location of bolts to drill holes in the teak cover. Got the holes drilled, and the teak piece dry fitted.

Teak Piece Dry Fitted Over Backing Plate

September 21, Saturday, 2013

Up and at ‘em at 0430, and at the Shrimp Festival Grounds at 0500, in the amazingly pouring rain. My job was to help direct traffic for the Delcambre Seafood and Farmers Market. It was not a good start, but the rain finally stopped around 0800, and we had a surprisingly good turn out for the market.

Kitty showed up at 0730, and we worked at the market as volunteers until 1330. We went back to DREAM AWAY, had a nap, and then finished out the day with computer work and catch up. No DREAM AWAY projects today.

September 20, Friday, 2013

Started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. I also spent time with our two cats, Jillian and Jordan.

Before going over to the shop this morning, I raked in the garden at the marina. There are a couple of small hills of left over dirt that are not fun trying to mow around, so I am slowly trying to get them smoothed out and the weeds removed, so a nice green ground cover will grow.

I then went over to the shop with a roll of wax paper. The first thing I did because of the threat of rain was to roll my table saw out of the shop to the driveway and cut the Structoglas piece to be used in the after cabin.

Structoglas Cut And Laying On Table Saw

Since I had no pipe clamps, I came up with a jury rig to fabricate the side to the teak piece I am using in the head to cover a turning block backing plate.

Dry Fit Of The Teak Piece

When I was satisfied the clamping system I was using would work, I mixed up a batch of epoxy resin, and applied it to all of the pieces and clamped it up. It made me determined to purchase a set of pipe clamps.

Epoxy Resin Applied to Teak Piece, and Clamped Up

I left the shop and went back to DREAM AWAY. I applied a layer of finishing putty to the fiberglass I applied earlier to the deck of the tender. This will help smooth out the deck in preparation of the application of gelcoat.

We then went to lunch at Shuck’s in Abbeville with our newly arrived cruisers Warren and Monica. After a fabulous lunch we ran a bunch of errands in Abbeville and New Iberia. I purchased the pipe clamps at an Ace Hardware (Handyman Hardware) store in New Iberia.

September 19, Thursday, 2013

Started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. I also spent time with our two cats, Jillian and Jordan.

Went over to the shop and sanded down the teak piece for the head, the cutting board, and the battery box top. All three pieces looked good. The cutting board was ready to go back to DREAM AWAY, the teak piece for the head was ready to finish the fabrication process, and the battery box top was ready for the application of gelcoat.

Finished Teak Piece

Finished Cutting Board

Finished Battery Box Top

Now that the battery box top was finished, the actual battery box was also finished it was time to apply gelcoat to both pieces. I had purchased a new supply of gelcoat, but it did not have wax (Styrene) in it. What this means is the gelcoat will never cure, so the wax must be added to have the gelcoat cure in air.

You must play the game of amounts! the normal mixture with gelcoat, and polyester resin is a 2% mixture ratio of hardener (MEKP), and the same with the wax. The fun you get to play with, is working times and temperature. Anyway, I mixed up a gelcoat batch with 2% of hardener, and about 3% of the wax and applied it to the battery box and the battery box top.

Battery Box And Top Before Gelcoat Application

Battery Box And Top After Gelcoat Application

I needed to cut some pieces of teak wood to finish fabrication of the cover for the backing plate in the head. I cut a couple of pieces using the table saw, and then did the finish cutting with my new Evolution Rage III compound miter saw.

Evolution Rage III Compound Miter Saw After Cut

Dry Fit Of Fabricated Teak Piece For Head

I applied the fourth coat of varnish to the interior teak pieces, and the fourth coat of Cetol to the teak wheel on DREAM AWAY. I also applied the fourth coat of orange paint to the “trash compactor”, and the third coat of orange paint to the outboard cover.

I went back to the marina, and did some raking of rocks with a borrowed garden rake. I then took the pressure washer out to the end of Pier “C”, and cleaned the end of Pier “C”. We have a 56’ Grand Harbor cruising yacht coming in this afternoon, and wanted the dock as free of bird deposits as possible.

We welcomed two cruisers, Warren and Monica to the marina. They are from New Zealand, have purchased a US flagged yacht, and are on their way to do the Great Loop. They had had a long day so we presented them with the Welcome Basket, and left them to get settled. They will probably stay with us for at least a week.

Monica & Warren With Welcome Basket

I went back over to the Port of Delcambre’s storage room to return the pressure washer and fuel, then I went to the shop. I wanted to epoxy the three newly cut boards to the piece of teak. I discovered I did not have any wax paper at the shop. I use the wax paper under the pieces I epoxy so the epoxy resin will not adhere to the workbench. Had to put that off until tomorrow.

September 18, Wednesday, 2013

Started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. I also spent time with our two cats, Jillian and Jordan.

Went over to the shop and got to work on one of the ABUS locks that does not work properly. I am hoping I can free up the inside mechanism. ABUS does offer a repair service, but it costs more than a new lock. I actually have two locks that are not working properly.

ABUS Lock On Work Bench

I got out the remaining piece of Structoglas I had in the shop, and laid out the template made from yesterday, and marked up the Structoglas. I cut out the piece that will go on the overhead of the head.

Cutting Out The Structoglas

I got out the battery box lid and sanded it all down to be smooth as possible. I will be applying some Marine-Tex to the battery box top to finish out the top completely. I have some Marine-Tex, but it is old, and I do not know if it is any good. After I apply the Marine-Tex, and it sets up I will know if it is useable repairing some small places on DREAM AWAY. When I finish with the battery box top, I will apply gelcoat to the battery box and the top.

Sanded Battery Box Top

Next project is to finish applying epoxy resin to a piece of teak I had fabricated to cut covers for the main cabin, and aft cabin. I now need a piece of teak to build a backing plate cover in the head, under the deck. I also need to repair a cutting board from the galley sink, that is starting to delaminate. Working on both at the same time, I only need to mix one batch of epoxy resin.

Cutting Board To Be Repaired

Teak Piece To Finish

I dry fitted the teak piece to make sure I had all of the clamps and other pieces necessary. The fun is, I need to apply the epoxy resin, then make sure all of the individual pieces of teak are flat, then squeezed together to make one piece of teak. So I am working on two planes, and you do not want to squeeze the pieces together too hard, and squeeze all of the epoxy resin out. As you can see, it is an interesting solution. I really need some pipe clamps to do the job properly.

To repair the cutting board, I need to drill into the two pieces and insert wooden dowels. For dowels, I use chopsticks! I have used this method several times on wood repairs on DREAM AWAY. I drilled the holes in the two pieces, then I had to do a dry fit. That is putting all of the pieces together in the vise.

Here again I am working on two planes. I also had to use two pieces of Formica and backing plates for the Formica to act as dams. I did not want epoxy resin running all over the place.

I mixed up a batch of epoxy resin and went to work on the teak piece, then did the cutting board. It all went amazingly well.

Teak Piece Clamped On Two Planes

Lead Bar On Top Of Wooden Hand Screw Clamp

Cutting Board In Vise With Epoxy Resin Applied

Cutting Board In Vise With Epoxy Resin Applied

Left the shop and went by the Port of Delcambre’s storage room and loaded the lawn mower and gasoline jug into the Black Beast, and went to DREAM AWAY.

After breakfast Kitty and I made a template for another piece of Structoglas to be fitted in the aft cabin, just forward of the newly installed Structoglas covering the davit and cleat backing plates in the aft cabin.

We also made another template for a Structoglas piece for the head that will go around the backing plate cover I am fabricating.

I then went out and weeded the marina gardens, and trimmed around the grass yards. Then I cut the grass inside the marina and the two areas of grass just outside the marina fence. When that was finished, I took the lawn mower and gasoline jug back to the the Port of Delcambre’s storage room, then I went to the shop.

Did not have very much time in the shop, but did notice the epoxy resin had set up on the teak piece and the cutting board, so the efforts there successful.

I then left and went to the Shrimp Festival grounds to help set up and mark the booths for this weekend’s Delcambre Seafood and Farmers Market. We are all looking forward to the market, but the prediction is lots of rain, so I think spirits will be dampened!.

September 17, Tuesday, 2013

Started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. I also spent time with our two cats, Jillian and Jordan.

Went over to the shop and got to work sanding on the battery box and the battery box top. I got the top pretty smoothed out, and the box bottom sanded smooth. I actually put the battery in the new box, and dropped on the lid, it fit.

Battery Inside Battery Box

Battery Box With Top

I will have to drill a hole in the side of the box for the cables, and I have to do at least one application of finishing putty on the battery box top, and the box will be ready for installation in the tender.

Back to DREAM AWAY, and did the template for the overhead in the head. I want to cut a piece of Structoglas to put on the overhead and finish the head off nicely. Also measured the size of the backing plate in the head that will need to be covered with a finished piece of teak.

Overhead In Head To Be Covered With Structoglas

Backing Plate In Head To Be Covered

I also sanded down the fiberglass I applied to the deck of the tender. This is in preparation of applying some finishing putty to the deck to smooth out some rough spots, then I will apply some gelcoat.

While on DREAM AWAY, I ordered the parts necessary for the assembly of the spare Yamaha outboard motor. I also ordered a new prop for my 6 HP mercury outboard. For whatever reason, one of the blades on the prop broke off, so it needed to be replaced.

I went back to the shop and got out the remaining piece of Structoglas, and using the template, marked off the piece I will need for the overhead in the head.

Structoglas Marked Off, Ready For Cut

I mixed up a couple of batches of the finishing putty, and applied the putty to the battery box top.

Battery Box Top With Finishing Putty Applied

I got out the can of Rustoleum orange spray paint and finished covering the one barrel and top to be used on the aft deck. I used the last of the spray paint to put the last coat on one of the outboard covers. I brought the painted barrel back to DREAM AWAY, and put it on the aft deck. This will be the way to test the paint with the elements.

Freshly Painted Barrel On Aft Deck

I applied the third coat of varnish to the interior teak pieces, and the third coat of Cetol to the teak wheel on DREAM AWAY. I also applied the third coat of orange paint to the “trash compactor”.

September 16, Monday, 2013

Started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. I also spent time with our two cats, Jillian and Jordan.

Went over to the shop and got to work sanding on the battery box and the battery box top. I did some cutting and sanding on the top to get all of the sides and edges looking square. The actual battery box looked very good after yesterdays application of the polyester resin. I had to do a little touch on the box, to get a couple of rough edges smoothed out.

I then cut out a piece of spare fiberglass to make the bottom of the battery box. I got the bottom piece dry fitted to the battery box.

Battery Box Top Ready For Mash Mix Application

Battery Box Bottom Ready For Mash Mix Application

I then mixed up a batch of mash mix to apply to the battery box top, and the inside of the battery box to adhere the bottom piece of fiberglass to the battery box.

Mixing The Mash Mix

Mash Mix Applied To Battery Box Top

Mash Mix Applied To Battery Box Bottom

Next I started in on the SeaScooter. I took the unit apart as much as I could without being destructive, but could not get into the motor or gear housing. I got the unit mostly back together, which was good. I did not want to get too heavy handed with the SeaScooter, so I stopped working on it for the day.

Tomorrow I will put the unit completely back together and verify the operation. I will then do the bucket of water think again. If that all works, I will see if I can “cheat” the on/off switches, and leave the unit running in the water until the battery runs down. If I can do that a couple of times, and the motor mechanism does not sound any worse, it could be the “thrashing machine sound” is the way it is supposed to be.

Next I decided to get to work putting together the spare outboard. I really wanted to get that project off of the list.

I started to put the power head onto the bottom cowling, but I did not have the proper gasket! I was really surprised, as I thought I had ordered all of the parts for the assembly of the spare outboard. I will have to get the gasket ordered ASAP.

I decided to put the bracket assembly and the upper casing together, so that would all be ready when the needed gasket arrived. Foiled again! I was missing one of the upper side damper mounts (58) in the bracket assembly drawing.

Now I had to get two parts ordered to get any of the spare motor back together.

I applied the second coat of varnish to the interior teak pieces, and the second coat of Cetol to the teak wheel on DREAM AWAY. I also applied the second coat of orange paint to the “trash compactor” and the two outboard covers.

September 15, Sunday, 2013

Started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. I also spent time with our two cats, Jillian and Jordan.

Went over to the shop and got to work on the spare air conditioner. I thought I had the wires sorted out to get the digital control to work, but I could not. It could be the control is bad, and will never work, The good news is the spare air conditioner works, and I have a spare in case my new unit dies. The spare is stored in the shop, but on my next trip to Atlanta, I will take the unit there for storage until needed.

Spare Air Conditioner In The Shop

I then started in on sanding the battery box parts for the tender. I cut the bottom of the box so that it was even, and sanded off the side of the box. There are some fiberglass fibers stick out on the side of the battery box, so I will apply a layer of straight polyester resin to the sides, to smooth out the sides.

I cut the pieces to the end of the top, and will mix a pot of polyester resin mash mix to “glue” the ends on the battery box top.

I also cut pieces of the fiberglass grating so I could fabricate a long piece of grating to support the fuel tank in the tender.

When I got all of the pieces cut and sanded, I dry fit all of the pieces I was going to put together, I mixed a patch of polyester resin, and applied it to the sides of the battery box.

Polyester Resin Applied To The Battery Box

When I finished applying the straight resin, I then added the cabosil to the polyester resin to make the mash mix to complete this days work on the battery box. I dry fit the ends to the battery box lid, then applied the mash mix to complete the battery box lid.

Dry Fit Of Battery Box Top

Battery Box Lid With Mash Mix Applied

I then used the mash mix to put together the pieces for the grating assembl.

Grating Together With Mash Mix

Next on my list was to get to work on the SeaScooter Stacy had sent to me to test several weeks ago. I got the unit out and ran it to be sure the battery in the unit was up. It ran just fine, but still sounded like a thrashing machine.

SeaScooter On Work Bench

I decided to fill one of my barrels with water, and submerge the SeaScooter in the barrel and see if it worked partially underwater. When the barrel was 3/4’s filled with water, I put the SeaScooter in the barrel and started it. It definitely moved water! Once it splashed the excess water out of the barrel, I was able to go to the high speed. I ran it for about 30 seconds.

When I took the unit out of the water and ran the propeller, it still sounds like a thrashing machine. I will let the unit dry off, and tomorrow I will see how to get to the electric motor and the gear box if there is one. It sounds like there is a lack of grease or lubricant in the propeller driving mechanism. I will let you know how it goes with the testing.

Last projects for the morning was painting. There is a new color scheme coming on DREAM AWAY, it will be green and orange. Because of that, the “trash compactor” and the two outboard covers are being painted orange, and I applied the first coat of orange paint.

Orange Paint Applied To “Trash Compactor” & Outboard Cover

I also applied the first coat of varnish to the interior teak pieces, and the first coat of Cetol to the teak wheel on DREAM AWAY.

Suspended Teak Wheel After Cetol Application

I left the shop, and stopped by the Port of Delcambre’s storage room and picked up the pressure washer, and went back to the marina.

I moved the tender from the dock and put it back into the water in the slip next to DREAM AWAY. I then started up the pressure washer, and completed the cleaning of “A” dock and all of the power pedestals.

I then removed the “Hummer Grill” from the davits, and took it up to the parking lot. I used the pressure washer and thoroughly cleaned the grill. It took well over an hour, because of the rain storms. When the rain clouds would come over, I put the pressure washer away into the Black Beast, then ran for DREAM AWAY. When the rain clouds passed, I started over with the pressure washing project.

When the first rain cloud was coming, I also pulled the tender out of the water and back onto the dock so I can do the work with the fuel tank and battery box. I did not want the tender to get filled with water, and make it difficult for me to get the tender out of the water.

September 14, Saturday, 2013

Started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. I also spent time with our two cats, Jillian and Jordan.

An off day today, no work done on DREAM AWAY projects today. We went to the Lydia Food Festival in Lydia, Louisiana. We enjoyed some of the food, but we went with our friends Bonnie and Joel to see and admire the older cars on display from the 50’s and 60’s. Great fun.

We came back and watched the Texas Aggies lose to the Alabama Crimson Tide. It was a good game, but tough because we lost.

September 13, Friday, 2013

Started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. I also spent time with our two cats, Jillian and Jordan.

Went over to the shop and changed the blade on the table saw to the fiberglass cutting blade. I then rolled the table saw out of the shop onto the driveway.

I cut the fiberglass grating so I could use some of the parts as a stand for the fuel tank in the tender. I also cut off a piece of the fiberglass rectangular tube I have to be used for the battery box in the tender. I then cut up a piece of fiberglass so I can use some parts to make a top to the battery box.

I am going through all of this effort so I can lock the battery and the fuel tank to the tender. This will serve as security and will keep all of the parts with the tender should the tender turn over. This has happened twice, so there is no reason it could not happen again.

Cut Grating

Cut Battery Box Parts

Cut Pieces For Battery Box Top

Checking Cut Grating Pieces To Fuel Tank

I then fitted the two battery box top halves together to make sure they would fit. I mixed up a batch of polyester resin mash mix, and used the mash mix to hold the two pieces together. When the mash mix sets up, I will glass a layer of mat to the inside of the battery box top.

Battery Box Top Pieces Fitted Together

Battery Box Top Pieces With Mash Mix Applied

The Smith’s penetrating epoxy I had applied to all of the teak pieces and the “trash compactor” yesterday had dried. I sanded all of the pieces down with 220 grit sandpaper, and got them set up for the varnish application. I also got the wheel sanded and ready for the application of the Cetol.

Teak Pieces Sanded And Ready For Varnish Application

Mid Cabin Hatch Sanded And Ready For Varnish Application

Wheel Sanded And Ready For Cetol Applicatio.

Before leaving the shop I spent some more time figuring out the wiring for the digital control on the spare air conditioner. I think I might be getting close to a resolution.

Spare AC Power Control.

Went back to DREAM AWAY to shower and get cleaned up. We had a lunch date, and then ran some errands. Arrived back at DREAM AWAY, and made a wonderful four banana daiquiri.

September 12, Thursday, 2013

Started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. I also spent time with our two cats, Jillian and Jordan.

Went over to the shop first thing. I put the countersink into the drill press and smoothed out the holes I had drilled into the stainless steel plates yesterday.

Plates With Countersunk Hole

I made sure all of the teak pieces were dry and smooth, and then applied an a very thick coat of Smith’s penetrating epoxy to all of the teak pieces. I also applied an ample second coat to the “trash compactor”.

Teak Pieces Ready For Smith’s Penetrating Epoxy Application

Smith’s Penetrating Epoxy Applied To “Trash Compactor”

Smith’s Penetrating Epoxy Applied To Teak Pieces

Next project is to test a spray paint from Rustoleum that is supposed to work on plastic. I keep two 10 gallon plastic buckets on the stern of DREAM AWAY for trash and other storage. The sun with the UV takes a toll on the buckets. I am going to try this paint on the buckets and some other plastic items. Specifically I am going to try it on the manual bilge pump I keep in the tender.

Paint Test - First Pass

Went back to DREAM AWAY, and had breakfast. We then took a drive to the new facility being built by the Port Of Delcambre. It will be wonderful when finished, and I am going to try and go by at least once a week to keep a pictorial history of the construction.

Dredging Out For Piers And Boat Launch

We drove back to DREAM AWAY, and I did a fitting of the stainless steel plates that fit on the front of the boom gallows. I will be welding 1” pipe onto the plates for the fabrication of the hard dodger. I wanted to verify fit before I start the welding.

Starboard Side Plate Fit

Now I started the repairs in the tender. I cut out the fiberglass to repair the cracks in the deck of the tender on both the port and starboard side. I also removed some hardware from the transom so I could brush on some polyester resin. The fiberglass fibers are exposed on some of the transom.

Dry Fit Fiberglass On Port Deck In Tender

Hardware Removed From Transom

When everything was cut and dry fitted, I mixed up a batch of polyester resin and applied it to the fiberglass. I mixed small batches of the polyester resin because I was working in the afternoon sun, and did not want the polyester resin to kick off before I had applied it to the fiberglass. I was successful, and got all of the fiberglass saturated with the polyester resin, with no problems. I also wiped down the exposed fibers on the transom with the polyester resin.

Decks In The Tender With Saturated Fiberglass

With that complete, I loaded up all of the gear into the Black Beast, and went back to the shop. The Smith’s penetrating epoxy had nearly set up, so I know all of the teak pieces will be ready for sanding and varnish tomorrow.

I also did some searching and measuring for fiberglass parts that I can use for the battery box and fuel tank in the tender. The plan is to move the battery and fuel tank as far forward as possible in the tender, and put security fittings for the fuel tank and battery box so they can be locked and made secure.

I also check the paint application on the plastic parts I had painted in the morning. The application went very well, so I cleaned all of the unpainted parts of the bucket and lid with acetone. Tomorrow I will complete the painting of the buckets for the aft deck.

September 11, Wednesday, 2013

Started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. I also spent time with our two cats, Jillian and Jordan.

A moment of silence for all the folks who lost their lives in the 9-11 tragedy.

Caught up on emails, scanning in documents, and financial stuff.

Kitty had to go to Lafayette to see a doctor about a sleep study. I stayed on DREAM AWAY as it was time to clean out all of the raw water strainers and manifold. I cleaned out the main strainer for the manifold (Sea Chest), and the manifold (Sea Chest). Also cleaned out the strainers for the ice maker cooling pump, the refrigeration cooling pump and the forward air conditioner cooling pumps. During this cleaning process, I also cleaned out the hoses for all of the cooling pumps using high pressure water from the dock.

When I finished that project, I pulled the tender out of the water and onto the dock, so I could do some repairs on it. I will let it dry out, and then start the repairs tomorrow.

Tender On Dock Next To DREAM AWAY

Deck Inside Tender Where Repairs Are Needed

Transom On Tender That Needs Repair

I was picked up by T-Boy, the marina dockmaster, and we drove into New Iberia to pick up 40 boxes of bags for the Delcambre Seafood and Farmers Market. We stored all of the boxes in the Port of Delcambre’s storage room.

I then went over to my shop to make some progress on some of my projects. I finished sanding all of the pieces of teak I had removed from the main cabin overhead, the aft cabin overhead, the head overhead, and the small hatch from the deck in the mid cabin. I blew all of the pieces off with air, then wiped them all down with acetone. I then wiped down all of the pieces with the “agent orange” dye.

Teak Pieces Ready For Dye Application

Applying Dye To Mid Cabin Hatch

Dye Applied To All Teak Pieces

I had done two templates for the plates I need as the base plates for the frame of the hard dodger on the boom gallows. I got out the chop saw, and cut the two pieces, from some 3” stainless steel ¼” flat bar. After the pieces were cut, I used the drill press and drilled the required holes.

Setting Up Cut In The Chop Saw

Set Up In Drill Press

I closed up the shop and went back to DREAM AWAY. I checked the fit of the two plates, and it looks like it will be a nice fit. Now I am ready for further progress on the hard dodger project.

Time for a shower and an adult beverage.

September 10, Tuesday, 2013

Started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. I also spent time with our two cats, Jillian and Jordan.

I accompanied Kitty to her kidney doctor in Lafayette. On the way back home I stopped at Aluminum & Stainless in Broussard to pick up some 90 degree ells for the hard dodger and aft latter project.

When we returned to DREAM AWAY, we had lunch, and I changed into work clothes. I put the tender into the water and moved it into an empty slip next to DREAM AWAY. I removed everything from the inside of the tender. I have some repairs to accomplish on the tender, and I must glass in a battery box and some tie downs for the fuel tank.

I then helped our friend Hollis with a problem he was having with one of his main engines. I discovered the source of the leaking fuel problem, but did not know enough about the engine to repair the problem. Hollis is going to call Chad of C & J diesel to repair the problem.

I then went over to the shop and serviced all of the ABUS locks. I cleaned them off, and then lubricated them thoroughly. I found two that were not working properly, and will have to be sent off for repair.

September 09, Monday, 2013

Started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. I also spent time with our two cats, Jillian and Jordan.

First thing in the morning, I caught up with emails and other computer related items. Kitty and I then drove into New Iberia so Kitty could have her Renal Ultrasound and bloodwork. We then ate lunch in New Iberia and returned to DREAM AWAY.

On the way back to DREAM AWAY we stopped by Port of Delcambre’s storage room and loaded the lawn mower and fuel. Spent the remainder of the day mowing the grass, trimming grass and weeding the gardens at the marina.

I took all of the ABUS locks, except for one new one, off of DREAM AWAY, and took them to the shop when I returned the mower to the Port of Delcambre’s storage room. I put all of the lock in a tub of gasoline to clean all of the locks. They are very good locks, but need to be cleaned and lubricated periodically.

September 08, Sunday, 2013

Started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. I also spent time with our two cats, Jillian and Jordan.

I stayed on the boat today as a catch up day. Had to catch up on financial issues, had a lot of documents to scan into the computer, and even took some time reading.

We did some rearranging of Kittys office, by moving her big chair to the main cabin, and putting a folding chair in the mid-cabin for her office. We are experimenting with this to see how the comfort level is for her. If she stays with the folding chair, we will get a cushion, to add to the comfort. The big chair will go on the block, and the original nav station chair will come back. Time will tell.

Kitty’s New Office Chair

Big Chair Moved To Nav Station

Around 1700, I took off with my neighbor on his boat, the LORAINE D. He needed to get his boat to the De Hart in Abbeville, and needed some help with the trip, so I volunteered. It poured rain as we were about to leave, so we waited for the rain to pass. It was a nice trip down the Delcambre Canal to the GIWW, then west to the Vermillion River, then up the river to Abbeville.

Waving Goodbye To Kitty

Underway Down The Delcambre Canal

Going Up The Vermillion River

September 07, Saturday, 2013

Started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. I also spent time with our two cats, Jillian and Jordan.

Went over to the shop, and started in sanding all of the teak pieces removed from from DREAM AWAY yesterday. I finished sanding several of the pieces, but I will have to repair one of them.

Teak Pieces Being Sanded

Headed back to DREAM AWAY, and on the way stopped by the Port of Delcambre’s storage room and loaded the pressure washer into the Black Beast.

Had breakfast, then spent an hour and a half pressure washing Pier “A”. I cleaned the aluminum dock and the power pedestals until the pressure washer ran out of gas.

I took a measurement for the bolt pattern on the front of the boom gallows, for the base piece of the hard dodger.

Kitty had to run an errand so she dropped me off at the shop with the pressure washer, which I took back to the Port of Delcambre’s storage room.

I mixed up a pot of epoxy resin and repaired the small teak hatch that was coming apart. This teak hatch is in the floor of the mid cabin. I put the epoxy resin on and in the hatch, then clamped it up until the epoxy resin sets up.

Teak Hatch With Epoxy Resin And Clamps

Since completing the hose project on DREAM AWAY yesterday, I had a short piece of ¾” hose to attach to my spare air conditioner, which I did. I got a bucket of water, dumped the inlet and outlet hoses into the bucket, primed the pump, and turned the unit on. It worked wonderfully. I still have a problem with mismatched controls, but I am going to give that problem one more shot.

Spare Air Conditioner Working On Bench

When Kitty finished her errand, she picked me up at the shop and we went back to DREAM AWAY.

I had one thing with which I wanted to experiment. We have several of the ABUS locks onboard DREAM AWAY. One lock got the combination screwed up, and I could not open the lock. A friend had lost one of the locks, so we needed a couple of new ones.

A deal came up at a very good price, with an additional 10% off, so we purchased three of the locks, and they arrived this week.

One thing I have always wanted to do is see how hard it would be to cut one of these locks open. I got out my 36” bolt cutters, and gave it a go. It was not easy. Just grabbing the bolt cutters, and squeezing the jaws shut would not do it. I had to put one handle on the floor and press down on the other handle to be able to cut through the hasp on the lock. I am pleased that these lock will keep most petty thieves away from our stuff.

Bolt Cutters With Good Lock

Bolt Cutters Cutting Into The Lock

Bolt Cutters With Cut Lock

September 06, Friday, 2013

Started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. I also spent time with our two cats, Jillian and Jordan.

After breakfast, went out on deck and finished the hose project by getting both anchors and all of the chain, washed off, and into the anchor locker. A slow go, as it took two hours this morning.

When I finished this project, we went out to run errands, including stops at Stine’s and Winn-Dixie.

When we came back, I went over to the shop, and unloaded all of the teak wood pieces I put in the Black Beast yesterday. I will start the sanding process tomorrow.

Teak Wood Pieces Set Out And Ready To Sand

There is the small teak hatch from the mid cabin that needs to be repaired, and it will be started tomorrow.

I checked out the application of the JB Weld to the exhaust manifold of the spare outboard. It looked pretty good, but had sunk a small bit in the large holes. I mixed up another small batch of JB Weld, and applied it to the exhaust manifold. I will check on it tomorrow.

JB Weld Applied To The Exhaust Manifold

While at Stine’s today, I purchased paint to apply to the two outboard motor covers, and the “trash compactor”.

Two Outboard Motor Covers

September 05, Thursday, 2013

Started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. I also spent time with our two cats, Jillian and Jordan.

This morning I went over to the shop, and started in on the spare outboard motor. I mixed up a batch of JB Weld. I applied some to the outboard motor cover that had several holes in it. I also applied some to the broken spots I had found on the exhaust manifold.

JB Weld Applied To Engine Cover

JB Weld Applied To Exhaust Manifold

I worked on some boxes of office supplies that I had brought from Atlanta. I will be keeping some of the supplies, but giving most of them away.

I left the shop and went back to DREAM AWAY. The project for the day was to run a hose for the raw water washdown system. While waiting to get Kitty’s help, I removed various teak covers in the main cabin, head and aft cabin. I will be taking these to the shop, stripping them all down, applying Smith’s penetrating epoxy, then the agent orange dye, and finally applying varnish. I want to get all of the interior trim approximately the same color and look.

The raw water washdown hose had to be run through the chain locker, and I could not do it with the anchor chain in the locker. I had to remove all of the chain!! So I ran all the chain out for both anchors, off of the front of the boat into the Delcambre Canal mud.

To run the new hose, I first disconnected the short piece of hose from the old hose, the taped the remaining old hose to the new hose to have a ‘messenger’. Of course I used duct tape! (Shades of Red Green!) WIth Kitty’s help, I was able to pull the new hose through the middle cabin, the forward cabin, and into the chain locker.

I connected one end of the new hose to the deck outlet, and the other to the pump. I started the pump, and all worked as designed. There were no leaks.

Chain Locker Half Empty

Chain Locker Empty

New Hose Attached To Underside Of Deck Fitting In Chain Locker

New Hose Coming Out Of Forward Cabin Into The Chain Locker

The last item to complete the project is to put the chain back into the chain locker. This is a good news / bad news situation. I good news is that I have my fine Lighthouse 1501 windlass to bring the chain up. The bad news is that all the chain (400 feet on the primary, and 350 feet on the secondary) is now caked with mud.

I started working on the primary chain, bringing it up ever so slowly, and washing it off with dock water from a hose as it came up. I did not finish the primary chain, because a storm came up with bunches of rain, and ran me down below. It was already 1730, so I called it a night, and took a shower. I will finish the anchor chains tomorrow.

September 04, Wednesday, 2013

Started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee. I have been doing another thing to add to the morning ritual. I spend between 15 to 20 minutes playing with and brushing our two cats, Jillian and Jordan.

This morning I went over to the shop after breakfast. I unloaded the Black Beast of all of the pieces of wood I had over on DREAM AWAY, so I could work on the hide hole project in the aft cabin.

I then worked on putting all of the parts I had stripped off of the spare outboard powerhead. Even after so much time away from that project, I was able to get all of the parts back on the powerhead. I did not have to search for the required bolts because I had taped the bolts to each part when I took it off the power head.

Assembling The Power Head

Power Head Complete Right Side

Power Head Complete Left Side

Straightened up the shop and then drove over to DREAM AWAY. I had the forward hatch to finish with installation of the hatch security devices. I got out all of the required tools, and parts. Did the measurements on the hatch base, and then drilled the holes.

I measured the carbon fiber arrows, and the welding rods, and installed them in the hatch base. This idea will certainly keep the average intruder out of DREAM AWAY. If we are at anchor, and someone tries to enter the boat, we will have enough time to take corrective action.

Hatch Security Devices Installed On Forward Hatch

That project is finished, but will have to look into adding the same devices to the Lewmar hatches in the main salon and aft cabin.

I cleaned up the tool and parts from the project, and took all of the excess out to the Black Beast. Kitty is coming home tonight, so did the vacuum the boat thing, fresh sheets on the aft cabin bunk, and general spruce up.

Will go into Abbeville tonight for the Marine Corps League monthly meeting, and then drive into Lafayette to pick up Kitty.

September 03, Tuesday, 2013

Started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee.

Did not go to the shop this morning, but stayed on DREAM AWAY. I went up to the Black Beast and brought down all of the small pieces of wood I had in the shop and loaded into the Black Beast yesterday.

I had rolled up the cut piece of Structoglas and stored it in the forward cabin, so after removing the mattress from the aft cabin bunk, I brought the piece of Structoglas to the aft cabin and unrolled it. I placed the piece of Structoglas up to the overhead in the aft cabin. With all of the wood pieces I had, and I had to “adjust” a couple of pieces, I was able to support the piece of Structoglas.

Starboard Side Supported

Port Side Supported

Now that I had the piece of Structoglas supported, I could make sure it was fitted to the main cross piece and all of the battens I had installed. The piece was a bit large so I made the markings to cut the piece of Structoglas. Now more fun! I had to take the piece of Structoglas down from the overhead of the aft cabin, out of the aft cabin, and then outside DREAM AWAY so I could make the cuts. So much fun moving a piece over eight feet long and three feet wide at its widest point.

Before I made the cut on the piece of Structoglas, I drilled some holes in the overhead of the aft cabin. I did this so I could use Great Stuff spray insulation foam and fill the voids between the fiberglass deck and the interior paneling. When I finished spraying in the Great Stuff foam, I went out on the dock and made the cuts on the Structoglas.

Holes Drilled In Overhead Panel

Great Stuff Foam “Leaking” Out Of The Holes

I brought the piece of Structoglas back into DREAM AWAY, then into the aft cabin, and up against the overhead. I got the piece of Structoglas all blocked up again. The cuts were just right, so now I had to screw the piece of Structoglas to the main cross piece of wood and the battens. I did the measuring and marking for the location of the screws, and did the deed.

Structoglas Screwed To Overhead Port Side

Structoglas Screwed To Overhead Starboard Side

Now all that remained was to “iron” on the teak tape on the front of the main cross piece. The teak tape was ironed on, so now it will need to be dyed, and varnished.

Main Cross Piece Before Teak Tape Installation

Main Cross Piece After Teak Tape Installation

Shot Of The Finished Product

Of course, this project took up the whole day, by the time I finished cleaning up, vacuuming, making up the bed, and putting all of the tools and parts away.

I took a shower and went to the ground breaking ceremony for the South Pier Dock and Pavillion. Construction and dredging will be starting tomorrow.

Officials Doing The Actual Ground Breaking

September 02, Monday, 2013

Started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee.

Worked on the Maintenance Logs, and the DREAM AWAY update, and finally got the update out with links to the June, July, and August Maintenance Logs. A lot of effort and a milestone.

I wanted to get the mid cabin deck hatches fixed before Kitty returned, and set up her office in the mid cabin. The smaller hatch had a problem where some of the wood on which the hatch rested had loosened and fallen out. That made the hatch wobbly, and it needed to be repaired.

I founds some very small pieces of wood at the shop, and was able to fit them into place. They made the hatch very stable.

I had a similar problem with the larger hatch in the mid cabin deck. The unevenness of the hatch base had been there since I installed the hatch during the main mast compression post repair. Here again, I had to find a very small piece of wood to put into place that would cause the hatch to sit evenly in the hatch base.

I also had some small pieces of teak wood that had come loose from around the storage area under the microwave/convection oven. These needed to be epoxied in place.

I mixed up a pot of epoxy resin, and epoxied the three small pieces of wood from around the storage area. I then epoxied the small pieces of wood around the small hatch and the large hatch in the mid cabin.

Helpers Standing By

Small Hatch With Wood Fitted

Large Hatch With Wood Fitted

Pieces Of Wood Missing From Storage Area.

Mixing Epoxy Resin On Garage Work Bench

Pieces Epoxied In Place Around Storage Area

Next I got working on finishing the “security bars” in the hatches in the main cabin and the mid cabin. For a more complete explanation look at the August Maintenance Log. Check the end of the August 27, Tuesday, 2013, entry.

Main Cabin Hatch Security Bars Installed

Mid Cabin Hatch Before Installation Of Security Bars

Mid Cabin Hatch After Security Bar Installation

September 01, Sunday, 2013

Started off the morning with my normal ritual of getting on the Internet, answering email, and checking the weather, while making a pot of coffee.

Spent the remainder of the day working on getting the Maintenance Logs for June, July, and August completed. When they were completed, I downloaded them and got them ready for a DREAM AWAY update.

I also did some cooking while working on the computer.