We’re getting quite a few deliveries lately….these FedEx guys seemed tickled to bring our boxes all the way to the boat. Fun to share some joy.
Nothing spectacular…just continuing to cross off needed items. Nice to get free delivery and save some of the toting for others!
Duane has things torn apart to install the new VHF.
I'm impressed with the removal of a huge cabinet in the master head. Looks like all the wiring for the boat travels thru large conduits hidden behind the cabinet.
He installed the outside handset first. It's replacing a wireless unit, so the footprint is quite different. Unfortunately, there is a poorly drilled hole by previous owners that is exposed now. That will have to be fixed by some gelcoat application.
VHF radio installed at the captain's table. Now I'll have to do some reading to learn this operationally as it's different than our previous B&G radio.
While Duane was busy with the installation, I spend several hours at the Walmart doing some more provisioning. Always a fun chore....
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Well, there is a storm brewing that may or may not visit us at the boat in Oriental. But to be safe, we need to do a bit of prep work and secure the boat a bit more than it is currently. Good timing because we really need to start getting the final list of things done for a fall Departure! Starting to get some provisioning done, and a long laundry list of things That need to be either fixed or added to the boat. Getting the van packed at the house.
Unloading is always a chore and this is just the beginning!
And time for a new VHF radio and AIS unit. What's another few "boat units", haha!
More of the same will be happening over the next few weeks for sure!
Sorry, getting behind on my posts!
We stayed at the house in Pittsboro just one evening then headed towards the mountains.
Nice cake and presents of course.
Beautiful weather.
Yummy potluck
And lots of conversation.
We also visited with Duane’s family, including a family reunion…I didn’t manage to take even one photo. But as always nice to see folks and enjoy the good food!
As you see, my mom is looking great!
And then back to Pittsboro…time for book club!! I hosted since we won’t be around much soon…
Just a food photo…I made a yummy blueberry cheesecake that was enjoyed by all.
Stopped by Bridgeton Boatworks to see if Tracy was there. She bought the 42 Manta from us in January and we had never met her. (The broker handled the entire transaction)
We had a nice long visit, she’s doing lots of the retrofits that we would have done had we kept the boat.
Then we headed back to Pittsboro for a short stay before heading to the mountains! Never stationary!
Still hanging out, many chores.
Duane disassembled the windlass…will have to take the shaft home to press it apart (sledge hammer didn’t work)….
We’re replacing the chain as our existing one is rusty and of unknown origin/installation date.
Dinghy motor oil changed.
Spare parts inventory taken.
The fresh water pump decided to misbehave with air coming in on the vacuum side so Duane is investigating.
Not glamorous by any means.
We do have some pretty sunsets though!
It’s never a good sign when the toilet bowl gets taken off !!
There was a small leak…but NO leak is acceptable of course!
It was just an old gasket, easily replaced from our spare parts. Glad that job is over!
The main hatch over our spare berth had developed a small leak....the only solution is really to remove the hatch and redo the caulking. Tedious process as the caulking is likely 10 years old or more.
We disassembled the hatch and cleaned all surfaces.
Just brute force, no other way to do it.
A messy but satisfying project.
All done, just waiting 24 hours to remove the excess caulk and masking tape. Ah, the joys of boat ownership!
Have I told you lately that I love my window louvers? The view out of the salon is just wonderful after being closed in with the dark window coverings for so many years.....but in the mornings/evenings when the sun angle is low, the harsh sun is annoying and hot. (Yes, the windows are tinted but it's not sufficiently dark to help with this issue).
Pattern cut and fitted snugly inside the window frame. Not perfect but doesn't have to be....sorry for the mess, you know how it gets when you're in the middle of several projects.....
All done with the fitting. There is some sagging because the windows are at a pretty steep angle. I've ordered some heavy duty suction cups from Amazon that will be inserted to keep the material snug to the window.....
I won't use them often but will be nice to have in certain situations.
Duane has been working on adding 600 watts more in solar panels. We had 960 watts which was great, but more is better!! Just getting started deciding on positions.
Making sure he leaves room for a walking path when needed
All done, working great.
It’s that time of year again. Time for us to be crew on Bluejacket for the yearly haulout. Beautiful almost fall morning.
The narrow well - Bluejacket just barely squeezes in with a few inches to spare.
