Picture updates - Cabin overhead
First off, the cabin liner in Katie Marie is very dull - I don't think it's been polished in *years*. I'm using 3M's Marine Fiberglass Restorer and Cleaner and doing a section of the overhead every day. This pic shows the difference the stuff makes, and it is quite easy to use (except for the "overhead" part - which is a great shoulder and neck workout... ;) ). Obviously, the left side is not yet done, while the area to the right has been. Big difference, eh? :) I'm glad to see it shining up so well.
http://liquid-epiphany.com/images/ph...G_2582_web.JPG
The new (temporary) icebox
Here is the genius bit of craftmanship you have been wondering about. I hate to put these photos up, and make Ebb's work look so, well, unfinished, but here we go... :D
"Technical discussion" follows the photos...
Here's the new box -
http://liquid-epiphany.com/images/ph...G_2583_web.JPG
and here's a slightly different perspective which shows its size better, and how it sits in relation to the rest of the interior -
http://liquid-epiphany.com/images/ph...G_2584_web.JPG
here with the lid open -
http://liquid-epiphany.com/images/ph...G_2585_web.JPG
and last, looking down inside -
http://liquid-epiphany.com/images/ph...G_2586_web.JPG
I made the box simply and easily, because I knew I'd probably be remaking the box. :) I will be remaking it (a bit smaller), but I also made it functional since, as a liveaboard, I need to be able to keep the bee... um, soda (yeah, that's it, "soda") cold, along with cold cuts and bread, etc..., so it is a "working" prototype.
I used 1" thick sheet foam from a hardware store, and a radiant heat barrier material sandwiched between the outermost layer of foam and the 2nd layer. The 3rd, innermost layer of foam I added a week after the rest, after testing out to see how well just 2" of foam did. 3" works *much* better, so I may even go to 4" in the final version. The construction is simple - I cut the foam with a blade, and staggered the corner joints, sealing them with good old duct tape at every layer. I did not get too involved in the lid; the final version will have more than 1" of foam. For now, I am using a "floating inner lid" of 1" foam and some of the radiant barrier, placing it directly on top of the foodstuffs inside. I'm using the large (approx. 9" square, 1.5" thick) refreezable blue ice substitute thingamajingers, and am getting 4 days of cold from 2 of them inside the box. This is much less volume than a bag of ice, I'd probably get more time using an 8# bag of ice, but thats expensive sorta (although less so than it was, since the extra foam gives the box longer legs...).
I will do a drawing with the dimensions on it, and post that later (in a few days).
Last of todays pic series...
Katie Marie's previous owner is a paraplegic, and had bolted a car racing seat to the cockpit seat so that it would aid him with lateral stability when underway. It was a quick job, the holes were only sealed with 42/5200, and as a result, I had water penetration there. I drilled a series of exploratory holes to find the extent of the wetness some time back (the big hole led to the many outlying smaller ones), then kept them covered and let the project rest until such time as the weather permitted me to open the bad area up and let it dry. Here are my test holes:
http://liquid-epiphany.com/images/ph...7/IMG_2740.JPG
The current hot spell is giving us a couple days of no-rain-possible, so this morn I started cutting after I got that first cup of joe into my gullet. It was bad, but not as bad as it could have been. I was really surprised by how well the skins were still bonded to the core, even though it was wet. I was also surprised to find that at least parts of our boats are cored with plywood. The upper glass skin is almost 1/4" thick in this area, and cutting it was no easy chore, and neither was getting the skin off. It took 2 BIG screwdrivers as levers, and a hammer to tap them in to break the skin free. The skin came off in 2 pieces; one over the plywood, and the other over balsa. The skin broke along the line of CSM which separated the two areas. Also broken were about 5 Dremel cutting disks, one Dremel 1/4" grinding disk (used as a cutter when the little ones just weren't working), and, worst of all, one blade of my grandpas old pocket knife, which led to the retrieval and subsequent usage of the 2 overlarge screwdrivers... :)
http://liquid-epiphany.com/images/ph...7/IMG_2743.JPG
There's a real mish-mash of materials used in this area, and no shortage of what looks to be inadequately wet-out cloth and CSM. Still, it's incredibly strong.
http://liquid-epiphany.com/images/ph...7/IMG_2745.JPG
It's drying now, I hope to get some epoxy and microballoons in there before the chance for rain comes back. Will post more shots as the project continues...
your boat has cf numbers.....
meaning it was registered in california.how did it get to south carolina,looks like a nice marina...coulndt help but notice several empty slips....you mentioned you live aboard...where is this marina located...I am always looking for someplace liveaboard friendly
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Houdini, #407-makes it into the Gulf
Been awhile my good brethren of the noble Ariel. Attached are some pics to do the Ariel devotee proud. Note the Executive Officer's relaxed disposition--nothwithstanding her maiden voyage into the sometimes nasty Gulf of Mexico. Note also the Sea-Dog, Nick, who, at one point decided to have words with the porpoises. Note above all else that lavish varnish work.
Waterlines, etc on Houdini
Thanks all for the compliments--Ebb: the water line is where it is as a function of the previous owner's decisions. I just let it stand. I suppose it is a bit high, but the boat has made well-laden trips to Louisiana, all over the Texas coast, and at least one long haul to Belize. I have never gotten her loaded-up enough to settle that extra 2 inches or so.
Mr. Durant--if ye like varnish, ye might have more soulful satisfaction to come. Just finished a total rework of the interior, but haven't put the photos in. All interior teak has a mirror finish--just so the Executive Officer could avoid the trouble of finding a mirror in the morning. :eek:
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I knew someone had done it...
This will interest Ebb and maybe TonyG, as we've discussed this idea...
Cutting the main bulkhead away to open up the interior.
Well, there is a Bristol 27 on eBay right now where the owner has done that, to a degree. Here's one pic, there are a few more (but no really good ones) in the ad - link follows...
eBay B27
Mike - still thinking about that anchor locker. :)