Month: June 2015

While I still have to adjust my transmission linkage so I can reach reverse properly, I did manage to splash Amalia last week and get her over to slip 114 for more work, preparation and chilling out.

I don’t know why I have always had so much of an aversion to making lists.  I don’t have a problem with using checklists as a pilot, I occasionally make a list of errands to be run and the like – but sitting down and making plans by generating an intimidating list of what needs to be done, when and in what order – is something that does not come natural to someone like me who is free-form and non-linear in my approach to accomplishing tasks.

If you notice any of the items on this list with strikethroughs, this means that at some time before I left, I actually accomplished this item.  They don’t all have to be done prior to departure, but the more the better!

Still, I know that the time has come to create a huge lists of tasks that have to be done (and those that can wait to be done on days of rest enroute) before I go mastless across Lake Michigan to Chicago in 12 weeks or so.

While I am fully aware that making this list may serve to convince me that this can’t all be done (maybe it can’t??), I think that some more organization will help me to focus on what time I have available and get things done.

In no particular order, but realistically summarizing what needs to happen by mid-September, I need to:

1. Adjust my transmission linkage and verify that everything is working properly.
2. Install my new water pump impeller.
3. Mount my two huge battery boxes and 4 6V batteries to create a new house load bank in the stern of the boat.
4. Finish my installation of the davits.
5. Install the 140W solar panel and bring wiring inside the boat.
6. Wire to install charge controller.
7. Find best installation for inverter and connect up.
8. Decide on installation location for Engel refrigerator and wire up 12V and 110V power sources.
9. Pull all hoses off water tank and replace plumbing to head and galley sinks.
10. Install outside fill for water tank.
11. Procure and install washdown pump system.
12. Strip stern area from old traveller track to transom, sand, tape and paint smooth color.
13. Use Kiwi-grip to do non-skid area there.
14. Permanently install the (temporarily installed) access hatches.
15. Procure and install Sirius antenna in good location.
16. Build one or two mast pulpits out of 1″ tubing to temporarily serve as lash-down point for 4 jerry cans and possible location for hailing horn.  Run wiring to hailing horn from radio.
17. Find location to install 4 or 8′ fiberglass secondary antenna to use as primary when mast is not aboard or rigged.  Run wiring to cabin.
18. Purchase another identical bow roller and build another mount platform.    (After installing new Rocna on existing bow roller, decided that backup would be Fortress or Danforth and no roller needed.)
19. Purchase 30′ of 5/16″ chain for bow anchors.  Move old chain to use with stern anchor.
20. Using wiring coming from mast stub, rig up anchor light and auxiliary lighting to be used when mast is down/not present.
21. Strip bow to forward coach house, paint glossy and kiwi-grip non-skid.
22. Strip and or sand coach house top deck and sides.  Paint gloss and kiwi-grip non-skid.
23. Kiwi-grip deck aft to end of coach house.
24. Sand, strip and paint/kiwi-grip cockpit.
25. Make arrangements to bundle up mast and ship to Mobile.
26. Investigate adding small 12-18 gallon fuel tank forward for more fuel range and ballast against weight of second house bank.
27. Plumb sink drain from head sink to tee in through hull which supplies input flushing water to head.
28. Relocate tiller pilot from cockpit seat to cantilever bracket and wire interface to Navico chartplotter.
29. Make new cockpit cushions.
30. Replace all 110V wiring.  Add outlets for use on shore power or inverter only in galley, head, main saloon and quarter berth.
31. Make permanent installation of Standard Horizon radio including remote and hailing speaker.  Install MMSI and verify operation.
32. Install fuel gage in new tank and connect to gage on cockpit instrument panel.
33. Install Bimini and make zippered connection to dodger.
34. Make removable sun screens and weather curtains for aft portion of bimini.
35. Re-do interior main saloon cushions.
36. Install new counter top laminate on table, head sink and galley area.
37. Install new 110V/alcohol stove and create storage area behind.
38. Survey kitchen equipment and purchase any missing items.
39. Determine location for microwave with two available plugs to allow occasional use on inverter.  Enable use of coffee port and electric tea kettle with the same outlets

While this is not a comprehensive list of everything that needs to be done, it is a good attempt to create some organization to the potential chaos of the summer and actually start the Loop in September.

Wish me luck!

After adding my dinghy davits (upcoming post on installation), I decided to replace my Mercury Hypalon dinghy with heavy 15 Hp outboard with something smaller and lighter.

Posting the boat, motor and trailer on Craigslist resulted in a quick sale to a sailor in Manistee who met me down in Muskegon last Saturday and handed over the full purchase price!

Since there was a $200. mail in rebate from WM on the purchase of an inflatable and outboard motor, (and after verifying that my employee purchase would qualify for the rebate), I ordered a smaller wood floor sportboat and one of the new propane-powered Lehr 2.5 HP outboards.