the bisous saga

back again for more washing

Denise — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 02:00:32 +0000

I put another few hours into this today after work. It wasn’t raining so I was able to thoroughly clean the house as well. I got that and much of the starboard side deck done.

My neighbor is using a different oil finish product on his teak. It’s called Skidmore’s. He tells me it’s been used on exterior woodwork on log cabins. I’m not sure I want to take this route. Well, actually, I’m sure I don’t want to take this route.

washing down exterior teak

Denise — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 01:09:25 +0000

My goal and absolute resolve this month is to wash down all the exterior teak and put some finish on it all, be it oil or varnish. I started the process today. It rained all day but was in the 60’s so it was really the perfect day for doing this. I am using Amazon Teak Cleaner, my favorite product, as it’s green. I scrubbed the entire foredeck today. She’s been sorely neglected all year due to my other commitments. I love this process though, so I’m sure it will proceed well over the course of this month.

the Cadet at Pier 99

Denise — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 22:58:41 +0000

I was out motoring today and noticed the little Cheoy Lee that’s been for sale at Pier 99 for some time now, tied up at the end of one of their docks. It appears there is a sale pending on her. She could use a good home. I took some pictures of her. Okay, I took a lot of pictures, but I have a new camera now and am enjoying it a lot.

Yikes!

Denise — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 16:08:24 +0000

Here it is, mid-August, and I still haven’t begun my summer work on the Beez. My work on Hannah B is almost done and I should be back at dock this coming week. My client project is scheduled to be completed in two weeks. I can only hope that the summer hasn’t given up on me.

Otherwise occupied

Denise — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:10:35 +0000

I haven’t intentionally been neglecting the Beez, but other tasks have interfered with the progress of getting her out there sailing on the river. I have a backlog of folks who would love to join me, and I hope to be back on task within the next month.

Continuing rig tuning attempts

Denise — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 21:40:21 +0000

I spent a little time today trying to determine if the mast was exactly centered. I reassured myself that in fact it was, this time by measuring a set distance from the stem instead of using the chainplates. Still, I’m noticing, despite the rocking of the boat, that there’s still a list to port. It has to be something below and I just have to compensate for it when the time comes.

As I was leaving I noticed a man hoisting a young girl up the mast to attach something to the shrouds. I didn’t get a very good picture of her though.

I have to put this work aside in order to paint the bilges in my trawler while it’s in the boat yard.

traveler control thoughts

Denise — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 22:54:40 +0000

I stopped by the boat and attached the blocks I have collected to complete the new mainsheet system. I had picked up some blocks in the consignment chandlers, one of which is a tufnol double block. Eventually, if this system works, I’ll find a tufnol lower block. For now I’m using the Lewman.

The problem I see right now is the interference from the old cam cleat post. I removed the cam cleat but I think I’ll also need to remove the post.

And finally, I’m trying to figure out how to use the eyes on each side of the bar to attach lines for adjusting the position of the traveler block. I’m thinking the padeyes on the toerail may be there for that purpose. But I’m not sure.

And there’s always this little reminder to myself of the damage to the rub strake that needs mending.

traveler bar is in

Denise — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 04:53:10 +0000

Another gorgeous day, in the high 70s, low 80s. With the little time I had after work I rushed back to the boat and today started by trimming and sanding off the bungs on the poopdeck. After that I immediately tackled the final steps for installing the traveler bar. I marked and drilled the holes with the new hole cutter I had picked up on the way over. I found I had to abandon using the backing blocks I had prepared for this because the traveler posts were too short to clear them, but I decided that I can make some backing blocks out of my scrap 1/4 inch FRP at some later time (said, when I unravel my things in the garage).

Anyway, I installed the bar with large fender washers and bedded it all without the blocks.

after deck bungs are plugged

Denise — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 02:13:53 +0000

Today I drilled and plugged all the holes that remained on the after deck from assorted hardware that has been removed. I used resorcinol to glue in the plugs after having sanded, vacuumed and washed all the areas with acetone.

I also drilled holes in the backing plates for the new traveler bar and realized I need to go and buy new hole cutters before I tackle the holes in the poop deck. I decided to do that on the way to the boat tomorrow.

The weather is finally coming around, and since the wind was very light I pushed Bisous out of her slip and turned her around.

cleaned up the filled holes

Denise — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 04:43:43 +0000

I escaped to the boat after work and cleaned the filled areas in preparation for drilling the final holes for the traveler posts. I had fully intended to drill them today but then I got a phone call . . . This is as far as I got. I have to do some grinding below the decks because the epoxy filler made its way past the tape I had placed there. Live and learn. I’m going to try and use the same wood backing plates that were there for the original blocks. Will try to sneak back tomorrow.