SHIP'S LOG:
TOMORROW! TOMORROW! TOMORROW!!!!! . . . . . . well, that's the plan. I will be taking ABISHAG to New London with good friend, Ken, and possibly old sailing mentor, John Plante. As of right now, the mooring is still not in. Again it is a question of waiting for someone else to do their job though this time I am waiting on someone because they are waiting on some else. In this case, the divers are waiting on the foundry to deliver the mooring anchor they have forged. Until it gets in, I get to hang off a mooring owned by another member of the club. The fact that the mooring has "GRACE" painted on it seems to make it clear that God is involved in the whole process. What a surprise!
This week has been the week of setting things in order to go to sea. I went into the anchor well and cleaned it out. Along with the windlass, there were two anchors, another plow anchor and a Danforth type. Since there is already a plow on the bow, I moved the second plow to the stern and tied it to the stern rail so that I can use it there should the need arise. Having two different type of anchors at the bow means that I should be able to handle whatever bottom I will have to anchor in as different types of anchor are better or worse on different bottoms. Now, I am covered.
Also in the anchor well was a hose and the faucet for the anchor wash-down, good for getting mud and gunk off the anchor and the rode before it goes into the boat after anchoring. In addition, there was a line snubber, use to take the strain off the anchor line, and two pieces of holistone, which is traditionally used to rub-down a wooden deck and keep it in good condition. Two last items were a bronze gear and a small bronze piece, something like a lever, that both seem to have come from the windlass. I now have to find out if they are spares or necessary to the operation of the windlass. I have no idea which is which.
Went into the forepeak and open the bench locker furthest forward. It was quite large but when I took out the liner to get below it ( a possibler location of the anchor chain storage) I found a set of blades for a windgenerator (I wonder if they will fit mine?), a fine grill-screen which can fit nothing I can fine, and a large bolt/ cable cutter. Unfortunately the cutter was a large mass of rust and the was no way to do anything to even getting close to functioning again. I trashed it.
I spent a lot of time storing things and getting things in place so that they could take the heeling. Another step closer to being underway.
MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:
I probably not sleep well tonight. It is scary and exciting to be going over to TYC after all these months in Mystic, but I can't wait. Even though it will probably be raining, it never "really" rains when you are sailing. Considering I expected a three to six week repair stint last August to get ABISHAG ready, I am really, REALLY ready to be going. To quote Capt. Jack Sparrow, "Now bring me that horizon."
Friday, June 27, 2008
Saturday, June 21, 2008
SOON! SOON! SOON!
SHIP'S LOG:
Well, after a week in Maryland to take care of a little personal business, I have come back to find ABISHAG gone . . . . . but not far, just over to "A" Dock. She had to be moved as the owner/renter of the slip I was occupying finally showed up. Ah, such is life!
All the little dodas and thingamabobs have been corrected by the yard and she is ready to "go scudding along with a bone in her teeth." That is with the exception of the Wind/Speed Indicator. It seems that it has given up the ghost and can't be fixed. It needs to be replaced and that is something that is going to have to wait a good long while. Even though a new unit, transducer & cable can be had for a mere 1 1/2 Marine Units, I don't have them! Basically I am tapped out and if I want to be able to afford to sail, I'll have to go with what I have now. That may change in the future, especially if I hit the POWERBALL Lottery, but until it does, ABISHAG gets no new frills or further cosmetic surgery.
I will be bending on the sails (jib & main) and tuning the rig and ABISHAG will be good to go . . . to her new home on her new mooring over a TYC. . . . .this week! ! !! ! ! Well, that's progress!
MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:
It is hard to believe that the time is finally here. I was beginning to think that it would never come, but it has, or I should say is, this week. I am excited about the shake down sails and planning for the future. There is a Rendezvous for Camper Nicholson Owners in Tenants Harbor, Maine, in August and I am planning to attend. As with all things to do with sailing and schedules, it is a tentative plan but it is a plan. Tentatively, Maine will be followed by a trip to Bermuda and from there to the Chesapeake where I will cruise awaiting the end of the Hurricane Season. Once November 1st rolls around, I will pick up my two(2) crew for the trip down the ICW. Beyond that, I'll just have to see what God has in mind. But whatever t might be, it will be "an adventure."
Well, after a week in Maryland to take care of a little personal business, I have come back to find ABISHAG gone . . . . . but not far, just over to "A" Dock. She had to be moved as the owner/renter of the slip I was occupying finally showed up. Ah, such is life!
All the little dodas and thingamabobs have been corrected by the yard and she is ready to "go scudding along with a bone in her teeth." That is with the exception of the Wind/Speed Indicator. It seems that it has given up the ghost and can't be fixed. It needs to be replaced and that is something that is going to have to wait a good long while. Even though a new unit, transducer & cable can be had for a mere 1 1/2 Marine Units, I don't have them! Basically I am tapped out and if I want to be able to afford to sail, I'll have to go with what I have now. That may change in the future, especially if I hit the POWERBALL Lottery, but until it does, ABISHAG gets no new frills or further cosmetic surgery.
I will be bending on the sails (jib & main) and tuning the rig and ABISHAG will be good to go . . . to her new home on her new mooring over a TYC. . . . .this week! ! !! ! ! Well, that's progress!
MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:
It is hard to believe that the time is finally here. I was beginning to think that it would never come, but it has, or I should say is, this week. I am excited about the shake down sails and planning for the future. There is a Rendezvous for Camper Nicholson Owners in Tenants Harbor, Maine, in August and I am planning to attend. As with all things to do with sailing and schedules, it is a tentative plan but it is a plan. Tentatively, Maine will be followed by a trip to Bermuda and from there to the Chesapeake where I will cruise awaiting the end of the Hurricane Season. Once November 1st rolls around, I will pick up my two(2) crew for the trip down the ICW. Beyond that, I'll just have to see what God has in mind. But whatever t might be, it will be "an adventure."
Saturday, June 14, 2008
IT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH? DO YOU BELIEVE IT?
SHIP'S LOG:
Today, I had to go to the DMV to register ABISHAG and the dinghy.(I've got to come up with a name for the dinghy!) I had gotten the forms necessary earlier in the week, filled them all out and, with checkbook in hand, head to the DMV, bring along a good book.
First of all, going to the DMV last week, I was given the WRONG! forms with which to register the boats. The fact that I was "given" the form by a DMV official made no difference DMV to get the correct forms.
Going to the DMV Office in Old Saybrook (a smaller office that seems to move things along rather quickly . . . at least for a DMV office), I got in line to get a number so that I could get in line for service. I got my number and sat down, opened the book, and started reading. Two hours later, my number was called and I went up to the counter to begin my interaction with a DMV official.
Having bought the dinghy from Defender Industries in Waterford, CT, all of the paper work was exactly and completely right and the registration went through without a hitch. Pay $7.50 and the registration was complete. Next was ABISHAG. I laid out the proper form filled out, the Federal Boat Documentation, the Coast Guard Bill of Sale, and opened my checkbook to pay the sales tax and the registration. The DMV Official picked up the paper work, looked at it, and said, " I can't accept this Bill of Sale." Say what? "This Bill of Sale doesn't have all the information I need to register the boat." Say What? I said, "This is a Federal Government Document. It was sufficient and acceptable to obtain the federal documentation and registration of this boat and it is not good enough to register the boat here in Connecticut?" " Sorry, It is not a proper Bill of Sale like we need to register the boat."
And that was that. No registration for ABISHAG! I call the documentation service and talked with the agent who had handled the documentation. She thought I was kidding. "How can Connecticut not accept the documentation that the Federal Government accepts?" Hey, what did she want from me? I am just the messenger. I had to fax her a State of Connecticut Bill of Sale (for boats) which she will fill out, get all the signatures and send it up. Being away for the coming week, means I get to come back not just to sailing but also to another fun day spent in the DMV!
Leaving the sate for a week with the boat ready to got, I have had to make arrangements for moving ABISHAG to the Thames Yacht Club if necessary during my absence. Ken and Chris, the crew from the Annapolis delivery, have been apprised and are ready to go at a moments notice . . . .well with 24 hours notice. Hopefully, it won't be necessary but it is nice to know that all is set if it is.
MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:
Next Saturday . . . . . Next Sunday For SURE! ! ! ! !! ! ! !
Today, I had to go to the DMV to register ABISHAG and the dinghy.(I've got to come up with a name for the dinghy!) I had gotten the forms necessary earlier in the week, filled them all out and, with checkbook in hand, head to the DMV, bring along a good book.
First of all, going to the DMV last week, I was given the WRONG! forms with which to register the boats. The fact that I was "given" the form by a DMV official made no difference DMV to get the correct forms.
Going to the DMV Office in Old Saybrook (a smaller office that seems to move things along rather quickly . . . at least for a DMV office), I got in line to get a number so that I could get in line for service. I got my number and sat down, opened the book, and started reading. Two hours later, my number was called and I went up to the counter to begin my interaction with a DMV official.
Having bought the dinghy from Defender Industries in Waterford, CT, all of the paper work was exactly and completely right and the registration went through without a hitch. Pay $7.50 and the registration was complete. Next was ABISHAG. I laid out the proper form filled out, the Federal Boat Documentation, the Coast Guard Bill of Sale, and opened my checkbook to pay the sales tax and the registration. The DMV Official picked up the paper work, looked at it, and said, " I can't accept this Bill of Sale." Say what? "This Bill of Sale doesn't have all the information I need to register the boat." Say What? I said, "This is a Federal Government Document. It was sufficient and acceptable to obtain the federal documentation and registration of this boat and it is not good enough to register the boat here in Connecticut?" " Sorry, It is not a proper Bill of Sale like we need to register the boat."
And that was that. No registration for ABISHAG! I call the documentation service and talked with the agent who had handled the documentation. She thought I was kidding. "How can Connecticut not accept the documentation that the Federal Government accepts?" Hey, what did she want from me? I am just the messenger. I had to fax her a State of Connecticut Bill of Sale (for boats) which she will fill out, get all the signatures and send it up. Being away for the coming week, means I get to come back not just to sailing but also to another fun day spent in the DMV!
Leaving the sate for a week with the boat ready to got, I have had to make arrangements for moving ABISHAG to the Thames Yacht Club if necessary during my absence. Ken and Chris, the crew from the Annapolis delivery, have been apprised and are ready to go at a moments notice . . . .well with 24 hours notice. Hopefully, it won't be necessary but it is nice to know that all is set if it is.
MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:
Next Saturday . . . . . Next Sunday For SURE! ! ! ! !! ! ! !
Thursday, June 12, 2008
ANOTHER SMALL PROJECT
SHIP'S LOG:
With the prospect of having to move soon, I needed to take care of an important little project . . . .tie-downs!
I have a small gas generator that dwells in the "In-Law's Apartment " of a cockpit locker on ABISHAG. I can't have this 65lbs item sashaying around the locker when the boat is under sail. It would have too much of chance to do damage to the thru-hull for the engine and/or bilge pump or the electrical connections for the various pieces of equipment that are secured to the Nav station bulkhead. I was able to used two(2) tank tie-down kits to attach the generator to the inboard bulkhead and it should be well secured. I also had to secure the cover to the battery box which is also located in the cockpit locker. The previous owner evidently began the process but never finished, even to the point of not completely screwing in the tie-down anchors. Someone also painted over the screw heads, possibly caulked them as well, making it a real chore removing the screws and thus the anchors. Those that came out easily, I took out. Those that fought the extraction I left in place. They can serve as additional back-up tie-downs. When I can locate more of these tie-down kits, I will also use them to tie down the batteries themselves, as well as the propane tanks in the propane locker. There will be other tied down projects in the future, like the microwave, but sometimes it is difficult realizing what needs to be tied down. What would you tie down in your house? Since your house won't ever heel 30 degrees or more, or ever turnover completely, one doesn't quite tie down everything that needs it. Then again, you literally can't tied everything down. It is a learning process.
I am definitely going to install some passive ventilation on the boat. The interior really gets heated when the boat is all closed up. Since I will be heading south in the fall, it would be a real good idea.
MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:
Departure date is coming soon! Hopefully this weekend, but if not this weekend, definitely next weekend. I am getting really excited and itchy for it to happen. Still, having been "on the hard' for two years now, and having a new boat, the thought of "finally moving" is both exciting and scary. It is all jumbled up together but in the end I can't wait ! ! ! !!
With the prospect of having to move soon, I needed to take care of an important little project . . . .tie-downs!
I have a small gas generator that dwells in the "In-Law's Apartment " of a cockpit locker on ABISHAG. I can't have this 65lbs item sashaying around the locker when the boat is under sail. It would have too much of chance to do damage to the thru-hull for the engine and/or bilge pump or the electrical connections for the various pieces of equipment that are secured to the Nav station bulkhead. I was able to used two(2) tank tie-down kits to attach the generator to the inboard bulkhead and it should be well secured. I also had to secure the cover to the battery box which is also located in the cockpit locker. The previous owner evidently began the process but never finished, even to the point of not completely screwing in the tie-down anchors. Someone also painted over the screw heads, possibly caulked them as well, making it a real chore removing the screws and thus the anchors. Those that came out easily, I took out. Those that fought the extraction I left in place. They can serve as additional back-up tie-downs. When I can locate more of these tie-down kits, I will also use them to tie down the batteries themselves, as well as the propane tanks in the propane locker. There will be other tied down projects in the future, like the microwave, but sometimes it is difficult realizing what needs to be tied down. What would you tie down in your house? Since your house won't ever heel 30 degrees or more, or ever turnover completely, one doesn't quite tie down everything that needs it. Then again, you literally can't tied everything down. It is a learning process.
I am definitely going to install some passive ventilation on the boat. The interior really gets heated when the boat is all closed up. Since I will be heading south in the fall, it would be a real good idea.
MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:
Departure date is coming soon! Hopefully this weekend, but if not this weekend, definitely next weekend. I am getting really excited and itchy for it to happen. Still, having been "on the hard' for two years now, and having a new boat, the thought of "finally moving" is both exciting and scary. It is all jumbled up together but in the end I can't wait ! ! ! !!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
JUST IN THE NICK OF TIME! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
SHIP'S LOG:
I have actually completed (100% complete) a project! A first! The movement of the LECTRASAN Unit from under the foreward head sink to its new location in the locker under the forward bunk.It was a tedious and frustrating and bruising and stinky but it is done. But it almost wasn't the case. I nearly hook the hoses up wrong, running the input hose to the outflow and the outflow hose to the input connection.The fact that I had to keep shifting from the foreward head to the forepeak and back again a dozen or so times, checking the run of the hoses, helped me catch this "major whoopsie" before it became a permanent problem. I am not exactly sure what the outcome of this would have been, but it would not have been a good thing, to say the least. I am just happy that I caught it in the nick of time. Correcting the problem would have been a major posterior pain.
The is an old Maine boat-building proverb that goes, "Measure twice, cut once." It makes a lot of sense when you think about it but for some reason it doesn't always seem to work. I had to cut holes thru a bulkhead, one for each hose, to connect the LECTRASAN Unit from its new location to the rest of the waste system. I put the unit in place, marked the bulkhead where the two hose made contact and marked the bulkhead. Took the unit out, scribed a 2"diameter circle on the bulkhead and replaced the unit and took notice of any change. I remarked the bulkhead, to the unit out, checked the location and everything seemed to line up. I drilled a pilot hose in the center of each circle, fitted the hose cutter and cut the two holes. I replaced the unit and lined up the hoses and neither were exactly right. It required I re-cut the holes and refit the unit. Again the holes and the hoses didn't quite line up. I had to use a dremel tool to expand each hole to allow the hoses to run fair. I still had to wrap one of the hoses with some rubber gasket material so that if there is any vibration or slight movement of the hose in the future, it won't get cut. It was really weird! But it at last all went into place and should it ever be necessary to dismantle it in the future, it can be done with not too much of a problem. I was even able to make all the electrical connections to run the unit without having to buy new wires or cables. The whole system is now up and running . . . . as far as I can tell without an actual "test." That will happen once I am on the mooring.
I got down to ABISHAG and found a not from the yard mechanic pronouncing the engine ready to go. There is nothing mechanical/ structural that is keeping the boat in place. I await only the word from the Geer brothers that the mooring is in and I am gone. I am hopeful that it will be this weekend though I expect it will not be the case . . . . . .I have to go to Maryland next week and I just know that the yard will want me gone as soon as I leave the state. I am going to have to make arrangements for that eventuality. Hey, it could be worse coming back from Maryland to find the boat on the mooring ready to go!!!!!
MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:
It was a strange feeling to go into the boat and find the note from the mechanic on the nav station. The boat is ready to go. True there are a host of little items that are still on the never-ending boat project list, but ABISHAG is incredibly more ready to go than she was on her trip up from Annapolis. Exciting doesn't quite cut it. Suddenly, all of the plans are beginning to firm up. "Someday" is getting close to being a particular day and the whole thing is becoming more and more real. It is tough to express what it feels like but it feels great! And I am ready! ! ! !
I have actually completed (100% complete) a project! A first! The movement of the LECTRASAN Unit from under the foreward head sink to its new location in the locker under the forward bunk.It was a tedious and frustrating and bruising and stinky but it is done. But it almost wasn't the case. I nearly hook the hoses up wrong, running the input hose to the outflow and the outflow hose to the input connection.The fact that I had to keep shifting from the foreward head to the forepeak and back again a dozen or so times, checking the run of the hoses, helped me catch this "major whoopsie" before it became a permanent problem. I am not exactly sure what the outcome of this would have been, but it would not have been a good thing, to say the least. I am just happy that I caught it in the nick of time. Correcting the problem would have been a major posterior pain.
The is an old Maine boat-building proverb that goes, "Measure twice, cut once." It makes a lot of sense when you think about it but for some reason it doesn't always seem to work. I had to cut holes thru a bulkhead, one for each hose, to connect the LECTRASAN Unit from its new location to the rest of the waste system. I put the unit in place, marked the bulkhead where the two hose made contact and marked the bulkhead. Took the unit out, scribed a 2"diameter circle on the bulkhead and replaced the unit and took notice of any change. I remarked the bulkhead, to the unit out, checked the location and everything seemed to line up. I drilled a pilot hose in the center of each circle, fitted the hose cutter and cut the two holes. I replaced the unit and lined up the hoses and neither were exactly right. It required I re-cut the holes and refit the unit. Again the holes and the hoses didn't quite line up. I had to use a dremel tool to expand each hole to allow the hoses to run fair. I still had to wrap one of the hoses with some rubber gasket material so that if there is any vibration or slight movement of the hose in the future, it won't get cut. It was really weird! But it at last all went into place and should it ever be necessary to dismantle it in the future, it can be done with not too much of a problem. I was even able to make all the electrical connections to run the unit without having to buy new wires or cables. The whole system is now up and running . . . . as far as I can tell without an actual "test." That will happen once I am on the mooring.
I got down to ABISHAG and found a not from the yard mechanic pronouncing the engine ready to go. There is nothing mechanical/ structural that is keeping the boat in place. I await only the word from the Geer brothers that the mooring is in and I am gone. I am hopeful that it will be this weekend though I expect it will not be the case . . . . . .I have to go to Maryland next week and I just know that the yard will want me gone as soon as I leave the state. I am going to have to make arrangements for that eventuality. Hey, it could be worse coming back from Maryland to find the boat on the mooring ready to go!!!!!
MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:
It was a strange feeling to go into the boat and find the note from the mechanic on the nav station. The boat is ready to go. True there are a host of little items that are still on the never-ending boat project list, but ABISHAG is incredibly more ready to go than she was on her trip up from Annapolis. Exciting doesn't quite cut it. Suddenly, all of the plans are beginning to firm up. "Someday" is getting close to being a particular day and the whole thing is becoming more and more real. It is tough to express what it feels like but it feels great! And I am ready! ! ! !
Saturday, June 7, 2008
SPEND THOSE MARINE UNITS! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
SHIP'S LOG:
Went out and purchased all of the connectors and hose necessary to complete the the hook-up of the LECTROSAN from its new location. All that remains is to drill two(2) holes through the bulkhead for the hoses and make the connection. Then the forward head will be ready for to be opened for "business"!
I also purchased an in-line strainer for the hose that feeds raw water to the refrigeration compressor. As I mentioned before, the former owner lost/broke the actual strainer element rendering the refrigeration compressor un-usable. The open the seacock to allow in water would flood the boat. I can't figure out why the guy just didn't get a new element or in a pinch, a whole new strainer. It cost me all of $14 and five minutes to correct the problem. Now I can find out if the system works!
MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:
It was a short work day. Got started late and spent most of the day in the car driving between Marine Stores to pick up all the parts I needed. Even though we should be out of Mystic next week, I am having a little trouble getting up the energy and desire to go down and work on the boat. I suspect that it is because I have been working on it almost daily for a year and so far the only time I have sailed ABISHAG was when we brought her up from Annapolis. Most of the stuff I am doing now is "busy work," stuff that doesn't really need to be done in the Shipyard. Waiting on them is getting to be a drag.
Went out and purchased all of the connectors and hose necessary to complete the the hook-up of the LECTROSAN from its new location. All that remains is to drill two(2) holes through the bulkhead for the hoses and make the connection. Then the forward head will be ready for to be opened for "business"!
I also purchased an in-line strainer for the hose that feeds raw water to the refrigeration compressor. As I mentioned before, the former owner lost/broke the actual strainer element rendering the refrigeration compressor un-usable. The open the seacock to allow in water would flood the boat. I can't figure out why the guy just didn't get a new element or in a pinch, a whole new strainer. It cost me all of $14 and five minutes to correct the problem. Now I can find out if the system works!
MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:
It was a short work day. Got started late and spent most of the day in the car driving between Marine Stores to pick up all the parts I needed. Even though we should be out of Mystic next week, I am having a little trouble getting up the energy and desire to go down and work on the boat. I suspect that it is because I have been working on it almost daily for a year and so far the only time I have sailed ABISHAG was when we brought her up from Annapolis. Most of the stuff I am doing now is "busy work," stuff that doesn't really need to be done in the Shipyard. Waiting on them is getting to be a drag.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
I GOT A CALL TODAY . . .
SHIP'S LOG:
I got a call today from Tim Porter. Tim is the yard manager of the Mystic Shipyard. It seems that the person who is renting the slip I currently occupy wants his boat in the water, SOON, and Tim is suggesting that it is time to move. Unfortunately, there will be no slips available for me to hang so i must be moving on . . . . SOON . . .like next week. Actually, I have been waiting for the Yard to finish up the work on the engine. They evidently got tired of trying to find the filter element for the engine and are having a part custom fabricated so that I can get a generic NAPA filter when I need one in the future.
Washed out the bilge again and got it a little closer to being "sweet and clean." The work on the engine has dropped oil into the bilge and it does have a unique fragrance when mixed with salt water. A little Lysol(?), a little PINESOL and a little bilge cleaner poured into every part of the bilge cleaned it out fairly well I am going to have to drop some CLEANWATER tabs in the bilge. It is a type of bacteria that "eats oils and transform it into amino acids which you can pump over board and not get the EPA excited and upset. You need the boat in motion for this stuff to work best so once we get on the can, the motion of the tides, river current and waves will eventually assist the stuff in cleaning the bilge.
Pumped out and cleaned the fresh water system. Pumped out the antifreeze and filled the tank with water. Then umped it out again. Filled it again with a fresh water system cleaner and pumped it out again. Filled it up again and pumped it out and filled it up a last time. The best thing was that all the faucets worked and the fresh water pump handled all three going at once. It is nice to know that they work. Now I need only to install filters on the water lines and get the water maker installed. Always more to do but then I am not sure what I would do with myself if there weren't more things that needed doing.
MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:
Well, I am getting "booted" out of the Shipyard. I am feeling something like a baby bird being pushed out of the nest. It is exciting and frightening at the same time. ABISHAG definitely feels more like mine but there are still things that need doing and I could easily come up with reasons to delay. However, nothing that needs doing is anything that would prevent my sailing, at least on short trips. This weekend is supposed to be hot and, while I'll still be tied to the dock, the weather itself will really be pushing me to go. Surely the worst day for weather next week will end up as being the day I have to go. Doesn't it always seem to work out that way?
I got a call today from Tim Porter. Tim is the yard manager of the Mystic Shipyard. It seems that the person who is renting the slip I currently occupy wants his boat in the water, SOON, and Tim is suggesting that it is time to move. Unfortunately, there will be no slips available for me to hang so i must be moving on . . . . SOON . . .like next week. Actually, I have been waiting for the Yard to finish up the work on the engine. They evidently got tired of trying to find the filter element for the engine and are having a part custom fabricated so that I can get a generic NAPA filter when I need one in the future.
Washed out the bilge again and got it a little closer to being "sweet and clean." The work on the engine has dropped oil into the bilge and it does have a unique fragrance when mixed with salt water. A little Lysol(?), a little PINESOL and a little bilge cleaner poured into every part of the bilge cleaned it out fairly well I am going to have to drop some CLEANWATER tabs in the bilge. It is a type of bacteria that "eats oils and transform it into amino acids which you can pump over board and not get the EPA excited and upset. You need the boat in motion for this stuff to work best so once we get on the can, the motion of the tides, river current and waves will eventually assist the stuff in cleaning the bilge.
Pumped out and cleaned the fresh water system. Pumped out the antifreeze and filled the tank with water. Then umped it out again. Filled it again with a fresh water system cleaner and pumped it out again. Filled it up again and pumped it out and filled it up a last time. The best thing was that all the faucets worked and the fresh water pump handled all three going at once. It is nice to know that they work. Now I need only to install filters on the water lines and get the water maker installed. Always more to do but then I am not sure what I would do with myself if there weren't more things that needed doing.
MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:
Well, I am getting "booted" out of the Shipyard. I am feeling something like a baby bird being pushed out of the nest. It is exciting and frightening at the same time. ABISHAG definitely feels more like mine but there are still things that need doing and I could easily come up with reasons to delay. However, nothing that needs doing is anything that would prevent my sailing, at least on short trips. This weekend is supposed to be hot and, while I'll still be tied to the dock, the weather itself will really be pushing me to go. Surely the worst day for weather next week will end up as being the day I have to go. Doesn't it always seem to work out that way?
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