Just cruising under power

Sometimes, especially with those new to being on board and with kids, it's best to just cruise. But to me that mean under power. In the estuary mostly. With snacks. And beverages. 

That's exactly what we did weekend before last with our friends and their two girls. It definitely makes for easier entertaining. We have the new boat-friendly dining ware from Sea Dog that we really like for its durability, nice appearance, and nonslip bottom ring on everything (http://www.seadogboatingsolutions.com/galley-products.html ). So testing it all out with cheeses, crackers, and various meats was definitely needed. 

The Bay Area weather was slightly cool, but the day was great, and 3-4 hours on the water left the kids feeling sleepy, which is always a great side benefit. 

I'd also say that my docking skills--at least at my side dock with no encumbrances except a Catalina ahead of us to avoid--have gotten pretty good. Using the estuary tide and going against it into the dock is relatively easy. Come in (very) slow, and kick the ass end out at the very end, and drop her into reverse for a little burst, and good to go. 

The beauty of not sailing (but still being on the water)

This was a post from 3/29 that I neglected to post. 

Saturday I had a bad migraine, so I was inside most the day except for my daughter's soccer game. Sleeping and sitting in the dark. I had wanted to get to the boat with Uncle Thom and work on Hideaway's gauge that isn't working,

After driving my wife to the airport this morning, I knew today was all about my daughter. I took her to her kung fu class and then all I could think about was spending some time together kayaking.

She loves it as do I. She's a fun conversationalist, and she absorbs all sorts of stuff I think to talk about while we're sharing time on the water. Getting the large 2.5 person, 70+ lb kayak onto our SUV isn't the easiest and I'm usually sweating quite a bit by the time we get onto the water. But then it's very relaxing as we just chat away, with no particular hurry and no expectation that we're going to make it anywhere in particular.

Today we brought some bread for the gulls, and we got some waves from power boats. We saw a bunch of sailors, and a bunch more kayak renters. We read boat names, which is a favorite activity of ours. And she helped quite a bit,

A beautiful day. Some QT with my cutie. Even though we didn't go out on the big boat, I don't mind one bit.

Rebedding grab rails

I knew I would be learning on the job so to speak. Fixing things and maintaining my boat that is. Other than replacing an impeller, this was the first real project. 

The concept of mirror image grab rails on topside and interior ceiling seems straightforward. Thru bolts joining them, some type of sealant keeping the water out. But this isn't an easy job. 

First, drill out the existing bungs to get at the bolts from both sides. Did I mention this job has been done a few times on a 1977 boat? So there are two or even three bungs at each attach point because they've had to be repositioned. So drilling some bungs leads to nothing. Others to the actual bolt. 

Drilling produced a lot of debris. And wouldn't you know it, that's when the wife visits to note the cushion backs getting dirty (I was smart enough to move her cushion bottoms to the V berth). 

A few hours I've got the bolts out, rails off, cleaned up with acetone. And taped the bottoms of the holes in the topside  do I can add epoxy into the space between the two layers of fiberglass. The balsa core I dig out a bit and time has helped with that part. 

The epoxy mixing process is one I think you learn with experience. Well the pre measured pumps are good except the hardener one didn't work right. And then curing seemed to take awhile then happen at once. So I had to syringe in liquid epoxy to the voids. It took a lot which should've been the warning. But no. The warning was epoxy dripping in through the window seams. 

Cleaned up, then on to taping the rebedding surface for the 4200 sealant. Only, lining up the rails, and using pressure to get the bolts to close once again required a hand from a kind volunteer. 

Finally closed up, removed tape. Then took my daughter to sushi then 31 Flavors. 

Next up, the 18 new bungs, sanding, and revarnishing the rails. Fun times this boat ownership. ;)