Trip 60 - Sunday - Jan 19th 2009

Made a quick trip to see if the cradle broke and Island Sunset tipped over. I was greatly relieved, when I got there, to find it had not.

I spent the afternoon into the evening, measuring and dreaming and fixing a couple things.

I am going to relocate the battery box, inside the engine compartment, where it will be completely out of the way, and where it should be.

I also found, the new water tank I located -will- fit in the V-Berth in front of the holding tank for the head, and, give me more storage space under the galley.

 

First off, it is not a question of "What is wrong with this picture?", but one of "What in this world, is -right- with this picture?".

Minus 20 degrees, light snow, five o'clock in the afternoon, and ...

"WHY???"

Speaking for myself, I really need to find someone (very) professional to talk with, for a long, long time.

 

A blueprint of the new tank. Lotsa room up front for it and some space left over. Marcia will enjoy the new storage space this creates. I plan on making drawers under the galley. I believe this is the match for the holding tank.

 

Island Sunset is covered with blue plastic. This creates an ethereal feeling below. I forgot the Canon camera, and used the cellphone for these.

The white dot below is the tube for the prop shaft. I happened to line it up to the camera when I created this image.

 

The ladder chained to The Boate and the doorway. Not much room, but, I do manage to crawl in there.

 

 

+++++

 

For those from Loma Linde that have been asking how do I get into a boat that is covered, and so high off the ground, I thought I would simplify their mystery.

I park the car. Unlock the ladder and shovel - if some of the white powder that falls from the sky is present, we call it "snow". I use the shovel, a kind of large spoon with a long handle, and move it away. Then I set up the ladder, crawl up and using the zipper, open the "door". Brace myself and crawl in.

Now, wasn't that easy?

 

Note the chain to secure everything, and me, to the side of the boat.

 

I made a cardboard template the size of the side of the new water tank. I need to know if that will fit. All the other dimensions look very good.

If it fits, I will cut out the "tub" leaving the lip and fit the new water tank. Need more storage? There will be some right in front of the new tank.

I will use any flat scraps cut from the interior parts to make covers for the holes here and there that show. Drill 3-4 holes, some screws, and all will be okay.

 

The cardboard template.

 

Yes! Lotsa room. Now to get it on order sometime soon.

 

Here is where the galley sets and the blue tank is the water tank. It extends under the bench to the green edge of the towel. That area will be very useful for storage.

 

Closer look.

At the beginning of the year, one fills the tank with water and then adds a little bleach (one cup per 15-20 gallon). Let it bubble for a while and then, flush it out. Fill, flush, fill, flush, fill. On an ocean, we would add a little iodine etc to kill any bugs as this is what we will drink. Inland, us landlubbers use it for the dishes and rinsing the bilge and washing our hands now and then.

Well, time to move on. I am going to start consolidating all my notes and scribbles onto index cards and make them legible and such. Then, start making alot of things for Island Sunset.

Later ...