Changing seasons

The weather has been rainy for almost 2 weeks now. I had the opportunity to climb onboard and lay out my dodger base which is going to be made from ipe wood. It will mount onto the teak runners on the sides companion way hatch. So now I can begin the designing process.

I also checked the bilge and found it with just a little water inside. I know the boat leaked from the deck someplace during the rain last season. Now with the boat in the driveway, I can begin the sealing process of all deck items and then the rubber guard along the sides where the top and bottom are joined. I will run a small bead of clear silicon along the top of the rubber to make sure the water isn't coming in from there. The life line sanctions and some other hardware on deck will have to be checked and sealed.

I also have to get a replacement Windex vane as my aVane was stolen or we lost it on the way home from the marina last year. It wasn't there when we got home and I never checked to see if it was there when I took her home. I would also like to get a new VHF transceiver with DSC this season. I figure if I buy one piece of electronics per season, eventually I should be in good shape. I now have the Midland handheld VHF and two handheld GPS units. A new radio will require a new antenna.

There is so much on my list, I can't see me finishing by May. I think some of the stuff I will do once I get her in the water. The sewing of the sail in a couple places will have to wait until I get them on the boat. I'll sit in the cockpit one day and sew them up (While I have a fishing pole out the back.).

The move of spring

The first day of spring brought some nice warm temperatures. This was the sign to clear a path and move the boat from deep in the back yard to the driveway. This will make working on it so much easier. Once I moved her into the driveway, I removed her cover to find a dirty boat underneath. I guess the wind blew dust under the cover and it settled in spots on the deck. There were a few areas where there was black mildew starting. I pulled out my great boat brush, mixed up a spray bottle of cleaner and gave her a quick wash down with the pressure nozzle of the hose and some scrubbing. I checked the bilge and it was still pretty empty. We have had rain since I moved the boat, so I will have to get the power on in the boat to put the bilge on automatic.

I spoke with my first mate this weekend and discussed fixing the lose seam I have in both sails. We both agreed that it would be easier to fix on the boat during a calm day, than unrolling them in the back yard and having to roll them up again. So sail repair will wait until she is in the water.

I also moved the dinghy and placed her on top on cider blocks so I can begin stripping the bottom for a layer of new fiberglass. I don't expect this to be too troublesome of a job. Once this is done, the dinghy should leak no more.

My list looks so big right now. There is a page and a half of work to complete in the next 5 weeks. I will have to spend some time each evening, plus I will take a few days off to give me a chance to really chop away at the list. We'll keep you all posted as we progress.

Finding the time

It has been a tough winter so far and today we are suppose to be in the 50's. It won't be long before Lil Provo is moved from the back yard to the driveway to commence preparation for the coming season. The list keeps growing, I'm wondering if you ever complete the list of things you want to get done on your boat. It seems not, as one comes off, two go on. I am comfortable that this is the normal for all boat owners.

I will need new tires for the trailer this year. I chanced it last year with the dry rotted tires, but I will not push my luck for another season. To get her in the driveway, I will need those new tires as the old ones have let go during the winter. With the soggy back yard, the blocks I had under the trailer sank into the ground and placed the weight back onto the tires, causing them to pop off of their rims. Perfect timing for new tires.

My target date is the first week of May for getting her on her mooring. So there is much to do until then. I have taken some time off so I could get things done, I just hope it is enough time.

As you can see in the picture above, the snow has really stopped a lot of winter boat work. Lil Provo sits on her trailer covered up . There she sits until we are sure the weather is changing.