Stove Top Stuffing

 I purchased a used galley stove that arrived this week.  A new to me, Origo 3000 alcohol stove arrived and caused me to think about how I would use it.  This would dictate how I install it.  I never plan on cooking while underway so gimbals would not be required.  The existing stove opening is very large for this unit. 






 I constructed a shelf for the stove that raises it up to a working level.  Under the shelf the supports split the area into two areas for plate, bowl and cup storage.  There is still a large area behind the stove to store bottles and extra Alcohol. The stove is attached to the shelf and there is enough room to open the top to fill the canisters.

 

 

 I took the time today to tidy up the wiring runs and make it look right.  The first mate helped by getting into the tighter areas.  They say that the wires should not be run in bundles like this as they can generate too much heat and do more damage if one burns up.  I hope that is in extreme cases only as I can see no other way to get these wires up to the control panel.

 I removed the shelf that I had installed previously so I could make a cut out for the garbage can.  Removal of the garbage can will give me access to the sink drain thru hull.

100th Post

How to rebuild a sailboat in only 100 blog posts.  First; do not start to document the project until you are at least half way through.  Then continue at a random, ad-hock posting rate until you feel you might be posting too much.  Only then do you stand a chance of poorly documenting what has consumed the better part of three years of your life.  This post only goes to show how successful I have been in that endeavor.

I spent the week working on the trailer and getting ready for moving.  When, I don't know.  I removed the last of the plastic screen walls and cleaned up around the site.  I filled the trailer tires to 65 PSI and then lowered the trailer off it's blocks from the last 10 yrs.  Jacking up each corner and lowering for and aft until she sat just on four tires and the tongue.  The tires held.  That's a good start.




I hooked the trailer to the truck and connected the power cord.  Lights still worked.  Another positive. The big question was the brakes.  I put it in 4X4 Low and broke her loose from 10 years of standing still.  I pulled her out from under the cover about 2/3 of the way to taste the sunlight.  I could see I had a lot of tree trimming to do before she could get down the drive way.

I spent the rest of the day trimming trees as high as I could go.  There may be more near the end of the drive.  I am most concerned about the drive transition to the road.  It has worn down a lot over 10+ years.  I think the tongue will dig in.  I will try to move a lot of loose stone into the low area to raise it up.  I then tried to  roll her back.  The brakes had locked.  They broke loose after a lot of pressure and then seemed to roll free.  Maybe that is as bad as it will get.  Tires still holding air so dry rot does not seem to be an issue.

Graphics

I received and applied the graphics for the boat.  The NC registration numbers for both sides of the bow and the name for the stern.  No home port yet.  Still not sure where.  I did commit to the insurance company though.  It was difficult to find anyone interested in insuring a 1969 boat. 

The insurance quotes ranges from very low to very high with the biggest variable being where you planned on sailing.  So I hope to have a lower end cost in  a defined cruising area.  It did require a condition and valuation survey.  I had the surveyor out on Monday to provide the required report. 

Lets hope that works out to be a fair assessment of the quality and structural integrity.  Too busy right now to go look for marinas.  Maybe over the holidays.  2 addition stand up blocks have been ordered.  The next big thing is to get the trailer off it's blocks and the mast out of the basement. Once the trailer is movable I plan on pulling it out of the cover and then using the structure of the cover, along with block and tackle, to raise the mast up and then slide the boat back underneath.  On the inside I have just been cleaning up.  I did find a nice floor rug that fits.

Stand up Blocks

Some of the hardware that absolutely had to be replaced were the stand up blocks at the mast that turned the lines coming down the mast to the horizontal.  The main halyard, jib halyard, topping lift and spinnaker halyard.  They were old blocks.  Some were disintegrated completely, one was too small.  2 were serviceable but aged out.  I ordered 2 new ones from Garhauer.  The only problem is the base plate is a large circle vs a small diamond.  This is a problem because real estate at the mast base plate is limited.  I know they can even be mounted on the mast it's self but I wanted to keep it all on the same level.  

I removed a couple of the old blocks by drilling out the rivets from the top.  I could then pry off the plates and drill out the rest of the rivet down flush with the SS plate.  I made a paper template from the base of the mast to approximate how much room I would have.  Very Tight.  It will be a miracle if it all fits.  I had only planned on replacing the two primary halyard blocks and moving one of the serviceable ones over to replace the disintegrated one.

I mounted the two new ones with SS screws through the p;late and into the wood base through new holes drilled in the base plate.  I have decided to invest in the other two and will order those so it will all be done at once.  I also ordered all of the boat graphics and numbers.  I still need to shop for  boat insurance which is a tougher challenge than I thought as nobody wants to insure a 43 yr. old boat.

Bottom Paint

This weekend we had some unseasonably warm temps and that allowed me to jump on some bottom ant-fouling. I was able to get two coats on and paint under 4 of the 7 support pads.  When I launch depending on weather, I may be able to get a third coat but more importantly, coat under the remaining pads and the bottom of the keel that are just not accessible right now.

 The next week should also be nice so I may be able to get a few more outside things done.  I received the stand up blocks so I can mount those.  I only ordered 2 but really need 2 more.  I will wait and switch them out next year.  The other two are serviceable and on only on the topping lift and spinnaker halyard.  They either don't move much or not at all right now.



I also need to attach the dorade boxes and anchor chain stop.  I need one more clam vent for the interior.  I have to bolt up the water tank, which is still empty but we are getting ready to go.  Before and after photos are so rewarding.