tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988753353734659816Wed, 12 Nov 2025 06:11:59 +0000boat refitKidscaptain Perfectos improvementsNassau 42 refitplumbingTatoosh 42 refitcruisingrefittravelLifeDyneema experienceboat maintenancedeck hardwareDyneemacruising kidselectricalriggingsailboatCaptain PerfectoFINALLY traveling againsailingprogresstraveling with kidswiringcaptain Perfecto's improvementsequipmentLessons learnedLondonPerry boatScotlandchainplatesdeck hatchesmaster cabinroad trippingsailsail boatslackingInterlux Perfection PlusKemahRoyale with Cheese ReportScotland Harborsanchoringbaby folliesblogosphereboatcarpentrychugging isn't really sailingdepartureengineholidaysrefit folliessailing Scotlandstuff no one tells youvarnishBomar hatchesChristmasChristmas Santa ClausFranceParisSanta. KemahScotland marinasSometimes I heat things and call it cookingTraveling with toddlersWords failboat kidsbulkheadsfiberglass workgalley refitgalley. kitchenmarine productsnothing to do with boatsplanspreparationsprojectssacrificesschedulessuppliesteakAwlcraftAwlgripBristol finishCapt.PerfectoCapt.Perfecto's ToolCushy Princess StuffDIYEast Neuk of FifeEdinburghEuropeHurricaneI really really hate sandingLewmar winchLexanLife is FunnyLuxembourg GardensOld CruisersPerkins 4.108Rebel HeartSpartiteTaking a breakVersaillesWest System Epoxyanchoragesautumnbatteryberthberth enclosureberth options in Scotlandboat deckboat decorboat purchaseboat shoppingbright workbudgetbulkheadcabinetrycooking aboardcool stuffcraft based shamecruiserscruising boatdetailsemailfanfiberglassfood worth traveling forfuel filterfuel systemgeargeneratorhanging outhatch repairhow toinsanityinteriorisland packetlee clothlessons in futilitylightsmast collarmoving onnavigationpassportsportlight rebeddingprepping for paintprioritiesproducts for travelrepairrepairsroutessacrficessafetysail repairsailing in Scotlandsailing lessonssailssalonsea lifeshoppingstaycationstuffsunshineswearing like a sailor indeedsystemsthings that annoythoughtstoolstravel. lifetravelerwaitingwasting timeweatherwhen things go wrongwinchwood rotzombiesA little crew, a small boat and a great big world to see...http://theceolmors.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (The Ceol Mors)Blogger293125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988753353734659816.post-2145055422916756361Wed, 31 Dec 2014 13:52:00 +00002014-12-31T05:52:42.203-08:00anchoringboat refitcaptain Perfecto's improvementsdeck hardwareLewmar winchNassau 42 refitTatoosh 42 refit We are getting super excited around these parts. It's not due to the holidays, although Kitty was very happy to find that Santa could indeed visit a house, or a boat even if it has no chimney... ... and it definitely isn't due to the fact that our departure has been delayed by a good 6 months.  Nobody is excited about that particular development but clean cup, move down. Nope. The http://theceolmors.blogspot.com/2014/12/and-if-you-look-at-in-just-right-light.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Ceol Mors)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988753353734659816.post-8709993537021740811Tue, 16 Dec 2014 01:51:00 +00002014-12-15T17:51:19.156-08:00boat kidsboat refitBristol finishcaptain Perfecto's improvementsChristmas Santa Clauscruising boatInterlux Perfection PlusNassau 42 refitTatoosh 42 refitvarnish In the midst of everyone in the US getting ready for Christmas and Santa, while everyone seems to be decking their halls (and walls and lawns and cars) with festive decorations, I am trying my darnedest not to succumb to a fit of schmoopiness. While I might not be feeling very merry, I refuse to have a Blue Christmas and will instead focus on the positive.  See, we had planned to be http://theceolmors.blogspot.com/2014/12/eyes-on-prize.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Ceol Mors)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988753353734659816.post-3998781094181990780Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:05:00 +00002014-11-03T06:54:01.982-08:00boat deckboat maintenanceboat refitBomar hatchescaptain Perfecto's improvementscarpentrydeck hardwaredeck hatchesNassau 42 refitPerry boatprogressprojectssail boat The installation of the newly refurnished and revitalized hatches has begun in earnest. Boy oh boy does having shiny hatches make a difference. The refurbishment project was undertaken in an attempt to protect the frames from deterioration but is it okay to just be a bit shallow and admit that the fact they look beautiful makes me happy? The fact that they are being installed on a freshly http://theceolmors.blogspot.com/2014/11/hatches-ive-got-your-hatches-right-here.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Ceol Mors)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988753353734659816.post-8799724509231567344Sun, 26 Oct 2014 18:27:00 +00002014-10-26T11:29:32.375-07:00boat maintenanceboat refitBomar hatchescaptain Perfecto's improvementsdeck hatchesInterlux Perfection PlussuppliesWest System Epoxy Tackling the deck sounds so straight forward. Just slap on on new deck hardware, a a little butyl tape and get on with it. But this is our home we are talking about and she hasn't been through a really thorough revitalization and at 30 years old, it's way past time. Also, Mark is not called Captain Perfecto without good cause. Due to these factors, we figured if we are going to take the time to http://theceolmors.blogspot.com/2014/10/hatching-plan.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Ceol Mors)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988753353734659816.post-5276992905647942842Sat, 25 Oct 2014 13:41:00 +00002014-10-26T06:40:12.817-07:00boat refitbright workcaptain Perfecto's improvementsdeck hardwareInterlux Perfection Plusteakvarnish I've been thinking about changing the layout and design of the blog for a bit. I'm still thinking big blog design thoughts but I think I do really need to change the tag line. 'A little crew, a small boat and a great big world to see' will work perfectly when we cast off the lines (looking like late spring at this point) but until then, we are still- despite our heartfelt desires for it to be http://theceolmors.blogspot.com/2014/10/a-cure-for-varnish-blues.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Ceol Mors)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988753353734659816.post-3906360844818756378Sun, 12 Oct 2014 01:14:00 +00002014-10-26T07:53:04.885-07:00boat maintenanceboat refitcaptain Perfectos improvementsdeck hatchesDIYhatch repairhow toLexantools Our Bomar deck hatches had seen better days. Despite using hatch covers, 30 years of sun and salt water had done their damage. One of the danged nabbit seagulls managed to hit an uncovered hatch lens with its caustic poop and even though it was on the lens for a brief time before being washed off, it did a number on the Lexan lens. Makes you wonder what they eat. The aluminum frames were in anhttp://theceolmors.blogspot.com/2014/10/how-to-polish-deck-hatch-lenses-or-how.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Ceol Mors)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988753353734659816.post-5097732729628550322Fri, 10 Oct 2014 11:44:00 +00002014-10-10T06:39:48.231-07:00AwlcraftAwlgripboat maintenanceboat refitCapt.Perfectocaptain Perfectos improvementsdeck hardwaredeck hatchesfiberglassPerry boatprepping for paintsailboattraveler We arrived home from the airport and were back at the boat within an hour. We had a bit of a breather but now it was time to address the last big topic on the refit- the deck layout. Ceol Mor is a really great sailing boat. Bob Perry knows a thing or two about designing a boat which is balanced, comfortable and sure footed. Previous owners of Ceol Mor ostensibly purchased her because of the wayhttp://theceolmors.blogspot.com/2014/10/hit-deck.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Ceol Mors)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988753353734659816.post-5675756136348873260Wed, 01 Oct 2014 11:33:00 +00002014-10-01T04:33:14.508-07:00FINALLY traveling againsailing ScotlandScotland HarborsScotland marinas Let's get the not so great bits out of the way. If you are thinking of leaving your boat in Oban and traveling inland Scotland, stop it. Stop it right now. The biggest downside to Oban is that it's kind of off the beaten track if you want to see something other than the Western Isles. Trains seem to go every place in Scotland finally stopping at the location you desire after changing http://theceolmors.blogspot.com/2014/10/oban-marinas.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Ceol Mors)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988753353734659816.post-6830400929644142804Sat, 27 Sep 2014 18:51:00 +00002014-09-27T11:51:00.524-07:00berth options in Scotlandsailing in ScotlandScotlandScotland marinas James Watt Dock Marina Greenock, Scotland- 55N 56' 392, -4W 44' 9.012 Tel +44 (0) 1475 729838 The west coast is the best coast. In Scotland for sailing anyway. As much as I love the little fishing villages along the east coast, the huge tidal swings and lack of deep water berthing options is pretty limiting. It's a long, long way from Peterhead to South Queensferry. So what is a http://theceolmors.blogspot.com/2014/09/greenock-marina.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Ceol Mors)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988753353734659816.post-8244238609540314393Tue, 23 Sep 2014 12:17:00 +00002014-09-23T05:17:31.729-07:00Lifesailing ScotlandScotlandScotland Harborstravel St. Monans Harbour- 56º 12'N, 02º 44'W Tel- 01333 739000 Ah the  East coast of Scotland. So many lovely little villages, so very little water at low tide. Again, you might want to skip this one by boat because the harbour master only works part time. Whether or not he is working is dependent upon the tides. There are 2 dedicated visitors berths in the harbour. A grand total of 2.http://theceolmors.blogspot.com/2014/09/st-monans-harbour.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Ceol Mors)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988753353734659816.post-2558925448567083628Sun, 21 Sep 2014 12:49:00 +00002014-09-21T08:25:30.390-07:00anchoragesEast Neuk of Fifesailing ScotlandScotland Harbors A large part of our time in Scotland was spent in checking out harbors and marinas. The plan, as much as we can formulate a plan- has always been to move the boat and ourselves to Scotland post cruise. After so many years abroad, Mark is getting ready to go home. Now where would we like to keep Ceol Mor? Time to look at options.  Anstruther- 56° 13' 15", -2° 41' 46" VHF Ch. 11 http://theceolmors.blogspot.com/2014/09/anstruther-harbour.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Ceol Mors)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988753353734659816.post-5389026262185211919Mon, 15 Sep 2014 22:17:00 +00002014-09-15T15:24:08.493-07:00EdinburghFINALLY traveling againtravel. lifetraveling with kids We arrived in Edinburgh to see Mark's family. It's not just the the fact that family is in Edinburgh that makes me feel so happy and at home here, its the city itself. There are many cities and towns and little villages I have been to that I have really enjoyed and some I have even fallen in love but Edinburgh is the one place that I instantly felt right at home. I just love this place. It has http://theceolmors.blogspot.com/2014/09/at-home-in-edinburgh.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Ceol Mors)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988753353734659816.post-3568009437370320608Wed, 10 Sep 2014 19:45:00 +00002014-09-10T12:45:35.648-07:00FINALLY traveling againLifeLuxembourg GardensParistraveling with kids We spent our last full day in Paris just going slow and taking it all in. We took the Metro to Ile de la Cite' with the plan of getting a good look at Notre Dame which was on my very short must see list. In fact, my must see list was ONLY Notre Dame and Versailles, everything else was a planned wander around and go with the flow experience. Notre Dame did not disappoint. It was breathtakingly http://theceolmors.blogspot.com/2014/09/perfect-day-in-paris.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Ceol Mors)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988753353734659816.post-3239788674802819446Tue, 09 Sep 2014 12:21:00 +00002014-09-09T05:21:18.719-07:00FINALLY traveling againFrancetraveling with kidsVersailles We took the train out to see Versailles. I was feeling the way that I always do, which is maybe just wandering around a place is short changing our experience of a place. Kitty just wanted to see a palace with a Queen. So with this in mind, we jumped on a train and headed to Versailles to see what all the fuss was about. Kitty managed to make a friend in front of the palace as we waitedhttp://theceolmors.blogspot.com/2014/09/versailles.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Ceol Mors)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988753353734659816.post-1132576477751984295Thu, 04 Sep 2014 06:08:00 +00002014-09-03T23:22:32.797-07:00FINALLY traveling againFranceLifeParistraveltraveling with kids Our first day in Paris, we arrived via train in the early afternoon.  Before we even got to the hotel Kitty spied a park and we stopped by for a bit to let her run and play a bit. The weather was spectacular but I could not help but notice that Paris smells like pee. Cat pee to be precise. The whole city too, not just one area. I suppose it's to balance out all the ridiculous beauty of http://theceolmors.blogspot.com/2014/09/wandering-paris.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Ceol Mors)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988753353734659816.post-5513810014359094890Tue, 02 Sep 2014 20:45:00 +00002014-09-03T12:01:54.946-07:00FINALLY traveling againLifetraveltraveling with kids We took the chunnel over to Paris for a couple of days. Mostly because I had never been before but also because A: it's one of Mark's favorite cities anywhere and B: it is not London.  Sorry London, there is lot's to like about you but you've got some work to do on being welcoming. Let me just break it down for you like this- the Parisians were nicer and friendlier than the Londoners wehttp://theceolmors.blogspot.com/2014/09/if-its-tuesday-it-must-be-paris.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Ceol Mors)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988753353734659816.post-8328513255474435849Wed, 27 Aug 2014 17:51:00 +00002014-08-27T10:51:09.303-07:00FINALLY traveling againLondontraveling with kids We decided that we desperately needed a break from the non-stop boat refitting. We have literally not had more than a day or two break for 2 years and it was most assuredly time. If this means our departure date slips by a few weeks, so be it. We need some time away from projects and we needed to get Kitty to see her family in Scotland before we left. Maura has work (you go girl!), school work http://theceolmors.blogspot.com/2014/08/all-work-and-no-play.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Ceol Mors)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988753353734659816.post-5134508667997465773Sun, 24 Aug 2014 11:55:00 +00002014-10-04T17:40:23.802-07:00boat refitCaptain Perfectocaptain Perfectos improvementsfiberglass workrefit follies While I have been sanding (pretty much non-stop) Mark has been hard at work refurbishing our turtle shell. This is the fiberglass piece that bolts to the deck protecting the companionway. It not only needed to be repainted, with new non skid applied but since we have decided to mount our instruments over the companionway for easy viewing, of course the project grew in scope. Now it needed to be http://theceolmors.blogspot.com/2014/08/behold-spud.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Ceol Mors)9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988753353734659816.post-6809864465600382939Mon, 11 Aug 2014 20:11:00 +00002014-08-12T02:14:08.228-07:00boat maintenanceboat refitI really really hate sandingteakvarnish No, not THAT kind of stripper. That kind of stripper would ostensibly have a lot more cash and not be covered in a mixture of sweat and teak dust. I have been spending far too much time stripping the little bit of teak we have around the companionway hatch and cockpit in preparation for a brand new coating of varnish. See, Mark started the fabrication of a navpod to fit over the companion way. http://theceolmors.blogspot.com/2014/08/my-new-found-career-as-stripper.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Ceol Mors)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988753353734659816.post-3947537159426217452Fri, 01 Aug 2014 19:23:00 +00002014-08-01T14:26:58.341-07:00baby folliesboat kidsboat refitcruising kidssailboat We are putting in some serious time in our big push to get many items ticked off our list  and to get the boat ready to sail before late August. Why late August? That is when the temperatures become absolutely unbearable. There is about a 2-3 week window just before September when the temperatures go nuts just before they return to a sane 90 Fahrenheit or so. We work in the early morning http://theceolmors.blogspot.com/2014/08/what-about-that-boat-baby.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Ceol Mors)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988753353734659816.post-2537352653392359858Wed, 30 Jul 2014 23:21:00 +00002014-07-30T16:28:17.911-07:00boat refitcaptain Perfectos improvementsdeck hardwarefiberglass workNassau 42 refitTatoosh 42 refit No, really. I am serious. If you've ever had to recore a soft spot in a deck or had to try to work around a winch handle that continually fouls itself on the bimini frame, or man handle genoa sheets that run along the deck in an undulating fashion you will agree with me. Custom deck hardware mounts are DEAD sexy. I know a lot of people bag on newer production boats, but they do seem to come up http://theceolmors.blogspot.com/2014/07/deck-hardware-mounts-are-sexy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Ceol Mors)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988753353734659816.post-8839230894117668522Wed, 16 Jul 2014 00:43:00 +00002014-10-04T17:47:35.491-07:00boat refitcaptain Perfectos improvements We have managed to move house. Somehow, despite our best attempts to have Mark avoid the flu Kitty and I had Mark succumbed and was down for 4 days. He was able to help direct the movers but as far as unpacking, arranging, purging etc it was pretty much Maura and I. You think you have gotten rid of enough stuff until you move into a much smaller house and then you realize you have yet more http://theceolmors.blogspot.com/2014/10/cha-cha-changes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Ceol Mors)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988753353734659816.post-2879150946703829855Mon, 14 Jul 2014 12:15:00 +00002014-10-04T17:45:27.192-07:00boat refitcaptain Perfectos improvementsdeck hardwaremast collarSpartite It seems as if every time I start to think that we are ready to really get into a routine and tick items off our list the Universe likes to throw a curve ball. If I were trying to divine a reason, it would be that we have yet to learn the lesson that there really is no such thing as a plan and schedules are like unicorns. Mythical, elusive and something that people have heard of but no one has http://theceolmors.blogspot.com/2014/07/insert-clever-title-here.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Ceol Mors)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988753353734659816.post-6890027199405042492Sun, 22 Jun 2014 11:44:00 +00002014-06-22T04:51:20.459-07:00KidsLifemoving on We are gearing up for some big changes. The kiddos are finished with school. Maura has her big event coming up next week and then its time to move on to the next chapter of the story. The house is sold, we are just waiting for Is to be dotted and Ts to be crossed and to finalize everything at the closing. In a few short days, we will be leaving our little house in the suburbs for good and http://theceolmors.blogspot.com/2014/06/gearing-up.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Ceol Mors)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988753353734659816.post-4061232358356580282Sun, 25 May 2014 11:22:00 +00002014-05-25T04:22:42.669-07:00hanging outKidssunshine Mark has an uncanny ability to completely botch song lyrics. It doesn't matter how well he knows a song, his brain will take a song he has known since early childhood, rearrange things and put it back together into something that somewhat resembles the original composition but veers far away into something completely new. Last week as he and Kitty were playing he began to sing "Are you http://theceolmors.blogspot.com/2014/05/are-you-going-to-strawberry-fair.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (The Ceol Mors)3