Engine work

For more reasons than I can count I finally got back to the boat today to get a little work done.  Got the starter installed and working. The exhaust elbow was next. Went by NAPA about a gasket, they didn't have one. Hope I don't need a new one.

With the starter in place and the elbow in its place it was time to see if the motor would turn over. Sure enough I could push the starter button and it would turn over. Now to drain the fuel tank and put in fresh fuel before I get her running again. I need that 20 gallon tank.

Tomorrow I'll get one of my dock mate sons to help me put back on the ladder and outboard motor bracket. Not going to give up the bracket. No sure if I can trust the Yanmar. We'll also get the anchor deck plate removed so I can epoxy it closed and re drill to fit the smaller deck plate. While at it I'll fill in a bunch of holes with epoxy that are no longer needed.

Still varnishing wood items that will go back on the boat and some new one.  Pictures soon.

Work continues

As the work continues I am working on the cockpit. Sand and sand and more sanding. The paint is like a latex on top or oil. It's just flaking of in little pieces.

Here is a photo of what's been done so far. OK doesn't look like much. Getting to the boat has been a problem at time. This week I have appointments for 3 days and need to take Lisa to the VA Thursday in Houston.

I've got the semi gloss deck paint at West Marine. Maybe this weekend for the first round.

I'm going to add a older photo of me that was taken up in Montana. Someone special to me has never seen me with a beard and the way I use to look.

The lady in my arm is my beautiful daughter. She came up to Montana to visit.

Recommission

Lisa and I went to the boat today to do one main thing. That is to recommission our Watkins 27. She had a french name Your lucky day and before that Ladyfingers. Well I think we gave her a name that means something.  Miss Sadie  Sadie was Lisa's grandmothers name. We put her name on the stern and also port of call.

Leave it to me to not get her name on straight. Little up hill run.

Next project was to get the addition plug in working for my navigation equipment. That done next was the starter. Got it pulled off cleaned up and ready to have it check then off to the shop on Monday.

It was a good day. She is starting to look like a boat that is loved. Got to get the cockpit painted. 

New Cushions

We got our new cushions today. They look pretty good. But not as good as Lisa could have made them. She is not able to sew at this time.

Spent most of the day working on the electrical. There is wire that run nowhere. Lots of  to do on a neglected boat. Hope to put her name on tomorrow.

Our draw in the galley was in pretty bad shape so Charlie offered to rebuild it. He got it done today and on the boat. We still have to stain and varnish the front. Forgot to take a photo today. So will have to do it tomorrow.  

Photo up date

Spent the day working on the boat. Got Miss Froggy all clean out of our personal gear. Work on getting the bolts loose on the exhaust elbow. That is going to take a couple of day with PB Blaster and a few hits with a 4 lb hammer to break them loose.

Got the second coat of paint on the stern. Pretty shiny can see the letters from the dinghy on her. I'll put her new name on in a couple of day. Need to let the paint totally dry.

Photos of the cabin after all the glue is up.

I've still got to do some more sanding the put on a coat of non skid. Think I'll go with a light gray so it wont show the dirt so much.

I didn't take a picture of the draw that needs to be rebuilt. Charlie took it home to repair it for us.

Next major project will be the cockpit sole. Will sand it big time then put a good coat of light gray non skid on the sole. Should be able to do this one in a good weather day.

No work today

We said good by to our Canadian friends this morning and headed to Victoria. Had to do a little paper work with the Vet rep then headed to Lowe's for the fencing I wanted for the boat to put on the lifelines so we don't have to worry about Trixie falling overboard.

It was funny when we stopped at HEB we ran into Charlie, Wayne and Connie. They were there to get the food for a shrimp boil. We had planned to meet up with Wayne and Connie at Charlie house. The boil was the icing on the cake. Had a great afternoon and early evening.

Got the other piece of foam cut and delivered. Hope to have the cushions by the week end. I took a couple of photos of the boat this morning and thought I'd post them.