And Back To work!

SHIP'S LOG:

     Today's projects were not all that many. I was planning to scarf in the new toe rail but unfortunately, the yard was using my electrical cable to charge up my batteries so electrical tools were out for the day. Instead, I decided to clean-out and paint the anchor locker. It still  contains traces of the mud from the Carolinas and, with the leaves of the fall that found their way into the locker, along with some leftover sealife from the summer, it was a rather pungent brew that need to be exercised from the locker.

     Hauling out the rope and chain anchor rode, I found parts of the rope to be a lovely shade of green so I high pressure washed the entire length, getting not only the green but the salt crystals out of the rode.  I also discovered, luckily, that one of the links in the chain "leader" that attaches the rode to the anchor was bad. It had corroded to the point that I didn't think it was safe to use it any further.  Disappointingly, the offending link was right in the middle of the 12 foot length of chain. I had another length of the same type of chain and replace the old with the "relatively new."  It required getting the galvanized shackles off which took a lot of language, PB Blaster and some serious elbow grease. Galvanized shackles tend to weld themselves into an unmoving state after they have been exposed to the weather and/or water. It is a good thing in that you never really have to worry that they will undo themselves when you are not looking though it is a bad thing when you want to undo them. Still after making the switch, I still installed the safety wires on the shackles which should insure that they are never coming apart unintended.

     The anchor locker also contains a hose (to wash down the deck); a handle to operate the windlass manually; the anchor weights (used to double the holding power of the anchor when set); a lead line; and a couple of holey stones( used to scrub the teak deck if one so chooses).  The it was wash out the "gunk" and let dry, wipe it down with paint thinner and paint.  Two coats went on and it looks great. I almost hated to put the stuff back into the locker.

     I actually had to do some sewing. One of the cushions on the settee had a split between the fabric top and the vinyl bottom.  It kept getting snagged by the hatch on the settee locker next to it which gets open constantly. That lock contains all the spares and "whatnot" items that are always being used.It was a quick and easy job, though I wonder how long it will last.

     The next little project was to pressure wash the hull and get rid of all the loose paint. Every boat seems to have several places along the hull where bottom paint just doesn't want to stick. getting rid of the loose paint on these spots allows me to put down an undercoat or two before doing the entire job.

    I was just getting ready for the next little project when the rains came. it was rather surprising in that NOAA called for temps in the 50'sw and sunny skies. Then again, maybe it should not have been such a surprise. It was NOAA after all.