Back from vacation

Well we're back from our weeks vacation in the Caribbean where I witnessed my sister get married. I've gained a new brother-in-law I'm looking forward to and a slight sun-tan. Everything is so easy down there it's hard to leave. But on to the boat news!

While there, Ralph chartered a 38' sloop named Gypsy Spirit II for the day and we both got a chance to do a little sailing. It was a great boat and lots of fun to work on. I got some valuable hands-on experience with sailing a boat. Things I remember are: 1) There are two speeds on a boat, cruising, and balls-out. There was no faster-than-casual or slower-than-now. 2) The bigger boat gets right-of-way, usually by surviving the game of chicken longer. 3) Hold onto your hat if you let me tack. If you don't, get a more experienced captain to turn around and fish it out of the water. We've got lots of pictures but none available right now. I'll post some when I get them from the trip.

My first day back at work on the boat was a weak one. Just a couple more hours sanding the mast before it got too late. We went out for burgers and to discuss paint options. Right now it's looking like it could be White, Red, and some Gold. I'll keep you posted on that. This is what happens when you discuss paint colors at dinner.

Mast & Keel work

Work Day 2

No pictures today, but we did work on the keel and mast. The keel is badly corroded in places through the epoxy coating. We chipped some of the old coating away with a putty knife. Where it is rusty the epoxy comes off pretty easily. Then we started grinding the layer for fairing with a wire brush and sanding disk mounted on a drill. I have a feeling it will need several more days of dedicated work before it's ready to be filled in again. One of the keel bolts was also removed and soon to be replaced after we clean around it. I'll get some pictures of it soon.

The mast is also corroded, but only slightly. The aluminum was bare before and has become rough over the years. It needs a good sanding which I got through most of today. Still need more touch up around the various parts that attach to the mast. Some of the hardware will need to be replaced. Other bits just need to be cleaned. And some of the hardware can't be safely removed anymore and will need to be painted around when the time comes.

Arrival

Work Day 1

The boat is here!


See all the pictures.

After we got the boat set up, we cleaned everything out of it we could. That was about it and we just got it covered up again before a light rain started.

More work tomorrow

Ground Leveling

The day before the boat arrives. I'm very excited. I cleaned up the yard a bunch more after the stump I pulled a few days ago. Filled in the holes and removed some old hay bails from the septic tank work. I tryed to stamp everything down to make a solid surface, but we'll see.

I've also put up a gallery of all the pictures here where you'll find more than I post on the blog.

Lawn Prep

Today I cleaned up the area will the boat will be delivered too a bit. The lawn got mowed and a tree stump got pulled out.

I'm really looking forward to the delivery.

Thunderbird 582

Say hello to the new Boat. Thunderbird #582. Wooden construction with fiberglass covering. We only made the purchase today, it will be delivered next saturday. Here you can see the sails drying out on the lawn as Captain Ralph checks them out.

The boat cost $100. Which is an incredible deal. Work will start when the boat is trucked over to our place this Saturday.

When fixed up and ready, it'll be a 26' boat with a 7' 6.5" beam and 4' 9.5" draft. It'll have 308 sq. ft. of sailing area and will sleep 4 - 6 people.