May 2007

BOAT The varnish work is slowly continuing. I got the seat on the pulpit done and the motor mount on the back of the boat is going to get one more coat. Actually I am using Sikkens "Cetol" instead of varnish on the outside of the boat. I never use Cetol on all of it though. I always put varnish on one piece of wood. It seems that the varnish specialists always say that they would never use Cetol because it does not give the natural varnish color to the wood. Well, about that time I tell them that there is one piece of wood that has varnish and the rest is Cetol. I politely ask them to show me the varnished piece. I even show them the area down to 3 feet of its location. It sure stops a heated discussion. Oh, why Cetol? Its easy to work with, requires no sanding between coats, last long, etc..

Nancy has completed replacing the clear plastic on the back of the cockpit enclosure. She will be replacing some more in about 3 more of the panels. It is turning out great and her Sailrite sewing machine is at peace with her. The machine is a heavy duty one for canvas and things. It was going through 4 layers with no problems.

I'm getting more of the last minute supplies from West Marine, extra zincs and thing like that. We have set a date to leave port on our cruising. July 14th is our departure time to head north to Maine. We will be going up the Bay, through a canal into the Delaware Bay, up past New Jersey and on to New York. From there it will be up the East River through New York and out into Long Island Sound and up to Maine.

THE BAY Just saw this old sailboat on the Bay last week. Loved it. Both Nancy and I love the character boats. This one had plenty of it.

PARTY Our next door neighbors Sam and Sharon invited us for a party on their Grand Banks. Since they come out on weekends, get on their boat and leave, I figured that if they were spending an evening in the slip, it must be a formal occasion. Great evening.

Have a great Week end.

So goes the Bay

May 12^th, 2007 The wi-fi is back and we have internet connection. It is free from the Marina. Good job folks.

We had a Birthday party for Nancy onboard Steve and Carlie's boat. Carlie had purchased a new Margarita Machine/blender to replace the blender she had. And of course the girls had to try it out before the party.

Steve and I baked the cake. After many hours of blood, sweat and tears, this is how it ended up.

As I was taking this picture, the fire alarm above the cake went off. She had a great time.

At one time, there were 20 people INSIDE the boat. Here is some of the crew drinking their 9^th Margarita. Look at the smiles.

BOATING I have started varnishing the exterior wood (hate it) and Nancy is sewing screens for our enclosure. We will have one screen on the Port and one on the Starboard side of the helm with a larger screen in the center of the dodger. Now when we anchor out the breeze will come through the dodger and out the sides keeping us cool and bug free. Our water maker is not back yet. I will call them next week and find out what the problem is. We sold the radar, so it is off the list. Many more things to go. The engine and generator oil has been changed and filters changed the same time. The list keeps getting smaller.

Steve and Carlie took their 54 foot Mason out in the Bay. Carlie felt that she was on Lake Texoma so she put her cowboy hat on.