Well I started leash training the girls. Abbey is catching on to the idea that walking along side of me is easier then being steadily tugged along. She is not responding to treats so much as lots of affection. Sandy on the other hnad responds to affection but seems more interested in the treats.
Sandy seems to be familiar with the concept of walking on a leash or is just one extremly smart dog, I'm not sure which, probably both. I'm guessing she was on a leash before the peope I got her from had her. Sandy is the one that when she hears the treat bag responds immediately. Abbey will look at you like she is just not sure if it is worth the effort until she is right next to you .
Tip on treats, The ones I got are about an inch to two inches long. I broke up a bunch and put them in a zip bag. Its easier then breaking them up as needed when you have dogs clamoring for them,
A while back I was introduced to Christine Kling books .This woman can write a real page turner. As a result I stated following the blog " Write on Water". Now many are not interested in writing as a means to make a living. For those who are, I highly suggest following this blog. The recent post have been about the economics of writing. Two separate post, both saying the same thing, gets my attention. If your going to self publish Kindle is apparently the way to go. The specific links to this topic are here. Christine's Original blog on Principles versus Income. Mike's response
Not a lot else going on . Have been working on getting this house finished so I can sell it to buy THE boat. I'm down to the piddling little stuff that takes time more then money so that's good. The good news is it looks like we have a way to solve what has turned into a night mare over the deed. It has to go to court. The evidence I have is solid. Its a matter of seeing if an attorney I can afford will take it. I spoke with an attorney the 4th of Sept. I'm waiting on an answer. If your a praying person , praying that this is resolved expeditiously so I can sell the house would be appreciated. The way it is now I can't even legally rent it out . The idea was rent it out and get on the water at one of the area lakes if all else fails, while I'm waiting for this other deal comes through. So far it's a catch 22, I'm between a rock and a hard place.
That's about all for now.
Sail safe but sail!
Showing posts with label yacht. Show all posts
Showing posts with label yacht. Show all posts
Monday, September 10, 2012
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
It's About Boats and Money
As some of you know, we left the area for what was supposed to be a job for a while. The job turned out to be a nightmare. The good news out of all of that is, the baby boy got his on place and is doing very well. I got back in June I think it was. Came home to a disaster and have been working on getting it all squared away. Moral of that story is when your gut says DO NOT DO SOMETHING, DO NOT DO IT!
I came back to a massive roach infestation. Fogged the house twice. The second time I used 2x the recommended amount of bombs, did the attic and under the house in the crawl space. You could not tell it was done a week later. We have a honey suckle bush out side. I found out that roaches make their nest in the roots. Guess what is going to get tore out?
We came to the conclusion that they were getting under the wood work and behind the cabinets and going out side when we sprayed and bombed. In pure retaliation, I've spent the last month going through the entire house and caulking each and every nook and cranny that exist. All of the wood work and trim is getting caulked. If I can slip a paper into it, it gets caulked. If I think any form of life, including a germ, can squeeze it's way into the slightest crack, it is getting caulked. I am seeing a dramatic improvement. A large reduction in the number of beasties is now the daily norm. I'm still seeing a few and on some days more them others . The over all numbers are dropping. I called the place I used to get my concentrated bug killer from. They don't sell it any more. Seems the feds have decided that regular people can't possibly use a product safe enough to be trusted with it. That really stinks as it was some really good stuff. That's OK, where there is a will there is a way and I found a different supplier. It's a different brand and a lot more expensive but it should work.
Have been working on the little boat off and on. I finally broke down and bought another sander. The plan is to order repair kits, extra brushes etc, this month. Have the bottom and one side done on the first rough sanding. It's looking pretty good. I Need to order more disk but that's just part of it.
Mainly the "boat orientated work" has been exploring how I'm going to earn a living while living on board full time. I've come to the conclusion none of my ideas is going to make me rich. If however, I put a bunch of small things together, they could add up to a useable amount of cash. They say if your going to write, write what you know about. I know about honey do's on the cheap, raising a multiply challenged son as a single mom and living on subsistence income level. This is marketable, especially in the present economy. There are a few other aspects I'm reasonably well versed in that ties into the part of raising a multiply challenged son, so that will fit in as well. It won't make me rich but it will all help.
One thing I have had to admit. Social networking for the self publisher is a have to. Face book I was already on. Today I did what I thought I would never do. I joined Twitter, as well as a writing hub.
There are some very interesting post on the hub. I looked up to see what I could find on sailing and was very pleasantly surprised. Add that to doing the Amazon Kindle thing, the Nook Book thing on B&N, the affiliate thing and who knows I could actually make a dollar or two. The hard part is learning how to use all these resources and keeping them straight in my mind. Just looking at all that makes me feel like I'm back in school cramming for finals!
Then there is the HAM thing. I have had getting my Ham license on my mind for years. Sailing and Ham, in my opinion just go together. Can you imagine the distance you can get on the water? I know Hams talking all over the planet to each other is no big thing. It is done all the time. It is still awe inspiring to me just thinking about it. Then there is the part about being able to send emails over HAM, not to mention the other aspects of being in touch with others while out in the middle of the big blue.
Put it all together; Yes, I have been working on my goal of living aboard and sailing all week. The part that really BITES IS I have not gotten one silly thing one on any of the boats except for a bit of sanding.
It's all good. One day at a time and when that gets to weird one thing at a time. It will all get done.
Sail safe but sail!
I came back to a massive roach infestation. Fogged the house twice. The second time I used 2x the recommended amount of bombs, did the attic and under the house in the crawl space. You could not tell it was done a week later. We have a honey suckle bush out side. I found out that roaches make their nest in the roots. Guess what is going to get tore out?
We came to the conclusion that they were getting under the wood work and behind the cabinets and going out side when we sprayed and bombed. In pure retaliation, I've spent the last month going through the entire house and caulking each and every nook and cranny that exist. All of the wood work and trim is getting caulked. If I can slip a paper into it, it gets caulked. If I think any form of life, including a germ, can squeeze it's way into the slightest crack, it is getting caulked. I am seeing a dramatic improvement. A large reduction in the number of beasties is now the daily norm. I'm still seeing a few and on some days more them others . The over all numbers are dropping. I called the place I used to get my concentrated bug killer from. They don't sell it any more. Seems the feds have decided that regular people can't possibly use a product safe enough to be trusted with it. That really stinks as it was some really good stuff. That's OK, where there is a will there is a way and I found a different supplier. It's a different brand and a lot more expensive but it should work.
Have been working on the little boat off and on. I finally broke down and bought another sander. The plan is to order repair kits, extra brushes etc, this month. Have the bottom and one side done on the first rough sanding. It's looking pretty good. I Need to order more disk but that's just part of it.
Mainly the "boat orientated work" has been exploring how I'm going to earn a living while living on board full time. I've come to the conclusion none of my ideas is going to make me rich. If however, I put a bunch of small things together, they could add up to a useable amount of cash. They say if your going to write, write what you know about. I know about honey do's on the cheap, raising a multiply challenged son as a single mom and living on subsistence income level. This is marketable, especially in the present economy. There are a few other aspects I'm reasonably well versed in that ties into the part of raising a multiply challenged son, so that will fit in as well. It won't make me rich but it will all help.
One thing I have had to admit. Social networking for the self publisher is a have to. Face book I was already on. Today I did what I thought I would never do. I joined Twitter, as well as a writing hub.
There are some very interesting post on the hub. I looked up to see what I could find on sailing and was very pleasantly surprised. Add that to doing the Amazon Kindle thing, the Nook Book thing on B&N, the affiliate thing and who knows I could actually make a dollar or two. The hard part is learning how to use all these resources and keeping them straight in my mind. Just looking at all that makes me feel like I'm back in school cramming for finals!
Then there is the HAM thing. I have had getting my Ham license on my mind for years. Sailing and Ham, in my opinion just go together. Can you imagine the distance you can get on the water? I know Hams talking all over the planet to each other is no big thing. It is done all the time. It is still awe inspiring to me just thinking about it. Then there is the part about being able to send emails over HAM, not to mention the other aspects of being in touch with others while out in the middle of the big blue.
Put it all together; Yes, I have been working on my goal of living aboard and sailing all week. The part that really BITES IS I have not gotten one silly thing one on any of the boats except for a bit of sanding.
It's all good. One day at a time and when that gets to weird one thing at a time. It will all get done.
Sail safe but sail!
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Boats and 100 degee weather
Yesterday started out kind of slow. I have been wanting to get out to the Venture and fool around but life happens. I finally decided damned the temps full speed ahead! Mostly it has been moving things around.We have been using the boat to store some stuff in light of all the drama that was happening. Since I'm stuck here, with a house I can't sell, for a while any way, the decision has been made, as painful as it is, to move the stuff back inside and stick it in a corner some where and get back to what's important to me! If I can't sell this place for a while I'm darned sure going to get this boat ready and take it ANY PLACE that will sustain sailing even if it is Lake Texhoma or one of the area lakes for the duration!
Having said that! Well it was still a good day. I got outside and in the boat. I started out right after sunset. When I finally looked at the clock, it was about 82 degrees F according to weatherbug at 3:16 AM. . The good thing about the houses immediately around me being empty is the misc noises I make fooling around late at night are not a problem as if my neighbors were really close. Now I can't exactly start up a drill or a power saw but little noises like dropping a hammer or climbing in and out of the boat are not going to give any one a sleepless night. Not having to worry about my trouble light shining into any ones bedroom window makes it nice. It's how I plan to beat the heat for the not so noisy parts any way.
Tried to pull the chain plates off. It's not happening with only one person. Have to have someone man a screw driver on the out side while I pull off nuts on the inside. Did get the measurements for backing plates. I figure to get some 3: x 3/16 inch . I'm figuring 6 feet should be enough to get that part done. Throw another 2 ft of 1/4 inch for new chain plates and I should be good. Am going to get new bolts, nuts etc so all the metals match . That and some bytal tape (spelling) and I'm good to go. I have been toying with how to do this. The voc tech school here has a class that operates a hug computer operated metal cutting machine . You see where that is going, right? Have to wait til it opens but what the heck I'm here any way may as well make the best of it. If that don't work I'll get the Dremel out and do it my self. I looked up sources for the metal . WOW can you say EXPENSIVE! If any one has a source for 316 Stainless 3/ 16" x 2" or 3/ 16 x 4",at a decent price PLEASE post it or send me an email!
Have been playing around with the idea of going ahead and saving up for the solar panel to get the wiring started, Have to get a wiring plan figured out. Its only a 22 ft boat so I'm figuring rough eye balling it , the longest run I should have is maybe 16 ft, not counting mast of course. I've got enough block to raise this gal up and drop the keel, so that is on the agenda s a definite.
Where is all this going?
The baby boy has LEFT THE BUILDING! Now that the set back is almost over, once again I am free at last! Momma's days of being Momma on a full time in house basis are OVER! We had a minor setback this last three weeks but things are getting back on track! I honestly cannot decide who this pushing your fledgling out of the nest is harder on. Yeah, at 28, since the medical issues are resolved, its time for him to be on his own. NO DOUBT about that.
What I do not get is why, once they are "on their own", when your child steps into the "goo" and ask for your help, do they seem to think that this willingness to help them sort it out, as in think it through to THEM finding a conclusion and or solution THEY CAN DO, means in THEIR OPINION, you and your assets are on call 24/ 7 all of a sudden, as if they were three again? OK, I get that it takes time for them to adjust to a new life of living on their own.. That's just a case of they have to get experience and there is only one way to get that. What I do not understand is why it suddenly becomes (in their opinion) your crisis? Can you say OY!
Parents teach your children how to plan! Make sure they have coping skills for really bad days! Teach them that THEIR LACK OF PLANNING IS NOT YOUR CRISIS! My son understands what caused the problem. He was taught the skills to cope with adversity. Some things only come with getting knocked down and pulling your self back up. This was one of those. Time will tell how long it takes for all that stuff we tell our children that they did not want to hear takes root and gets solid. The good news is at 28 he only has about a year and a half before that second coming of age that seems to kick in at 30 starts to take effect.
The good news is he has a really good distraction so now mother won't be the single most important women in his life. He found Ms. Right! I got to spend sometime getting to know her. She is a trooper! She will definitely do to ride the river with . She in not a wimp by any means. We have been talking about what I'm planing on doing with my life . At first all kinds of bad experiences were really making her anti boats. Now you KNOW that aint going to work very long around me, right? We had some talks .She seems to be slowly coming around,. Last night she informed me that being afraid of boats, sailing etc over what happened in her childhood was not sometime she was going to allow to continue,. The girl has MOXY There are very few things that make me want to climb up into someones face but, oh by howdy! I'll not go into the details as it is not my story to tell, but I would so love to keel haul or at least,put a extraordinarily large knot on someones head after hearing about the DUMB STUNT that some so called adults played on some children!.
The GREAT news is this gal is the one that has him inspired to do all that stuff men are supposed to do. Who would have thunk it! LOL
I must have done sometime right. My other son informs me he also has started a relationship with his Ms. Right. She also sounds like a trooper and a basically well grounded gal. RELIEF! Who knows maybe grand children are on the horizon? Time will tell.
well I guess that's it for now. Think I'm going to go get my tools out and ready for later when the sun goes down. I have some hardware to pull off a boat.
Sail safe but sail!
Having said that! Well it was still a good day. I got outside and in the boat. I started out right after sunset. When I finally looked at the clock, it was about 82 degrees F according to weatherbug at 3:16 AM. . The good thing about the houses immediately around me being empty is the misc noises I make fooling around late at night are not a problem as if my neighbors were really close. Now I can't exactly start up a drill or a power saw but little noises like dropping a hammer or climbing in and out of the boat are not going to give any one a sleepless night. Not having to worry about my trouble light shining into any ones bedroom window makes it nice. It's how I plan to beat the heat for the not so noisy parts any way.
Tried to pull the chain plates off. It's not happening with only one person. Have to have someone man a screw driver on the out side while I pull off nuts on the inside. Did get the measurements for backing plates. I figure to get some 3: x 3/16 inch . I'm figuring 6 feet should be enough to get that part done. Throw another 2 ft of 1/4 inch for new chain plates and I should be good. Am going to get new bolts, nuts etc so all the metals match . That and some bytal tape (spelling) and I'm good to go. I have been toying with how to do this. The voc tech school here has a class that operates a hug computer operated metal cutting machine . You see where that is going, right? Have to wait til it opens but what the heck I'm here any way may as well make the best of it. If that don't work I'll get the Dremel out and do it my self. I looked up sources for the metal . WOW can you say EXPENSIVE! If any one has a source for 316 Stainless 3/ 16" x 2" or 3/ 16 x 4",at a decent price PLEASE post it or send me an email!
Have been playing around with the idea of going ahead and saving up for the solar panel to get the wiring started, Have to get a wiring plan figured out. Its only a 22 ft boat so I'm figuring rough eye balling it , the longest run I should have is maybe 16 ft, not counting mast of course. I've got enough block to raise this gal up and drop the keel, so that is on the agenda s a definite.
Where is all this going?
The baby boy has LEFT THE BUILDING! Now that the set back is almost over, once again I am free at last! Momma's days of being Momma on a full time in house basis are OVER! We had a minor setback this last three weeks but things are getting back on track! I honestly cannot decide who this pushing your fledgling out of the nest is harder on. Yeah, at 28, since the medical issues are resolved, its time for him to be on his own. NO DOUBT about that.
What I do not get is why, once they are "on their own", when your child steps into the "goo" and ask for your help, do they seem to think that this willingness to help them sort it out, as in think it through to THEM finding a conclusion and or solution THEY CAN DO, means in THEIR OPINION, you and your assets are on call 24/ 7 all of a sudden, as if they were three again? OK, I get that it takes time for them to adjust to a new life of living on their own.. That's just a case of they have to get experience and there is only one way to get that. What I do not understand is why it suddenly becomes (in their opinion) your crisis? Can you say OY!
Parents teach your children how to plan! Make sure they have coping skills for really bad days! Teach them that THEIR LACK OF PLANNING IS NOT YOUR CRISIS! My son understands what caused the problem. He was taught the skills to cope with adversity. Some things only come with getting knocked down and pulling your self back up. This was one of those. Time will tell how long it takes for all that stuff we tell our children that they did not want to hear takes root and gets solid. The good news is at 28 he only has about a year and a half before that second coming of age that seems to kick in at 30 starts to take effect.
The good news is he has a really good distraction so now mother won't be the single most important women in his life. He found Ms. Right! I got to spend sometime getting to know her. She is a trooper! She will definitely do to ride the river with . She in not a wimp by any means. We have been talking about what I'm planing on doing with my life . At first all kinds of bad experiences were really making her anti boats. Now you KNOW that aint going to work very long around me, right? We had some talks .She seems to be slowly coming around,. Last night she informed me that being afraid of boats, sailing etc over what happened in her childhood was not sometime she was going to allow to continue,. The girl has MOXY There are very few things that make me want to climb up into someones face but, oh by howdy! I'll not go into the details as it is not my story to tell, but I would so love to keel haul or at least,put a extraordinarily large knot on someones head after hearing about the DUMB STUNT that some so called adults played on some children!.
The GREAT news is this gal is the one that has him inspired to do all that stuff men are supposed to do. Who would have thunk it! LOL
I must have done sometime right. My other son informs me he also has started a relationship with his Ms. Right. She also sounds like a trooper and a basically well grounded gal. RELIEF! Who knows maybe grand children are on the horizon? Time will tell.
well I guess that's it for now. Think I'm going to go get my tools out and ready for later when the sun goes down. I have some hardware to pull off a boat.
Sail safe but sail!
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Options, Revenues and Providers
In the course of being part of several sailing and boat forums I've picked up a lot of learning these past couple of years. A lot of insurance info has been on the boards lately. Since eventually this is something I am gong to check out for my self I decided to put a page dedicated to just marine insurance. It occurred to me to open this up for others to post providers they know for all to have handy in one place by using comments. As I was posting that page it occurred to me adding a page for other products those who have already been there and done that have used satisfactorily. I decided to open up the page of products I have used to others to post their favorite BOAT RELATED items, using the comments section.
Revenues. We all need to eat. I am opening this site up to advertising. If this offends please forgive. I figure it is not going to put a huge amount of money into the sailing kitty, but every little bit helps.
PLEASE DO NOT just start clicking thu thinking your helping me if you have no interest in a product. It hurts the site marketability. If however you are interested in a particular product, please do so. The site only pays if you actually buy something from a link. Also please be advised that google does collect information when you click thru.
Revenues. We all need to eat. I am opening this site up to advertising. If this offends please forgive. I figure it is not going to put a huge amount of money into the sailing kitty, but every little bit helps.
PLEASE DO NOT just start clicking thu thinking your helping me if you have no interest in a product. It hurts the site marketability. If however you are interested in a particular product, please do so. The site only pays if you actually buy something from a link. Also please be advised that google does collect information when you click thru.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
FINALLY!!!! It's About BOATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
While I am doing the hopefully FINAL sorting of the stuff in the house, I'm working on the Challenger as my sanity keeper. The Venture is still in the drive way but she is full of stuff I have yet to sort through before I put her up on blocks to drop the keel. This is how I'm keeping my sanity in the mean while. Yeah I'm getting flack from some of the guys over the method and materials I'm using. By their standards and expectations, I'm cheating like an erring husband on how I am doing this. For this reason I make an open and honest offer to those who feel very strongly about how I should be using the two part epoxy on these little fixes. Please feel free to shop and order the materials you think I should be using and ship them to me. I will be more then happy to use them and even give you a blurp as donator. Email me for my shipping address.
Having said that, on to the boat. If you remember I picked this up last summer with the idea of fixing it up for my son. Well he is on his own, several states away and I'm not about to carry it THAT far on the top of my car. I now have another toy to play with . You can tell I'm just heart broken over that development, right? :)~
Finally got her up on blocks to work on.
Sorry about he angle but had us use my cell phone and that aint gonna take a close shot straight on.
Initial work to be done.
There are some gouges and dings along the keel. This one is the worse with out actually being a full fledged breach.
Then there is this one which is a full blown hull breach.
A close up of breach.
Then there is the transom. The story that goes with boat is it got hit by a string lawn mower TWICE.
Been busy sanding her down. Wouldn't you know the sander went kapluie. I have go to learn how to replace bushings in these sanders! I do however have a LOW COST idea on how I am going to temporarily solve that little problem. All I have to do is go digging in the shed which is another spot every thing is stashed in for now. GRRRRR I'll let you know how it turns out AFTER I try it.If it is successful. This idea is so nutty, I'm not telling in advance.
Now some of you guys are going to hate this but I've been using JB weld products for years quite successfully. I've saved TONS of money using their line. They make water weld and I got some. So far I have 2 1/2 tubes invested. Beats what epoxy cost. Yes, I thought about getting some filler and using the polyester epoxy. It cost 18.00 plus a can and I have ZERO experience using that kind of set up. Before I do it on a boat I actually hope to be in the water with THIS SUMMER or what is left of it, I went with the water weld. It's about SAILING remember?
In no particular order here are the current pics.
That's all for now.
Sail safe but SAIL!!!!!!!!
Having said that, on to the boat. If you remember I picked this up last summer with the idea of fixing it up for my son. Well he is on his own, several states away and I'm not about to carry it THAT far on the top of my car. I now have another toy to play with . You can tell I'm just heart broken over that development, right? :)~
Finally got her up on blocks to work on.
Sorry about he angle but had us use my cell phone and that aint gonna take a close shot straight on.
Initial work to be done.
There are some gouges and dings along the keel. This one is the worse with out actually being a full fledged breach.
Then there is this one which is a full blown hull breach.
A close up of breach.
Then there is the transom. The story that goes with boat is it got hit by a string lawn mower TWICE.
Been busy sanding her down. Wouldn't you know the sander went kapluie. I have go to learn how to replace bushings in these sanders! I do however have a LOW COST idea on how I am going to temporarily solve that little problem. All I have to do is go digging in the shed which is another spot every thing is stashed in for now. GRRRRR I'll let you know how it turns out AFTER I try it.If it is successful. This idea is so nutty, I'm not telling in advance.
Now some of you guys are going to hate this but I've been using JB weld products for years quite successfully. I've saved TONS of money using their line. They make water weld and I got some. So far I have 2 1/2 tubes invested. Beats what epoxy cost. Yes, I thought about getting some filler and using the polyester epoxy. It cost 18.00 plus a can and I have ZERO experience using that kind of set up. Before I do it on a boat I actually hope to be in the water with THIS SUMMER or what is left of it, I went with the water weld. It's about SAILING remember?
In no particular order here are the current pics.
 |
| This is where the sander died . GRRRRR |
 |
| Almost partially done with the first sanding . |
 |
| Remember that really nasty hull breach? |
That's all for now.
Sail safe but SAIL!!!!!!!!
Friday, December 30, 2011
Logic of a group
I posted a question about cells and providers on one of my groups. It has a rather lively discussion going on. That's the god thing about yahoo groups . You ask a question and learn more then you ever thought you would know. Some really good ideas came out of it for sailing and getting things done on the cheap. This is one of those make it work type of ideas that make me glad I found this group. Thanks Andrew
"LMAO you reminded me about the log. On my last sharpie i had rigged a copper toilet float with an eye screw and i could pull a string and drop it at the bow and time when it passed the stern to calculate my speed. Crude but it worked well. Especially Nice if you have a boat of even length like 25 or 30 feet."
"LMAO you reminded me about the log. On my last sharpie i had rigged a copper toilet float with an eye screw and i could pull a string and drop it at the bow and time when it passed the stern to calculate my speed. Crude but it worked well. Especially Nice if you have a boat of even length like 25 or 30 feet."
Monday, October 31, 2011
Polyester and Wood
All over the Internet I see people really putting down using polyester resin for different projects. Now granted the expensive epoxy may be better, I would not know, I have never used it. If I ever build my own wooden boat, Id probably use the 2 part epoxy just because it is supposed to be better wetting . What I do know is after a LOT of research I found something that I'm really happy with for the current application.
It started out with the platform under the porta pottie being in really UGLY condition. I took it out ( previous post) and put cloth and one straight coat of poly on the bottom side. It looks terrible. NO one but me is ever going to see it , so for a newbie project where I'm experimenting I think it will be OK. It not like it is going to be intentionally immersed. What was there originally only had paint on it so anything is an improvement.
include photo here of pottie support
Rearranging the flotation foam in the v berth and turning part of that space into storage meant taking the wood off of the V berth. I used the original wood to make my pattern . Again since I'm just learning this, I started with the under side of the tip of the wood.
All things considered, it does not look to terribly bad for a rank beginner. It has a spot that I honestly have no idea why but it points up like a pin. I have this notion that a bug flew onto it and left that point when it flew off. The poly must have been really close to dry since it is still here and the bug or what ever it was did not stick. You can't see any of the cloth in it except for a few spots around the edge so I think I must have done alright. Much better then not pre-coating it,. That has places all over you can see the weave of the cloth.
I diluted the poly down with acetone. I used a 4:1 mix, then a 2:1 mix then a 1.5: 1 mix. My hand slipped on the last one. Then I did the straight poly coat. They say when you have enough layers of the dilutes on it won't change color from absorption any more. That is how you tell you are done.
How you do it is you pour your resin into your measure bowl, add whatever proportion of acetone into it then add enough hardener for the total amount. In the 4: 1 I added 35 drops of hardener just like i would have on a straight 5 ounces of resin. Add acetone to resin , stir to mix it up good, them add the appropriate amount of hardener and mix REALLY WELL. If you don't mix it good enough you will have a mess, Your cured project will have spots that are going to be tacky and you have to clean up the mess with acetone and redo those areas..
By the time I got done mixing the first batch it was a no brainer I was going to need more hardener. I called Bondo. Come to find out they are now owned by 3 M. ( so what else is new?) I asked the guy could I use the hardeners I can get locally with this water proof resin. Remember the stuff that was donated way back in the beginning? While there is NO WAY I would trust simply "water proof" on a rudder or any thing that is under the water line, this seem like a great application. Its water proof so it should not be negatively affected being in a boat.
The tech looked it up. As long as it is a BONDO OR 3 M LIQUID HARDENER or a MEK LIQUID Hardener I was good to go , so off I went down to Oreilly's to get some more. The tech made a BIG DEAL out of making absolutely sure I DID NOT get creme hardener. A small 1 point something ounce bottle was 6 dollars USD and some change. It broke seven dollars by the time tax was added.
insert photo of resin and hardeners here.
If you notice on the pic the edges look REALLY raged. That was my fault.
I have this old table I use that believe it or not was once a really expensive dining room set. I put some cheap plastic drop cloth over it and the plastic moved like a California earth quake. It was all over the place. That fringe is where the resin hardened/ cured to the plastic.
Some close up shots of the edge . It's a REALLY good thing polyester resin does not stick to plastic or I would be in big trouble.
As you can see in these pics, the resin got under the plastic. The formula I have got figured out OK. My technique needs serious improvement.
If I was trying to make a 3 d fiberglass seascape or a grass scape with little fingers of the glass pointing up one layer in front of another, I think the "do it on plastic" would do a great job.
The good news is except for needing to be sanded thinner to fit in the spot. I may have a perfect seal along the edges in most places except for the flat edge on the bottom .
Time to use the Dremel!!!!!!!
It started out with the platform under the porta pottie being in really UGLY condition. I took it out ( previous post) and put cloth and one straight coat of poly on the bottom side. It looks terrible. NO one but me is ever going to see it , so for a newbie project where I'm experimenting I think it will be OK. It not like it is going to be intentionally immersed. What was there originally only had paint on it so anything is an improvement.
include photo here of pottie support
Rearranging the flotation foam in the v berth and turning part of that space into storage meant taking the wood off of the V berth. I used the original wood to make my pattern . Again since I'm just learning this, I started with the under side of the tip of the wood.
All things considered, it does not look to terribly bad for a rank beginner. It has a spot that I honestly have no idea why but it points up like a pin. I have this notion that a bug flew onto it and left that point when it flew off. The poly must have been really close to dry since it is still here and the bug or what ever it was did not stick. You can't see any of the cloth in it except for a few spots around the edge so I think I must have done alright. Much better then not pre-coating it,. That has places all over you can see the weave of the cloth.
I diluted the poly down with acetone. I used a 4:1 mix, then a 2:1 mix then a 1.5: 1 mix. My hand slipped on the last one. Then I did the straight poly coat. They say when you have enough layers of the dilutes on it won't change color from absorption any more. That is how you tell you are done.
How you do it is you pour your resin into your measure bowl, add whatever proportion of acetone into it then add enough hardener for the total amount. In the 4: 1 I added 35 drops of hardener just like i would have on a straight 5 ounces of resin. Add acetone to resin , stir to mix it up good, them add the appropriate amount of hardener and mix REALLY WELL. If you don't mix it good enough you will have a mess, Your cured project will have spots that are going to be tacky and you have to clean up the mess with acetone and redo those areas..
By the time I got done mixing the first batch it was a no brainer I was going to need more hardener. I called Bondo. Come to find out they are now owned by 3 M. ( so what else is new?) I asked the guy could I use the hardeners I can get locally with this water proof resin. Remember the stuff that was donated way back in the beginning? While there is NO WAY I would trust simply "water proof" on a rudder or any thing that is under the water line, this seem like a great application. Its water proof so it should not be negatively affected being in a boat.
The tech looked it up. As long as it is a BONDO OR 3 M LIQUID HARDENER or a MEK LIQUID Hardener I was good to go , so off I went down to Oreilly's to get some more. The tech made a BIG DEAL out of making absolutely sure I DID NOT get creme hardener. A small 1 point something ounce bottle was 6 dollars USD and some change. It broke seven dollars by the time tax was added.
insert photo of resin and hardeners here.
If you notice on the pic the edges look REALLY raged. That was my fault.
I have this old table I use that believe it or not was once a really expensive dining room set. I put some cheap plastic drop cloth over it and the plastic moved like a California earth quake. It was all over the place. That fringe is where the resin hardened/ cured to the plastic.
Some close up shots of the edge . It's a REALLY good thing polyester resin does not stick to plastic or I would be in big trouble.
As you can see in these pics, the resin got under the plastic. The formula I have got figured out OK. My technique needs serious improvement.
If I was trying to make a 3 d fiberglass seascape or a grass scape with little fingers of the glass pointing up one layer in front of another, I think the "do it on plastic" would do a great job.
The good news is except for needing to be sanded thinner to fit in the spot. I may have a perfect seal along the edges in most places except for the flat edge on the bottom .
Time to use the Dremel!!!!!!!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
It is FINALLY About THE BOAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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| Original as delivered |
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| Tore out wood, removed flotation foam. It was just big blocks of foam thrown any which way that had a LOT of empty space in between the chunks. I reinstalled it more into one solid block. Made an extra foot or so of storage room all the way across the aft end of the v berth. Yes, I used canned expanding foam to lock it into place. The experiment I did several months back says this particular brand of foam does not soak up water after several week in a glass of water on the sealed , non cut side. Since there are no cuts in the expanding foam and since this is a coastal cruiser at best and WILL NOT be out in blue water, there should not be a problem. Since I have reinstalled all of the origami foam and and more, the flotation level should be greater. . |
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| Good shot showing the new storage space I will have under the v berth. The thought occurs this would be a great place to put a couple of small water tanks |
In no particular order here are a lot of the photos I've taken since she was delivered last winter. Sorry about possible duplicates from previous post.
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definitely need to rebuild sink
Lots of sandiug left to do. Under side of deck plate hull area needs to be sanded and painted. Lots of tiny spaces. I am really glad I found a set of various sized sanding drums that should fit quite nicely.
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| I soo wish I could remember what that board goes to!!!! |
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| Bow hatch still needs sanding, painting and two new hinges |
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The one spot that is actually done. Port around sink. as long as you don't look up past the shot, LOL.  Original shot of inside
Current inside as of 10/01/11
Did I mention don't look UP?
Pop top is off and in the yard being sanded for repainting.
Slow but sure she is starting to look better inside, one spot at at time.  Close up of all the fun I am having getting into the tight spots to sand. Port side window area.  Porta potti goes here. Talk about a tight fit, but you can actually sit down as long as your careful to make sure you have your self balanced. The Pop Top      Starboard bow wall  Port bow wall  Sanding out stress cracks in gelcoat . Have 4 quarts of white Rustoleum marine paint at Ace Hardware I need to pick up. The sticker shock was not to bad. Only 17.00 a quart USD. Was cheaper then I expected considering the price of any thing remotely considered to be a specialty item around here puts it through the roof. No shipping charges since I had it delivered to the store. Cant say the same for the bottom paint though. Rustoleum makes a bottom paint .It comes in Black or blue.,Trouble is I have to go to el reno store to get it. DO not remember if it was Ace or the true value. Either way the customer service lady was really sweet and mentioned pettit does more colors. When I get time Ill check them out.  That's all for now. Next boat related focus as planned is me continuing to sand and paint the pop top and interior of boat while the guys are finishing interior of house. Once we finish the big jobs still left to do on the house, it is all hands on deck so we can lift the boat to drop the keel.. |
Thursday, September 22, 2011
What I (we) did during my summer "vacation"
Some Misc Pics that never got uploaded:
June started out with 105 degrees and stayed that way until Sept, which surprisingly brought cooler temps. Needless to say not a lot done on boats but wow what we got done in house is great!
In no particular order......
In no particular order......
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| Before shot of ceiling, Wood stove smoked up a bit and ruined ceiling paint., |
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| No home remodeling is complete until someone puts their foot through the ceiling |
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| Oh the joy of remodeling a house while your trying to actually live in it. |
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