Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Put back together Artfully
The reinstallation of wood New & original has been done like a true craftsman would do.The teak frames and jambs will be epoxied & primed & painted but the doors will still have its original teak accent.
A Whole NEW Aft Cabin Exterior Wall
Billy got to cutting and kept on going until all the cancer was gone. A New design for the teak door frame and slide hatch will be an improvement. All new wood with Epoxy & Fiberglass will help too. Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Questions Regarding Winshield Glass
Solex was recommended to be clearer and better to see objects through in foul weather and during twilight time. The rest of the boat will get a bronze tint. The center window will be epoxied and fiberglassed, but on port & starboard a new fixed window will be installed. There will not be any way to make them all three match. Both side windows will match but the center is already designed too well to realize a way to improve upon its original design. Ease of use and air flow makes this hinged flip top window, the most commonly used window in the whole vessel. I presume Billy will need to epoxy filler strips into the channel that held the old glass in place. then he will glass over the edge. Diving Off The Marqueises in 2002
My buddies from North Alabama flew all the way down to KW to join Cheri and I for a couple of dive trips. We shot our favorite fish and cooked it right away. We also picked out our limit on tasty crustaceans at the Lobster mart wall. My Brother & Sister In-law on their Honeymoon
Clarke & Niki got married on the beach in Key West and had part of the honeymoon in a hotel and part on WD. They were great to have aboard. This week, soon I hope, they will have a son Garrett born. We can't wait. Port & Starboard Guest Cabin, Inside & Out
These were fixed windows to begin with. Added ventilation would be great for the tropics, but they are forward and are most likely to take on heavy water in a serious seaway. The bulwarks are fairly sufficient for protectection, and freeboard is ample, but should I stick to the original design ? Help....ED Original Center Window will Stay
All other windows are being replaced. The choice is between PVC framed windows with 1/2" laminated glass or Anodized Aluminum with 1/4" tempered glass. Prices are very close. Timing promised for production and delivery of PVC windows is 3-4 weeks after they receive templates vs, 7-9 weeks on Aluminum. The bonus on Aluminum is that the company has done windows for Hinckley, Sabreline, Matthews and many other fine yacht builders. The PVC company is quite convincing on the strength and performance of the products. Both will be a great improvement, but I must decide very, very soon. I hope to get templates made, labeled and sent tomorrow or Friday. Sunday, June 11, 2006
My Sweetheart at Sunset
Buying a wooden Grand Banks.....................$40K
Survey and Yard Bill........................$4K
Re-wiring entire vessel ...................$12K
Patch, Repair & Paint in NC.......................$29K
New Canvas and Amenities..............$4K
Cruising through life with The One you Love ............. ..........................Priceless.
*the prices above are just to start cruisin'
These are the New Lines for WD
The window configuration has always ben abundant on Grand Banks. The newer models, after 42-354, the bulky window trim was dropped. On our streamlined updated version, we will loose alot of teak trim, but this will mean less upkeep of brightwork. I am hoping someone from Bomar in Seattle will talk with me this week. There are many marine window manufacturers out there to choose from, but the workmanship and design options at Bomar make them my personal preference. New Electric Service Panel
This is back in the days of the Southern Outer Banks, S.O.B. Before Cheri and I started our Journey down the Waterway South.This Blue Seas Service Panel for AC and DC, along with a few miles of wire made WD safe to live on. Corey McMahon of Titon Marine Services helped in this gargantuan task. Truth be known, he did more than I did getting the AC side rewired.
It was a proud day to see my new panel go in.
End of Week 4 and Maybe ...1/2 Way
Billy "Boatman" has been steady and efficient, but the window suppliers are being less than cooperative. All of the extra West System Epoxy arrived from Billy's source, as well as the bi-axial Fiberglass cloth. All of the 545 Primer and Awl Grip High Build primer arrived with required catalysts and converters from U.S. Paints. This time I chose the color "Matterhorn White" by Interlux in a Polyurethane one part paint, Brightsides. All of these items were supplied by Jamestown Distributors, very friendly and competitive. This over several primer coats and mucho epoxy and new wood should get her ready for all new windows and doors.Cheri still hasn't seen WD since BBT started on her 3rd refit, under our ownership of WD.
A New Design for the Fly Bridge
The Bench seating on Port held two 20 lbs. propane tanks and The Bench seating on Starboard held the Condenser and Air-Handler for the Saloon Air Conditioning. They both also trapped dirt and debris. The initial design was never adequate for proper drainage. The camber of the floor allowed water to drain from center, but very poorly from forward to aft.The New design will have a sturdy Captain's Helm as well as a sturdy double bench for the Admiral and guests. Cleaning will be a breeze, and I get a chance to rethink the bulkhead below the control panel. Billy recommended recessed 12 volt sub-panel and courtesy lights. Sounds good, I cannnot go to the extreme of a center helm.
