tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580797631535773772024-02-21T01:00:18.389-08:00Classic COMPADREA Journey Through Classic Boat OwnershipRick Randallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07644700873528405056noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858079763153577377.post-6583874981540215132022-12-17T16:39:00.001-08:002022-12-17T16:39:40.847-08:00Back to the future: Saloon cabinet restoration<p><i>Compadre </i>originally had two matching cabinets facing each other in the saloon: One to port with two doors and one to starboard with five drawers. At some point in her history the starboard cabinet was removed and a wood-burning fireplace was installed in its place, as shown below.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHXWpTsP5PhKN7F8rcsdStKujBMyEWrsoNr1a-6VZS3Zsb-EUruZx3c75ujfmda0U4GWMFcDH7N_AM-5JEJ90QdNNQqrmv-wf25VTeEYGMh5ak6mKsLJk_xkirAFGqpEn4jVl2jaqJvFQyCQK79DMAVqCANf1vMRVOeiDU7pqfB7gSgsCYWp2_I1_/s3456/IMG_2223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="3168" height="401" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHXWpTsP5PhKN7F8rcsdStKujBMyEWrsoNr1a-6VZS3Zsb-EUruZx3c75ujfmda0U4GWMFcDH7N_AM-5JEJ90QdNNQqrmv-wf25VTeEYGMh5ak6mKsLJk_xkirAFGqpEn4jVl2jaqJvFQyCQK79DMAVqCANf1vMRVOeiDU7pqfB7gSgsCYWp2_I1_/w367-h401/IMG_2223.JPG" width="367" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saloon looking forward with fireplace.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>This was a reasonably clean installation, but really not a smart idea with potentially flammable seat cushions just a few inches away. One of our first projects after acquiring Compadre was to install forced-air diesel heat, so we had little use for a smoky and possibly dangerous fireplace. Plus our goal is to keep <i>Compadre </i>as original as possible while being a comfortable and safe boat. So we decided it was time to pull out the fireplace and rebuild the original cabinet.</p><p>The following pictures show the progression from fireplace to finished cabinet. We knew the dimensions and design of the original cabinet from <i>Compadre's</i> deck plan. I removed the fireplace and Jeff Galey at Port Townsend Shipwrights built it's replacement. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTv4GUNYeecrwEyL7nt_FyZfsK17n8794BloDMrSFk-sTyvBFUAxbiwlFTx4LiLQ6qHKc0InFTRVY6PjUsY8nXl2k_JmCkRYiWGYiKz7JmEI8WPzlIUVyU7cWyM74kIfq2-lFfrH9_ymvNHT-4EVFrNeB7uArrSKP_GV2Q8HRwFxM_1iYPFzdD6Lx1/s1981/P5130031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1981" data-original-width="1485" height="449" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTv4GUNYeecrwEyL7nt_FyZfsK17n8794BloDMrSFk-sTyvBFUAxbiwlFTx4LiLQ6qHKc0InFTRVY6PjUsY8nXl2k_JmCkRYiWGYiKz7JmEI8WPzlIUVyU7cWyM74kIfq2-lFfrH9_ymvNHT-4EVFrNeB7uArrSKP_GV2Q8HRwFxM_1iYPFzdD6Lx1/w337-h449/P5130031.JPG" width="337" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFRr3tmCHq886LIEnTfN-Vu6H419_7kjOJvUFXOMfRar263Ux6qc4uHlrV_gRy6suQoFXBxn7qyPdKLLqfUyROPSwEAEihkLhqbmve3gTrsPR9m1qX0BegaQqMP3EtdoMAViIHLCXr_XMhf0KR-kwXcEIMqCDgw_PtAkasSXEMX1YJ-9AHoXI56Vc/s4032/IMG_20190320_145608880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFRr3tmCHq886LIEnTfN-Vu6H419_7kjOJvUFXOMfRar263Ux6qc4uHlrV_gRy6suQoFXBxn7qyPdKLLqfUyROPSwEAEihkLhqbmve3gTrsPR9m1qX0BegaQqMP3EtdoMAViIHLCXr_XMhf0KR-kwXcEIMqCDgw_PtAkasSXEMX1YJ-9AHoXI56Vc/w332-h432/IMG_20190320_145608880.jpg" width="332" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fireplace gone. Front framing in place. Backside is patterned</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSfAhIThbk1xI4-xu9we4EgqvhCCLddTE7F48a8Un4Cp5jQGq2Bm8lxOidQiaTji9Ldku6y0hVj1bkW5ago6GWbsLWdHZ6bB1Sky5jJ8bNXEaR9jknEglU2w_p-BNpcvWm4i4urCBBhPZlPsvK-hbFRIU1UAIFEPaHd3vu0QgiwfXGbCnE3QQLV9y/s4032/IMG_20190322_103824221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="417" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSfAhIThbk1xI4-xu9we4EgqvhCCLddTE7F48a8Un4Cp5jQGq2Bm8lxOidQiaTji9Ldku6y0hVj1bkW5ago6GWbsLWdHZ6bB1Sky5jJ8bNXEaR9jknEglU2w_p-BNpcvWm4i4urCBBhPZlPsvK-hbFRIU1UAIFEPaHd3vu0QgiwfXGbCnE3QQLV9y/w313-h417/IMG_20190322_103824221.jpg" width="313" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teak corner post detail.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2qLJCgf6p5CAgGhcWbQ4Z28bPniMgi6y0H8YDh4151-dv_VZHn1PxNMF4MbSLa0NfOTZCaAFePjSUcHkAJYWkzzaXOFaPZ1b5TauhSASVisdIbbpcHcnNKzvRJDyDzwxdadZQ8X5xwQD1_VcyEQ3-NE36Z91_XYBZ-37VLmSdH6Z9P2F0-YiE8Enp/s3277/IMG_20190328_164355198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3277" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2qLJCgf6p5CAgGhcWbQ4Z28bPniMgi6y0H8YDh4151-dv_VZHn1PxNMF4MbSLa0NfOTZCaAFePjSUcHkAJYWkzzaXOFaPZ1b5TauhSASVisdIbbpcHcnNKzvRJDyDzwxdadZQ8X5xwQD1_VcyEQ3-NE36Z91_XYBZ-37VLmSdH6Z9P2F0-YiE8Enp/w320-h295/IMG_20190328_164355198.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for drawers, paint and varnish.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic123TvbVKGF7RXxmg6w56By1ibsOxByP1lOIHtf1QyZ4CfgUFcakDY9Vgp9XdGCqkaRvAI3jKJvYywmhfEwPPPJVdgvDR8o0RSn1FFhugDoYoxlOMqzGjR-p0Vr_YGbMQTkF6zhtxh9SFEVJFuuAVmtL7KKyUrGcf_BSxkkbr1rF-RsEihud5PZmi/s4032/IMG_20190503_105005972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic123TvbVKGF7RXxmg6w56By1ibsOxByP1lOIHtf1QyZ4CfgUFcakDY9Vgp9XdGCqkaRvAI3jKJvYywmhfEwPPPJVdgvDR8o0RSn1FFhugDoYoxlOMqzGjR-p0Vr_YGbMQTkF6zhtxh9SFEVJFuuAVmtL7KKyUrGcf_BSxkkbr1rF-RsEihud5PZmi/w323-h431/IMG_20190503_105005972.jpg" width="323" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished restoration<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYumKKP0AnFZk9W3t2UPxrn15pjd32CPjZInLgV3w67r_ejwSHYRdlO2JXJdO1ijO-E8pePlnwU7VORt_Q4c9-boAFDuovgl7mlKFRMawICuw5ajgxZnaORZ8mLacBiU7hj1J8ee-MoIuJNlR3HAkVC5MspSs1Ekr35KsokcHPuH1svMwkKOLOdrx/s4032/IMG_20190424_162250052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYumKKP0AnFZk9W3t2UPxrn15pjd32CPjZInLgV3w67r_ejwSHYRdlO2JXJdO1ijO-E8pePlnwU7VORt_Q4c9-boAFDuovgl7mlKFRMawICuw5ajgxZnaORZ8mLacBiU7hj1J8ee-MoIuJNlR3HAkVC5MspSs1Ekr35KsokcHPuH1svMwkKOLOdrx/w300-h400/IMG_20190424_162250052.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They match!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>This was a very satisfying project, not only because we were able to return part of the boat to it's original design but also because of the storage space we gained (always a consideration on any boat). And course Jeff and the other craftsmen at Port Townsend Shipwrights were great to work with and did a fine job.</div><div><br /></div><div>And to stay abreast of our adventures with <i>Compadre </i>please FOLLOW in the sidebar at right. Thanks!</div>Rick Randallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07644700873528405056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858079763153577377.post-22447452929613770082018-02-03T17:49:00.005-08:002022-12-17T15:25:49.939-08:00Messages from the past: In this case, a rear-deck repair.In many respects owning a classic is no different from owning any other boat. As you know by now, that is one of the main themes of this blog. With all boats there are things that might have been done better, either by the builder or by folks who came along later. We are fortunate that <i>Compadre </i>was well designed and built to a very high standard by Stephens Bros. But because least 13 owners came before us, there has been ample opportunity for folks to mess things up. Luckily we have found only a few problems that could be attributed to poor repairs or restoration. <br />
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One problem we had known about for some time was around the hatch on the back deck -- it moved up and down when you stepped on it. Not supposed to happen. As 2016 came to a close we could put it off no longer. It was time to pull up the teak and deal with it.<br />
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<i>Compadre's</i> teak decks, and some of the underlying beams, were replaced about 15 years ago and generally are in good condition. Beneath the half-inch teak boards is 3/4-inch marine plywood resting on fir beams. Around the hatch in the back deck, water had leaked inside the hatch opening, and then seeped between the teak and the underlying plywood, causing an area of rot extending a foot or so in all directions. The teak was fine, but the plywood and underlying beams were rotted and needed to be replaced. This was going to be a big job, but one I felt I could do myself. The first step was to pull up a few teak deck planks to investigate.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VWvu-MisTk9h7R-lhnsCoOLwEZp4UoftffQPv0Shs4vo6s3p2eKzIHufWrpS_u6R0lvoAzuFJNyuhuoG1z6v0mkb0g91yu1fjiYr5-UoKqHyDnYH6Siz63HkKgLgxn3C2MSSS7ZYLsQ/s1600/IMG_1482.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VWvu-MisTk9h7R-lhnsCoOLwEZp4UoftffQPv0Shs4vo6s3p2eKzIHufWrpS_u6R0lvoAzuFJNyuhuoG1z6v0mkb0g91yu1fjiYr5-UoKqHyDnYH6Siz63HkKgLgxn3C2MSSS7ZYLsQ/s400/IMG_1482.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beginning to take up the teak deck. Hatch is in the foreground, looking aft. </td></tr>
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Fortunately the teak was just screwed down, and not glued. With a little care the screws and bungs (wood plugs covering the screws) could be removed and each deck board came free. This was significant because the teak could be cleaned up and reinstalled, thus eliminating the cost of new teak decking and the time required to fit each piece. So far, so good.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhm0CE9_6x54Mi8cFuvmKcHpqxSuQgu82KVaOzjNpQytaqAt3jJyDGPK0zchy-jVdZzTP2_faIDNVCgHIgnwbEP_dggLPD-rq2r7jMtmErf3PB_-BNKaoK01naB2RZ_j8YFL3_Lef6qM/s1600/IMG_1485.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhm0CE9_6x54Mi8cFuvmKcHpqxSuQgu82KVaOzjNpQytaqAt3jJyDGPK0zchy-jVdZzTP2_faIDNVCgHIgnwbEP_dggLPD-rq2r7jMtmErf3PB_-BNKaoK01naB2RZ_j8YFL3_Lef6qM/s400/IMG_1485.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Directly beneath the teak was waterproof membrane. Nicely done.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Between the teak and the underlying plywood substrate was an elastic, waterproof membrane. This is a product for the roofing trade called Ice and Water Shield, and was meant to keep any water that leaked through the teak deck seams (not uncommon on teak decks) from coming in contact with the plywood. This is an excellent product and sells for about $130 per roll, so whoever did this deck installation did not skimp on materials. I promptly bought a roll to use on my repair job. <br />
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So with all this fancy waterproofing, why did we have a rot problem? In spite of using good materials, the installer forgot one important thing: Flashing around the hatch opening. The teak and plywood simply ended at the hatch opening, with the raw edges covered by some teak trim. A little rubber seam compound between the trim and the teak deck boards was the only thing keeping the water out. I'm sure it didn't take long for rain water to begin to find it's way behind the seam compound and back under the fancy waterproof membrane. Eventually an area about 1-foot wide on each side of the hatch was saturated by water and rot soon followed. Some simple flashing around the opening, as is typically done around house windows, would keep this from happening again, but first we had some work to do.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiIQpPq44Ai3RgtYfTP4QoeiLreXMYXTroFHeTPAQVtEFEG04IYwlMUo1kPd0nn4rpgTbZf4kqXm8zHdOZ3Z7lb-n999w1B7nR-RwfANC_wqmZiPqEj4pv5Vb-pCuBVMezWWtrKd8FcY/s1600/IMG_1543.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiIQpPq44Ai3RgtYfTP4QoeiLreXMYXTroFHeTPAQVtEFEG04IYwlMUo1kPd0nn4rpgTbZf4kqXm8zHdOZ3Z7lb-n999w1B7nR-RwfANC_wqmZiPqEj4pv5Vb-pCuBVMezWWtrKd8FcY/s400/IMG_1543.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Removing rotted plywood underlayment.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9Eo7eFM_5wPoDPiJc-8jGzogPDSTK7tiWSUuwkEI8ll8vfZxCHb8bHEOCRkuNa50MlUhyphenhyphenSvBAUU6VjLKvsXbUadfhkoNU10FwFsoI4AcbjJOBaZSXJHL5jLJD36QYgwb9sIUFJPJOkY/s1600/IMG_1544.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9Eo7eFM_5wPoDPiJc-8jGzogPDSTK7tiWSUuwkEI8ll8vfZxCHb8bHEOCRkuNa50MlUhyphenhyphenSvBAUU6VjLKvsXbUadfhkoNU10FwFsoI4AcbjJOBaZSXJHL5jLJD36QYgwb9sIUFJPJOkY/s400/IMG_1544.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hatch framing and deck beams also were rotted. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYGwj_Co8_uDAH3gGOupk9nY31malpXlK53ro8OJBvkgbN6ZEccdkTZjOpJyKXYIrNeLNk_CtZ557OvFVRMvAYWw5nJWMHDLM4iBfq-5c6Mj_iVHDOk6FE7eYC3eCO8g_oCSF51MPFk0/s1600/IMG_1547.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYGwj_Co8_uDAH3gGOupk9nY31malpXlK53ro8OJBvkgbN6ZEccdkTZjOpJyKXYIrNeLNk_CtZ557OvFVRMvAYWw5nJWMHDLM4iBfq-5c6Mj_iVHDOk6FE7eYC3eCO8g_oCSF51MPFk0/s400/IMG_1547.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally, all rotted plywood removed.</td></tr>
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Once I had the plywood trimmed back to sound wood, it was time to confront the deck beams and rectangular hatch framing where they contacted the rotted plywood. They would have to come out as well. Measuring carefully so I could rebuild the framing later, I cut out all the bad wood, with a taper on the two lateral beams to allow me to scarf in new replacement pieces.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7TAZbSvUWYH_wVT8sVvFxjX358HmbG8CwQEUZLJQPoD1bCz41zL2NdhHHEX847FpwQVr4oGhu02AItFn6YeD4FVp9owTE1G20FU-PSYRGDeuaEqC1V78HnQgC-PZF1p8ElVolIH9iNYw/s1600/IMG_1551.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7TAZbSvUWYH_wVT8sVvFxjX358HmbG8CwQEUZLJQPoD1bCz41zL2NdhHHEX847FpwQVr4oGhu02AItFn6YeD4FVp9owTE1G20FU-PSYRGDeuaEqC1V78HnQgC-PZF1p8ElVolIH9iNYw/s400/IMG_1551.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hatch framing removed and existing beams tapered. Ready for new wood.</td></tr>
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Scarfing in new vertical-grain Douglas fir deck beams was time consuming but not difficult. These were through-bolted to the stubs of the existing beams and glued with epoxy. The new hatch framing then followed, held in place with new silicon bronze screws.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEZUsNBhNSDk9UlifUZA5fFheMYSG6-fsMA93ZtTw5puDX1g0BuBMe3_JkyAOdGmPg0kSIAERZMN6_N5t-sxRQEgazxYTVCWYhrKTzJ7EbfvpIx5hnJaPnVD9g6unWgWn0pauLS_o1Sg/s1600/IMG_1554.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEZUsNBhNSDk9UlifUZA5fFheMYSG6-fsMA93ZtTw5puDX1g0BuBMe3_JkyAOdGmPg0kSIAERZMN6_N5t-sxRQEgazxYTVCWYhrKTzJ7EbfvpIx5hnJaPnVD9g6unWgWn0pauLS_o1Sg/s400/IMG_1554.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Replacement deck beams in place.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New hatch framing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OqSDRCwLgJVwuiBwsgCxBrqt1MICQb-khCu2SefYzGHS2otkQrQeW6LXVykVun-1sfGGn0mdKwWNqn2nscn6GjKsF44np3Jmvx9ecGgRuy8OlPvMWoAvLbOfWbmTMdEEe6a1BOoRN1M/s1600/IMG_1564.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OqSDRCwLgJVwuiBwsgCxBrqt1MICQb-khCu2SefYzGHS2otkQrQeW6LXVykVun-1sfGGn0mdKwWNqn2nscn6GjKsF44np3Jmvx9ecGgRuy8OlPvMWoAvLbOfWbmTMdEEe6a1BOoRN1M/s400/IMG_1564.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of hatch-frame joint</td></tr>
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With the framing in place it was time for new 3/4-inch marine plywood. It would be in two pieces, and in order to be sure it would bend enough to conform to the curvature of the deck, I made a series of shallow cuts (kerfs) on the underside of the plywood with a circular saw. This worked well, and the plywood was fitted and screwed down without difficulty.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutting saw kerfs on the underside of replacement plywood.</td></tr>
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The image below shows the new 3/4-inch plywood decking, screwed in place and resting on the fir hatch frame. The next step was to ensure that this rot problem would not happen again. Which means keeping water out. Which means flashing. I decided on a two-part system consisting of self-adhering flexible flashing, overlain by sheet metal. I started with a "butterfly" piece at each corner, then added long strips from corner to corner.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Self-adhering flexible flashing at the corner.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FZp6gDzpES9SNwcreLlsJotzDJPKbH5pO0EanWUjnk__ykOwymIbbmiTuzQ1YdzyI6gn8AoWEAA07ZIDRnHYoALNcbWUVS37XtDRFs-_xl2oo_98XTxfyI1FyPWrWR2oSbheXMIAtPc/s1600/IMG_1585.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FZp6gDzpES9SNwcreLlsJotzDJPKbH5pO0EanWUjnk__ykOwymIbbmiTuzQ1YdzyI6gn8AoWEAA07ZIDRnHYoALNcbWUVS37XtDRFs-_xl2oo_98XTxfyI1FyPWrWR2oSbheXMIAtPc/s400/IMG_1585.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Self adhering flashing all around.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMGFnh2PrLAdwSiuEOeLcQktE0zSMeMvrRnjodyeL6LEOHYJF-IijtV4LfxDGu9R44gplLLHRfkkhAWO6cFVGYqEagprPdeCiPoF9NTeEA99cQe9Uq2ZDxbKnOdC9HyDMikSVrhD-D-o/s400/IMG_1587.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for metal flashing.</td></tr>
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I was confident that the self-adhering flexible flashing would prevent any water from contacting the wood, but it is not durable enough to stand on it's own in a high-traffic area such as the deck hatch. It would need some protection, and for that I chose metal roof flashing. This is sheet steel, so there is some risk of rust, but I planned to paint any exposed metal with marine enamel for extra protection. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First piece of sheet metal flashing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flashing corner detail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is not going to leak again.</td></tr>
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Next came the new waterproof membrane. This has a peel-off adhesive backing, and firmly attaches to the old membrane around the edges of my patch, and to the new decking and flashing. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rU1AW7lNksvQbZgMtI_HLBBnyUAhBNks1aE4zjOMD7sF-G_tNWHCFsc_Bu8Y0yMXBGVVQzHs7AjB49jVVUshXYtuoRKensKllo4n_a0iAB5YFssoB5Z81Cf2spsuiMcXTeVVCHnUzMY/s1600/IMG_1598.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rU1AW7lNksvQbZgMtI_HLBBnyUAhBNks1aE4zjOMD7sF-G_tNWHCFsc_Bu8Y0yMXBGVVQzHs7AjB49jVVUshXYtuoRKensKllo4n_a0iAB5YFssoB5Z81Cf2spsuiMcXTeVVCHnUzMY/s400/IMG_1598.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New waterproof membrane atop the plywood and flashing. Ready for teak.</td></tr>
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Replacing the teak boards was a bit like doing a jig-saw puzzle, making sure each piece went back where it was installed originally. With two boxes of bronze screws, and nearly 200 3/8-inch diameter teak bungs, the teak went on with few problems. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teak back in place. Installing bungs in screw holes.</td></tr>
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The joints between the teak deck boards are filled with a special caulking made just for that purpose. It's black, comes in tubes, and can be very messy. A little masking tape (OK, a lot of masking tape) helps control the mess. After the caulk sets, the tape is removed, and there is little left to do.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSmlSywnnHX4dL6FLB1BBPCXNRHnfH_c89uIYt1YH7GPDFFhjwTqqjj6DyXsjWwmI2kXK-8-fNP_30PurrBZpt698Gb_xqpU6nZDyVtknzptilTh7FbA0IJcf5L6SJ4hSkzMqo8MYml8/s1600/IMG_1604.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSmlSywnnHX4dL6FLB1BBPCXNRHnfH_c89uIYt1YH7GPDFFhjwTqqjj6DyXsjWwmI2kXK-8-fNP_30PurrBZpt698Gb_xqpU6nZDyVtknzptilTh7FbA0IJcf5L6SJ4hSkzMqo8MYml8/s400/IMG_1604.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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A thin strip of teak trim around the edge of the hatch covers most of the metal flashing. In spite of all the rot in the fir deck beams and plywood, the original teak trim was still good. Amazing stuff, that teak.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2d8fvKduBLGVu4DaSWDcxX8mYniXnQV1Jv_f-rg-_xPpkmHBwzXkKyZaABPWKPDnNiVIJGs_EKS7yA3ZEWbZt8j_LVGRVcoOigZPJlajW2MPIGrwRTrLBNnLzYDwkrIrhUGP4Nf-qeYA/s1600/IMG_1607.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2d8fvKduBLGVu4DaSWDcxX8mYniXnQV1Jv_f-rg-_xPpkmHBwzXkKyZaABPWKPDnNiVIJGs_EKS7yA3ZEWbZt8j_LVGRVcoOigZPJlajW2MPIGrwRTrLBNnLzYDwkrIrhUGP4Nf-qeYA/s400/IMG_1607.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished, and good as new -- maybe better?</td></tr>
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Overall, this was a very rewarding project. Things went more or less according to plan, although the extent of the rot was greater than I expected. I did not keep track of my hours, but the work was done as time allowed over a two-month period. If I had to guess I'd say I spent about 2-3 man-weeks on the job. And the out-of-pocket cost was a few hundred dollars in materials. Much cheaper than going to the boatyard!<div><br /></div><div>Please FOLLOW us in the sidebar at right to learn more about our <i>COMPADRE</i> adventure. Thanks!</div>Rick Randallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07644700873528405056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858079763153577377.post-26676540038911318032017-01-06T21:35:00.002-08:002017-01-07T10:53:04.520-08:00Cruising and the Kindness of StrangersAs 2016 fades into the past and the new year looms ahead, my thoughts can't help but return to the boating highlights of the last year. The big event, of course, was re-powering <i>Compadre </i>with new diesels, at once closing the era of gasoline propulsion and bringing the promise of more enjoyable and trouble-free cruising. After we finished, we immediately left on a 3-week cruise to British Columbia. That was followed later by several shorter cruises around Puget Sound and a visit to the Wooden Boat Festival at Port Townsend in September. A fitting start to the new era. Cindy and I had a wonderful time cruising, and <i>Compadre </i>performed even better than we had hoped. But as often happens on the water, all did not go smoothly. Had it not been for some very good luck and the kind help of fellow boaters, our B.C. cruise might have been far less pleasant.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_HwfcXZ-FscvVi-8WzpIcZKzdAZRDfNifSz-qbtnf2R4PvxKMoqjzxSUYVr-ty01wscQToV3UnEXzKPVKMRhapxEV8iVF5ONPffuKSPvZBgs1hOdYdTkbrarqT9jR4MlozTF9xpWKEY/s1600/IMG_2823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_HwfcXZ-FscvVi-8WzpIcZKzdAZRDfNifSz-qbtnf2R4PvxKMoqjzxSUYVr-ty01wscQToV3UnEXzKPVKMRhapxEV8iVF5ONPffuKSPvZBgs1hOdYdTkbrarqT9jR4MlozTF9xpWKEY/s400/IMG_2823.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A busy day on Jervis Inlet</td></tr>
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Our first cruise revolved around a visit to Princess Louisa Inlet, arguably the most beautiful cruising destination in the Northwest. This was our second trip to Princess Louisa, and this time we were joined by our friends Ken and Martha from California. After picking them up in Naniamo, we made a quick dash across the Strait of Georgia for an overnight stay in Pender Harbour. From there it is a half-day run up Jervis Inlet to Malabu Rapids, the entrance to Princess Louisa. We left at dawn. Steep granite cliffs on both shores and waterfalls everywhere -- what a morning!<br />
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Malabu Rapids is passable only every six hours at slack tide, and even then only for a period of 15 minutes or so. Boats planning to transit the rapids usually arrive early, rather than risk missing the tide window and having to wait six hours for another chance. And so we did. The slack was predicted at 1125, and we arrived comfortably early at around 1100. What to do for 25 minutes? Let's just shut down the engines and drift for a bit. No wind, no current, not another boat in sight. We'll just drift and enjoy the view. Wonderful. Until we started the engines again.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQ0agnpi3A7jQZh4wcLEcD8W0wtNARs-bF2BwUedASZFugytd3yV8dodgPkR1fGOud-sktTl-GF5BZ5jjj3UR7iT_E0TtV54QcRWa1a8cjqZyPZ-Ghv7NB9iBHhv_PSYsBGkW3ofA_Hk/s1600/IMG_2846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQ0agnpi3A7jQZh4wcLEcD8W0wtNARs-bF2BwUedASZFugytd3yV8dodgPkR1fGOud-sktTl-GF5BZ5jjj3UR7iT_E0TtV54QcRWa1a8cjqZyPZ-Ghv7NB9iBHhv_PSYsBGkW3ofA_Hk/s400/IMG_2846.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Princess Louisa. We felt as gloomy as the weather when we arrived. Lousy luck!</td></tr>
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We were about a quarter mile from the rapids, and with 5 minutes to go, we could just cruise over slowly and arrive right on time. But what was that THUMP! THUMP! THUMP! ?? Better take the engines out of gear and find out. It didn't take long. A glance astern confirmed that the tow-line for our inflatable dinghy was nowhere in sight, and the dinghy was right at the stern. Those of you with boating experience already know what happened. Yep, wrapped the tow line around the prop. What bad luck, we thought. We had only a couple minutes to get through the rapids, and here we were stuck. And with no other boaters around to help.<br />
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But our luck was not all bad: Only one prop was fouled; the other one seemed to be clear. This was our first lucky break. If both props had fouled, we would have been adrift, and there was no possibility of anchoring. The water is very deep right up to the shoreline. No other boats around. No radio communication with the Coast Guard. Not a pleasant thought. But one prop was free! We could make it through the rapids on one engine; I just had to make sure that our guests didn't notice my white knuckles on the wheel!<br />
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The channel is very narrow, not much more than 50 feet wide at low tide, and there is a sharp right turn part way through. Not the sort of thing you'd like to do with one engine out, but there were no easy choices. We could either go through the channel and into Princess Louisa, where we could tie to the dock and hope to get the prop untangled, or make the 6-hour trip back down to Pender Harbor on one engine, hope to find a local diver, and try for Princess Louisa another day. The decision was made -- we'll try the channel.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWO7V7nxZWuMKGtbonVLsJNpB8GZZSNohKR2y0u4_RuES0Otlok5N3P6nRfSlGMJmuZDt-7BVXoKbI4At2-jjc_my2W77lidEjltZB4kE2IRkBWakWBCVMRny7n6ItdHTEV8lv1I4JO4s/s1600/IMG_2837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWO7V7nxZWuMKGtbonVLsJNpB8GZZSNohKR2y0u4_RuES0Otlok5N3P6nRfSlGMJmuZDt-7BVXoKbI4At2-jjc_my2W77lidEjltZB4kE2IRkBWakWBCVMRny7n6ItdHTEV8lv1I4JO4s/s400/IMG_2837.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Safely at the dock. Princess Louisa Inlet.</td></tr>
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With no opposing boat traffic and slack water, we came through the narrow channel in fine style. We were soon into the inlet, among the towering peaks, and motoring toward the dock at Chatterbox Falls. Maneuvering a twin-engine boat in tight quarters on one engine is a challenge, but we managed to get to the dock without embarrassing ourselves. So far, so good. But now what? We still have this tow line wrapped around the prop shaft. My friend Ken graciously volunteered to go in the water to untangle things. "Do you have a mask?", he asks. Of course. You never know when you might have to do a little diving, so we keep one on board. Ken has done a lot of scuba diving, and read in the cruising guide that the water in Princess Louisa is pleasantly warm in the summer. No problem. Well, ... it wasn't summer. It was mid-May, and the water temperature was in the low 50s. Ken jumped in, made a quick attempt to untangle things, and that was all he could do. Way too cold! We got him out of the water and into the shower to warm up. Fortunately he was none the worse for it; we learned long ago that this cold water is dangerous and must be respected. We were still stuck.<br />
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And now our second bit of good luck: Our failed diving venture had attracted the attention of other boaters on the dock. <br />
"Hi, I'm Nina off the trimaran Rikki-tikki-tavi. What's up?"<br />
"Hi I'm Rick. Got a line wrapped around the prop. Thought we could untangle it, but the water's just too cold."<br />
"Oh, bad luck. But maybe we can help. My husband has a dry suit on board. I'm sure he'd be willing to lend it to you."<br />
"Fantastic! That should do the trick."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHH1E3_LZ2UMDZ6JqhxZH-yEG5sJHqE6loCPshG26qAV9ZdrLnVtNXua2p9RF_4eLP04NAjsPvsGNPDlrmysIWkYFo5lNPu07zD1YDY_2Wyo6h1No0E3qa8CP16_ERE25KAju-YwDJjDo/s1600/IMG_2825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHH1E3_LZ2UMDZ6JqhxZH-yEG5sJHqE6loCPshG26qAV9ZdrLnVtNXua2p9RF_4eLP04NAjsPvsGNPDlrmysIWkYFo5lNPu07zD1YDY_2Wyo6h1No0E3qa8CP16_ERE25KAju-YwDJjDo/s400/IMG_2825.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nina helping Clark get suited up. More help from another cruiser.</td></tr>
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A few minutes later, down the dock came Clark and his dry suit. Now our third bit of good luck: Not only did he have his dry suit, but he insisted on suiting up himself and diving in. Once in the water it took him no more than 30 seconds to cut away the line. Clearly he had done this before. Then back out of the water -- job done.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXFcGGQ9R7AgKORGbRWCbwGCsxOY-XPh6q5QkZO7KybdFdTaJQ4RibDFX6zpN3WaLyxmCX9PIXcXVESMSP_nFr1Ezx_KPkHBe-_ji0-HsUeYCMP8BJROBpo5Z6bj0pVriW6bLqNw3nGA/s1600/IMG_2826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXFcGGQ9R7AgKORGbRWCbwGCsxOY-XPh6q5QkZO7KybdFdTaJQ4RibDFX6zpN3WaLyxmCX9PIXcXVESMSP_nFr1Ezx_KPkHBe-_ji0-HsUeYCMP8BJROBpo5Z6bj0pVriW6bLqNw3nGA/s400/IMG_2826.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In he goes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxDbD3VCNBRT2rEjx_sua-FQkPbPKAUG4EhLVwjafBEv4hpinRl_VfU09WBlTw_d7fhlKy0PslOfUxmVWrljOtfjqLi2pBnJS6Mm86ZVebPe7oHFJoOpnovbW5_abnt1fTP1S3Qyvda0/s1600/IMG_2828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxDbD3VCNBRT2rEjx_sua-FQkPbPKAUG4EhLVwjafBEv4hpinRl_VfU09WBlTw_d7fhlKy0PslOfUxmVWrljOtfjqLi2pBnJS6Mm86ZVebPe7oHFJoOpnovbW5_abnt1fTP1S3Qyvda0/s400/IMG_2828.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The offending line.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjU1kri_BY_zG6nc6Etc2NeJb09Zrk5P6eATELpQXwAAouAo0-12_SRD17iblWmOEWQ-W5qsavCyj6g8Tz6f-azEweORLGQrnuzl97Mn3fqniIR4UyYcC7ifG4cuHzwp2Tr3vyBYjC4lI/s1600/IMG_2830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjU1kri_BY_zG6nc6Etc2NeJb09Zrk5P6eATELpQXwAAouAo0-12_SRD17iblWmOEWQ-W5qsavCyj6g8Tz6f-azEweORLGQrnuzl97Mn3fqniIR4UyYcC7ifG4cuHzwp2Tr3vyBYjC4lI/s400/IMG_2830.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mission accomplished!</td></tr>
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Clark returned to his boat to get cleaned up, and Ken, Martha, Cindy, and I counted our blessings. We could not have been more thankful. Granted, we (actually I) fouled the prop in a decidedly awkward spot, far from civilization and far beyond radio range. No way to call for help from up there. We were on your own. But not entirely -- when you are in the company of other boaters, amazing things can happen. We owed Grant and Nina a debt of gratitude that was only partly paid by the two nice bottles of wine I dropped off at Rikki-tikki a short while later. We visited with them for a while the next day and got better acquainted, and then both boats headed off on other adventures.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgze_0EAZOxEkHwHqxGQhm6fiJEbsMm0MvkBa5jvsyxGBFoHU6vWDB-tWe7XPT99VzhM3XEfrp9IjhHcvXldVZpHifr_h6PK3e11PX3nO61xeg3cs4BlHMXFu5dYYy6EKT5k8BOlZhoASA/s1600/IMG_2862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgze_0EAZOxEkHwHqxGQhm6fiJEbsMm0MvkBa5jvsyxGBFoHU6vWDB-tWe7XPT99VzhM3XEfrp9IjhHcvXldVZpHifr_h6PK3e11PX3nO61xeg3cs4BlHMXFu5dYYy6EKT5k8BOlZhoASA/s400/IMG_2862.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Underway again. Cindy and Martha enjoy the sights. </td></tr>
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Happily we ran into Clark and Nina again in September, this time at the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival. Rikki-tikki was entered in the show, tied at the end of our dock -- a beautiful example of modern wooden-boat construction. We were happy to share our other cruising experiences from the summer and reflect on our chance meeting at Princess Louisa.<br />
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Again, thanks Clark and Nina, and "fair winds" Rikki-tikki-tavi.<br />
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<br />Rick Randallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07644700873528405056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858079763153577377.post-6970754694269487412016-08-09T19:54:00.003-07:002016-08-09T19:54:53.741-07:00Fridge Optimizer: Boat refrigeration enters the 21st centuryImmediately after we repowered last Spring I decided to replace <i>Compadre</i>'s refrigeration system. The compressor unit was installed in the engine room, and because the ambient temperature was often in the 80s, the unit was very inefficient. Just before installing the new unit in a better spot, I came across a review for a new product called the Fridge Optimizer. It's manufactured by a small company here in Seattle with the unlikely name of Stainless Lobster. I don't make a habit of doing product reviews, and I have no financial interest in Stainless Lobster, but this gizmo is one of the best things I've ever put on a boat, so I feel compelled to spread the word.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vdeu5uE2yGpbMfzxBLlc6T2U7POeIbB-OrIPMQyevC91fHPl3_B1i7FVDQGsYWL1PG73NuFL4ARTUZuFfk_dlVrXyaUSQ7q7s9lcOt6NqiiWY9dgM8reg84Mze6J6ik-lo5bjXM_0EU/s1600/fridge_opt_500x412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vdeu5uE2yGpbMfzxBLlc6T2U7POeIbB-OrIPMQyevC91fHPl3_B1i7FVDQGsYWL1PG73NuFL4ARTUZuFfk_dlVrXyaUSQ7q7s9lcOt6NqiiWY9dgM8reg84Mze6J6ik-lo5bjXM_0EU/s320/fridge_opt_500x412.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fridge Optimizer control head.</td></tr>
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Simply put, the Fridge Optimizer manages all aspects of your on-board refrigeration system. It is a thermostat, compressor speed controller, humidity sensor, automatic defroster, energy-usage monitor, and more. All in a nifty little control unit with a multi-screen display. It plugs into the terminal strip on the front of your existing compressor unit, with no modifications or special tools. Very elegant, and it works like a charm. It sells for $250 and is worth every penny.<br />
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Gone are the days of fiddling with that mysterious little round refrigerator-control knob: The one with arrow that just says "colder"; the one where you make an adjustment because things aren't quite cold enough, only to find 12 hours later that the milk is frozen. Now if I want my milk to be 37 degrees, I set the temp at 37 degrees. Pretty clever, eh?<br />
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And gone are the times when you would open the fridge door and find the evaporator unit (cold plate) caked with ice ("I know that salmon is in there somewhere, but all I see is ice"). The fridge now defrosts itself. Really!<br />
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How many times have you wondered how many amp-hours your refrigerator was using -- "Honey, it seems like this darned thing is running constantly. Is it supposed to do that? Why is the house battery so low." The Fridge Optimizer tracks the energy used by the refrigerator over a 24-hour period, and shows the percentage of time the compressor is running -- on a nifty graph. OK, my science background is showing through here, but this is actually very useful. For what it's worth, our new system runs roughly 37% of the time, and is a whole lot more efficient than our old system, which DID run most of the time. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOL6xq4avi2nI8Lb4EKREYz26-ZeC7Qd6u-JPKWjps38IQkNmzPhZxie5tq3JDQq1HbcksC0Ubw8_W2-n8r5zj-sFLY2Pa2xCzulpzWDqjIjxIlMyxm_ib_pKP45MDMeZETJpGzAmyzw/s1600/runtime+graph_300x353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOL6xq4avi2nI8Lb4EKREYz26-ZeC7Qd6u-JPKWjps38IQkNmzPhZxie5tq3JDQq1HbcksC0Ubw8_W2-n8r5zj-sFLY2Pa2xCzulpzWDqjIjxIlMyxm_ib_pKP45MDMeZETJpGzAmyzw/s320/runtime+graph_300x353.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The statistics: All you need to know!</td></tr>
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The thermostat is mounted on a small fan, which helps even out the temperature in your refrigerator and aids in the defrost cycle. The thermostat-fan unit is connected to the compressor unit by a small cable (included), and the control head is connected to the compressor by an ethernet cable (also included). The whole thing is very well thought out and easy to install.<br />
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So that's my pitch. Check out the Fridge Optimizer at the <a href="http://stainlesslobster.com/fridge-optimizer/">Stainless Lobster website. </a>Accept no more frozen milk. Rick Randallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07644700873528405056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858079763153577377.post-45108785410112780632016-08-08T14:02:00.000-07:002016-08-08T14:02:50.848-07:00Like having a new boat"Well, how are those new engines?" they all ask. I can only answer, "Fantastic! It's like having a new boat." We now refer to the era of the Chrysler Crown gasoline engines as the "Old" Compadre.<br />
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It's hard to overstate what a difference the new engines have made. Gone are the days of wondering if we'll get underway as planned. Many a time we had arrived at the boat with plans to cruise for the day or longer, sometimes accompanied by friends and relatives, only to discover that one engine wouldn't run. Sometimes it was a fuel pump, sometimes a carburetor, sometimes a bad spark coil. Sometimes one or both of the old engines would refuse to start after running several hours -- like when attempting to leave the fuel dock at Pender Harbour, B.C. No more. We just push the button and the engines start.<br />
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I had lost track of the number of times we'd been cruising along and suddenly lost one of the old engines. We didn't actually lose them, of course -- they simply stopped running. Once in the middle of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, once in Elliot Bay on the way to the Bell Street Classic Yacht Rendezvous , once in Agate Pass on the way home from Port Townsend, once in the Strait of Georgia on our way to Desolation Sound, once only a mile from our berth in Bremerton. Or how about under the railroad bridge waiting for the Ballard Locks to open? Twice! <i>Compadre's</i> log book reads like a tow-truck driver's memoir. Fortunately we had twin engines, and we were always able to continue to our destination on one. Or we just stopped where we were and fixed whatever was wrong. Sometimes it was a fuel pump, sometimes a bad spark coil, sometimes faulty electronic ignition. No more (I hope!). With the new engines we cruised to Princess Luisa Inlet in B.C. in May, to the San Juan Islands in July, and to South Sound last week. No problems. You push the button and they run -- until you shut them down. Wonderful.<br />
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It may sound odd, but Cindy and I didn't realize what a burden those old engines had been until they were gone. It was as if a little black cloud had followed us on all our outings, just waiting to darken our day. Now we can be more confident and spontaneous, exploring places we would have hesitated to go in the past for fear an engine would stall or die. What a difference.<br />
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Have I mentioned faster and cheaper? Yes, it's true. We now cruise at over 9 knots, compared with 8 knots with the old engines. And we do it using less fuel. Top speed is an astounding 13.5 knots, but at that speed the only thing larger than our fuel consumption is our wake. We won't be doing that very much, but it's nice to know we have some power in reserve when we need it.<br />
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By way of introduction to the "New" <i>Compadre</i>, I thought it would be nice to show some photos of our recent travels. We've had a great summer so far, and look forward to more cruising before things slow down in the fall.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1Nwyl_0rFuI9jYJEMfb9q8aKYenwzfb-325947_Z9HfnO2m57jLVq_MRNQFioC5R8ao8obmnriHhg4xoY2XLmhaYgA8Yh5WC9TV0zkX625Oio7JcseytjAxCrJbiN-NXML9VYTDffm4/s1600/jervis_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1Nwyl_0rFuI9jYJEMfb9q8aKYenwzfb-325947_Z9HfnO2m57jLVq_MRNQFioC5R8ao8obmnriHhg4xoY2XLmhaYgA8Yh5WC9TV0zkX625Oio7JcseytjAxCrJbiN-NXML9VYTDffm4/s1600/jervis_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"New" <i>Compadre </i>in Jervis Inlet, B.C., on the way to Princess Louisa Inlet</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Docked at Princess Louisa. Chatterbox falls in background</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2YdkFm6rMfbQdPinJD_5RaVap18QNoHCNRexFBnOSj3K5vLDgEnHYEGz75KKq9CvdqE-MYsSilQ9u5ZEDr9S3mSPolgQCGoDzVPJijwwmCmpwLPXXtTkoVYjgN4q-M7_AJL2hi8Q-_yI/s1600/princess_louisa_2_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2YdkFm6rMfbQdPinJD_5RaVap18QNoHCNRexFBnOSj3K5vLDgEnHYEGz75KKq9CvdqE-MYsSilQ9u5ZEDr9S3mSPolgQCGoDzVPJijwwmCmpwLPXXtTkoVYjgN4q-M7_AJL2hi8Q-_yI/s1600/princess_louisa_2_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chatterbox falls from the dinghy. Boat dock is right of the falls. Feeling insignificant?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPaDw0jzzLqIQhDbIQPtg23joLydILnEcoGGD-nXm1Y4uZ_wG0wT49XJsgbpG6SMnoZjnSw0jw8TeC7NoFkR5u__ISf5_evrKhx9bYwyRenQ7UNE2xb2HGOzZMWjyoUBB5PeUJIC6Irr8/s1600/malibu_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPaDw0jzzLqIQhDbIQPtg23joLydILnEcoGGD-nXm1Y4uZ_wG0wT49XJsgbpG6SMnoZjnSw0jw8TeC7NoFkR5u__ISf5_evrKhx9bYwyRenQ7UNE2xb2HGOzZMWjyoUBB5PeUJIC6Irr8/s1600/malibu_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Headed back toward Malibu Rapids, inside Princess Louisa Inlet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IAS8CLRc4fk3KP-Ao9ryG2ymUmw59uOXHCRNw24uqK5dlQDrM-eT4B7i7ykW256uaUOS2jEjnym0ImVJgDxktxGt5_zYpM6XfHe-zhgfrcHcyovZRlbicMkVOOXKQoD-bZZ59WErbxs/s1600/princess_louisa_3_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IAS8CLRc4fk3KP-Ao9ryG2ymUmw59uOXHCRNw24uqK5dlQDrM-eT4B7i7ykW256uaUOS2jEjnym0ImVJgDxktxGt5_zYpM6XfHe-zhgfrcHcyovZRlbicMkVOOXKQoD-bZZ59WErbxs/s1600/princess_louisa_3_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On a buoy at McDonald Island, Princess Louisa Inlet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflTYczChs2C3Ce6z2UXDI3azdgz32-J-2G47jHIr1yQSOQzh7EbnoLQzcU_WSjDkquujQcY6-SjB5CdYH7IIyfU5B2raK9SQlo_WrZPLXjnmLK_CX9G0P3-JKD0arnE3vnWTZXedBUw4/s1600/at_anchor_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflTYczChs2C3Ce6z2UXDI3azdgz32-J-2G47jHIr1yQSOQzh7EbnoLQzcU_WSjDkquujQcY6-SjB5CdYH7IIyfU5B2raK9SQlo_WrZPLXjnmLK_CX9G0P3-JKD0arnE3vnWTZXedBUw4/s1600/at_anchor_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early morning at anchor.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Zph7Y2s3QFoQD0CiPrqohbZHim478Bx5mVYwy3cYrBbRGg-G9jSau9LnmH8-r_iZJKime-VrfD2ZRP3qvF9V7MAg1N6RjAzD6MPEDSKft9oLN6KRfudpUPCH2eh8ZhnyNcuyU7kqshw/s1600/wallace_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Zph7Y2s3QFoQD0CiPrqohbZHim478Bx5mVYwy3cYrBbRGg-G9jSau9LnmH8-r_iZJKime-VrfD2ZRP3qvF9V7MAg1N6RjAzD6MPEDSKft9oLN6KRfudpUPCH2eh8ZhnyNcuyU7kqshw/s1600/wallace_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stern-tied at Wallace Island, Gulf Islands, B.C.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-fZ1hPopLqPiFKvHCx7mV5UxVel72izI6dMCBU9oPQ9mzRODv1wuDk22GzgVaK0Ny3cSSBcV2tuLLmdfSpf-5PocSRUEYbUfiyitvgYIFSWE47Prc2Xo373wCpXSf0gw3kBhi3zlFqM/s1600/sunset_clam_bay_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-fZ1hPopLqPiFKvHCx7mV5UxVel72izI6dMCBU9oPQ9mzRODv1wuDk22GzgVaK0Ny3cSSBcV2tuLLmdfSpf-5PocSRUEYbUfiyitvgYIFSWE47Prc2Xo373wCpXSf0gw3kBhi3zlFqM/s1600/sunset_clam_bay_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late afternoon, anchored at Clam Bay, Gulf Islands, B.C.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8X9ofckahhnlraMxDzb5oqyWKJP-tCzbNAAMdG1q4NdMJhIcE4VVLzlREulj2tjQ2MTakvCr4IKrth4eTBSDi9LnMrl4MbIFRVZFRZd-hjyu8kBND71sVTY_yPiKBxjNOyy6OAEQ9OU/s1600/sunset_clam_bay_2_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8X9ofckahhnlraMxDzb5oqyWKJP-tCzbNAAMdG1q4NdMJhIcE4VVLzlREulj2tjQ2MTakvCr4IKrth4eTBSDi9LnMrl4MbIFRVZFRZd-hjyu8kBND71sVTY_yPiKBxjNOyy6OAEQ9OU/s1600/sunset_clam_bay_2_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset at anchor, Clam Bay.</td></tr>
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<br />Rick Randallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07644700873528405056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858079763153577377.post-79212816161731646552016-04-24T20:57:00.000-07:002016-04-24T20:57:01.669-07:00In with the newWell, I'm pleased to report that <i>Compadre </i>went back in the water on April 12 with the new engine project largely finished. After aligning the engines and completing a few remaining tasks, we were ready for sea trials on Monday, April 18.<br />
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What a success! The engines run very smoothly and are quieter than I expected. Fuel economy is better than with the old gas engines, which was no surprise. What I didn't expect was a big increase in performance. After all, the new diesel engines are only 80 hp, whereas the old gas engines were 110 hp. But performance we got... We will now cruise at 9 knots, compared to 8 knots before. Fuel consumption appears to be a little less than 3 gallons per hour at our new cruising speed, compared to 3.5 gallons per hour before. So we are going faster using less fuel. It's not magic, but close to it. Chalk it up to the much greater efficiency of these modern, computer-controlled diesels.<br />
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In our last post I described some of the projects that needed to be done before the new engines could be installed: New engine beds, fuel-tank changes, etc. Another task was to build two new drip pans to place beneath each engine (a Coast Guard requirement). These are usually made of stainless steel sheet or fiberglass. It just happened that the Shipwrights Coop had some extra copper sheet left over from another project. The least expensive option (I almost said "cheapest", but on a boat few things are cheap) was to use the copper, so now we have two beautiful copper drip pans in the bilge. Few people will notice, but I hope the Coast Guard will appreciate them the next time we are stopped for inspection.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwYLxAHGIDumDWLSDhxvSsQ5aUMGt0hvN4UDTVFOTo5A0zswmhcyOXI2k9UckiL-l2ATOptiTd7XqbacYt123BTiJqDSN-rOMEbSN5_cURwqAOtwx3vNSSH9nRS2_Iz8lbvLX4B7EN0Q/s1600/pans_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwYLxAHGIDumDWLSDhxvSsQ5aUMGt0hvN4UDTVFOTo5A0zswmhcyOXI2k9UckiL-l2ATOptiTd7XqbacYt123BTiJqDSN-rOMEbSN5_cURwqAOtwx3vNSSH9nRS2_Iz8lbvLX4B7EN0Q/s1600/pans_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New copper drip pans </td></tr>
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After what seemed like an endless string of preparatory tasks, we were finally ready to hoist in the first new engine. Having already taken out the old ones, we pretty much had the process figured out. With one person running the overhead crane and the fork lift (not at the same time!), another to give commands, and a third (me), to guide the new engines into place, everything went smoothly -- we had it all done in one afternoon. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSKyRWl7o-oN33czaGLig3HUH2LLHexveT3p9hE4WaftUo11sfrseWQ_UKOuxf38-QlXcajRxU1n9x6IikrxJUeZizpU4bvtDZ5TekpBdogp6han76A8Nr0H79_uYAcAVar_xd_Ixasc/s1600/hoisting_new_500x660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSKyRWl7o-oN33czaGLig3HUH2LLHexveT3p9hE4WaftUo11sfrseWQ_UKOuxf38-QlXcajRxU1n9x6IikrxJUeZizpU4bvtDZ5TekpBdogp6han76A8Nr0H79_uYAcAVar_xd_Ixasc/s1600/hoisting_new_500x660.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up with the overhead crane.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAhA8c-AP0kTYImJc8ZvQApHsklMd5J7Iv1FXzUDiydXp8j34BjiHonqOrqIF1Sg3z9gGoEXCPrZE5Otxvtcj_V0ZBF0T4q61O6fIPug42ndXgriNamlPmIkTz8kcOgF37TmG7Ep39GY/s1600/thru_door_500x429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAhA8c-AP0kTYImJc8ZvQApHsklMd5J7Iv1FXzUDiydXp8j34BjiHonqOrqIF1Sg3z9gGoEXCPrZE5Otxvtcj_V0ZBF0T4q61O6fIPug42ndXgriNamlPmIkTz8kcOgF37TmG7Ep39GY/s1600/thru_door_500x429.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Through the door with the fork lift.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVptLO8sGRSTqdJVB955RzU3G_EVgkPIow6C5mmKCShUBOQhNKNRc9M1wGgU1s1CuHmskGC-JDQzOSB3cArcHdIBKeQ9JDmUkPGp_udUqS-M9vUMsIsJkQz2HGi8WPkS9Vl14uSKhyTPU/s1600/on+cribbing_500x667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVptLO8sGRSTqdJVB955RzU3G_EVgkPIow6C5mmKCShUBOQhNKNRc9M1wGgU1s1CuHmskGC-JDQzOSB3cArcHdIBKeQ9JDmUkPGp_udUqS-M9vUMsIsJkQz2HGi8WPkS9Vl14uSKhyTPU/s1600/on+cribbing_500x667.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arren rests the engine on temporary cribbing before lowering it into place</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8k68ngB7vbyMAAlHYmYpLUmrox0tUI0SLIgeE4N-Au_2qskYiSYE5DzuZfWpOv5EXbveTD_wEGp2OVibrAZPpN6aEaM4kaBrYr87Mu3PqOJ2oGTR4Co5hYHxQSxEiy_mBjjlQP1fFio/s1600/port_in_place_500x405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8k68ngB7vbyMAAlHYmYpLUmrox0tUI0SLIgeE4N-Au_2qskYiSYE5DzuZfWpOv5EXbveTD_wEGp2OVibrAZPpN6aEaM4kaBrYr87Mu3PqOJ2oGTR4Co5hYHxQSxEiy_mBjjlQP1fFio/s1600/port_in_place_500x405.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Port engine in -- one more to go!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MlxM7wiW1E9yPHJ7FmDhzOYpKFZBqe7p3A1lQ46Ld7mytkI-r7uaWoPvfq5_BceDSxq_B-XuJcWR7Z96vc2cpcadaCoe1963OLFownEyzx1vzJdhbWiNMURJ9JdA7Sg_a-G-K6lpjfo/s1600/final+installation_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MlxM7wiW1E9yPHJ7FmDhzOYpKFZBqe7p3A1lQ46Ld7mytkI-r7uaWoPvfq5_BceDSxq_B-XuJcWR7Z96vc2cpcadaCoe1963OLFownEyzx1vzJdhbWiNMURJ9JdA7Sg_a-G-K6lpjfo/s1600/final+installation_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're done -- ready for sea trials.</td></tr>
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One of the great advantages of having work done at the Port Townsend Shipwrights Coop is the wealth of resources available under one roof. In addition to wood-working expertise, there is metal fabrication of all sorts, machining, electrical, refrigeration, etc. For our engine cooling system we needed some hose menders that stepped down from 1-1/4 inches to 1 inch. We could have ordered stainless steel menders online for about $35 each, but our project manager, Arren Day, suggested he could turn some on the lathe more quickly and for less cost. So before long we had the ones shown below. Too beautiful to hide in an old hose! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5E1NjWD1IAanZcReqnHFfefAU36o3L6Pz27XJGtrcDvjnoTrfCbbc-P_PvngPKrUnaVRm-AEfvhIctdg3-a4QPOE2unv1kk3gzHGxA5z-ggY3fPjMp41-zSCVwvUAiBLx8Vjz1mMJ2f8/s1600/adapters_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5E1NjWD1IAanZcReqnHFfefAU36o3L6Pz27XJGtrcDvjnoTrfCbbc-P_PvngPKrUnaVRm-AEfvhIctdg3-a4QPOE2unv1kk3gzHGxA5z-ggY3fPjMp41-zSCVwvUAiBLx8Vjz1mMJ2f8/s1600/adapters_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Custom bronze hose menders.</td></tr>
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As we undertake various upgrades to Compadre, we strive to retain as much of her original structure and hardware as possible. One of our key requirements for the re-power project was to retain our original chrome shift levers in the wheelhouse. These stand on opposite sides of the wheel and are about 18 inches long. The long levers where necessary with the old engines and gears because quite a lot of leverage was required to shift gears. Our new gears shift very easily, so we don't need the leverage, but we need to retain the levers for historical reasons. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNfVca0Ex49Ul_MgnmvsSfwZaP5ZfEjafMKZA60Bbav2f2xiTf0zjBxCUx2JQEyeSF1UbDBlhfVhfRbxozV-YNWr6l9gOZ3h72mEt6jx58TmGN0iwei2SFklreV6Zg30pldFCguPVjyQ/s1600/console_400x309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNfVca0Ex49Ul_MgnmvsSfwZaP5ZfEjafMKZA60Bbav2f2xiTf0zjBxCUx2JQEyeSF1UbDBlhfVhfRbxozV-YNWr6l9gOZ3h72mEt6jx58TmGN0iwei2SFklreV6Zg30pldFCguPVjyQ/s1600/console_400x309.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Control console with original chrome shift levers.</td></tr>
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Arren and I discussed several options for mating the old shift levers to modern control cables. His solution was as elegant as it was ingenious. He discarded most of the old mechanical linkage that once connected the levers to the gears, but retained a short lever attached to the shifters on the inside of the control console. To this existing bronze lever he added a ball fitting to connect a modern control cable. The cable is anchored to a custom bracket fashioned from aluminum channel stock. Now we could connect the old shifters successfully to the new gears. Arren then fashioned a custom detent mechanism so that the chrome shifters snapped into forward, neutral, and reverse, and held their position until a gear change was needed. Needless to say I was extremely pleased with the result.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3che76UbG3xfo7B6Crk1nXT1kzmrxW_LjcOx-_sBzr8fwjsPbA9u3GD6asMsi-AKp_3Rjeery2U_x-g_1sBsqsSYp6MGDFtnWjvJ9sVUXekGzS3fJhljLnmBOL9Xyekng-PH4pPox_w/s1600/detent_and_bracket_500x667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3che76UbG3xfo7B6Crk1nXT1kzmrxW_LjcOx-_sBzr8fwjsPbA9u3GD6asMsi-AKp_3Rjeery2U_x-g_1sBsqsSYp6MGDFtnWjvJ9sVUXekGzS3fJhljLnmBOL9Xyekng-PH4pPox_w/s1600/detent_and_bracket_500x667.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View inside control console, showing new shift cable anchor bracket and shift detent mechanism. The detent ball is inside the set screw on the right end of the bronze lever. The ball follows the arc of the lever and falls into recesses in the bronze plate, marking forward, reverse, and neutral.</td></tr>
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While we were out of the water and under cover I took the opportunity to put fresh paint on the hull. Two coats was all I had time for with the press of other tasks; that will have to do until we haul out next time (three or four years if all goes as planned). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFHBnZ9p8XdCDOORv8XM5H-AsHUXEjxlMKaugMSAHXezix4srVNC5144iUB-_9mNw9E5Lpv-2Kh_zsnFMzHO_9FmrMfF-jpoKPYX9Qy25ol1tp142KE6yOmh50EYxphCUndejDNNo7Bg/s1600/new_paint_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFHBnZ9p8XdCDOORv8XM5H-AsHUXEjxlMKaugMSAHXezix4srVNC5144iUB-_9mNw9E5Lpv-2Kh_zsnFMzHO_9FmrMfF-jpoKPYX9Qy25ol1tp142KE6yOmh50EYxphCUndejDNNo7Bg/s1600/new_paint_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New hull and bottom paint -- looking good!</td></tr>
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We have had trouble keeping paint on the anchor guard since we purchased <i>Compadre</i>. The problem is partly because the guard is stainless steel, which doesn't accept paint well, and partly because the anchor slams into the guard every time it is raised (which of course is why we have a guard in the first place). The solution seemed to be to coat the guard with something other than the Interlux Yacht Enamel we have used on the wooden hull with great success for years. But what to use? Arren and I discussed this at length, first considering epoxy paint, then 2-part linear polyurethane, both of which are pretty durable. But we were still worried about the impact from the anchor. What we needed was a tough but flexible coating -- something like pick-up truck bed liner (if only it came in semi-gloss white!) <br />
<br />
Enter Moby Deck. Or what used to be called Moby Deck anyway. It's got another name now, which no one except the painter at the Coop seems to remember. Designed as a non-skid deck coating, it's tough and flexible, and adheres well to metal. With a special primer made specifically for stainless, this sounded ideal. So we turned the painter loose, and 6 coats later we had a very nice, semi-gloss white anchor guard. When I reattached the anchor just before we launched, it gave the guard a pretty good bump (not on purpose mind you). No harm -- no foul. We'll see how it does this summer while cruising. Stay tuned.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwmNPrnSaMvEiDuR0LIBstQPRbvSHz4tuzwfUiIW-jQtUhHAUlhGYkrGQlFywfVa-1JnSSPJupiN-3akuWQMQNlwriHGVs-jEDLi7UAaCzW5wpsXefnqUrjB2kRkv7hGFpy6BtxyqR31U/s1600/primer_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwmNPrnSaMvEiDuR0LIBstQPRbvSHz4tuzwfUiIW-jQtUhHAUlhGYkrGQlFywfVa-1JnSSPJupiN-3akuWQMQNlwriHGVs-jEDLi7UAaCzW5wpsXefnqUrjB2kRkv7hGFpy6BtxyqR31U/s1600/primer_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stainless steel primer is bright yellow. Some folks at the Coop suggested we keep it this way. I thought not.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWtqqmxo2lIcVz76LszQOM1nScT0hOd8zE_qtEebWMUMCNgeka_RKVE2MYXJCUATE0iLS53O74A4UjX-nc8EKFcbSx-E721oJbNnYTu4x2tIekMxflTLpg_c-pb-HyJwAW2OYaq2_xnE/s1600/moby_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWtqqmxo2lIcVz76LszQOM1nScT0hOd8zE_qtEebWMUMCNgeka_RKVE2MYXJCUATE0iLS53O74A4UjX-nc8EKFcbSx-E721oJbNnYTu4x2tIekMxflTLpg_c-pb-HyJwAW2OYaq2_xnE/s1600/moby_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anchor guard with it's new coating of Moby Deck. Very stylish.</td></tr>
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So with new engines, a successful sea trial, and best wishes from the Coop crew, we headed back to our home port at Bremerton Yacht Club on the morning of April 19. The day was calm and sunny, and the current was with us the whole way. Four hours later we were home. It was a great ending to a great project. <br />
<br />
Once again, I can't say enough about the crew at Port Townsend Shipwrights Coop, and especially our project manager and friend Arren Day. We could not have asked for a more positive experience. From the very day we arrived, partners and employees of the Coop would stop by regularly and ask me how things were going, and whether I had everything I needed. If they spotted me doing a particular task, it was not unusual for them to say "wait a minute, we have a special tool for that -- would you like to borrow it?" Not once did they make me feel like I was the amateur and they were the pros, although that certainly was the case. And the project was on budget and on time. I cannot imagine working in a more helpful and supportive environment. Thanks to all at the Coop for a job well done.Rick Randallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07644700873528405056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858079763153577377.post-44590505597087590492016-03-20T14:20:00.003-07:002016-03-20T14:20:51.435-07:00Of fuel tanks and engine beds After the old Chrysler engines were removed, we had several tasks to do before the new engines could be installed. The biggest of these had to do with the fuel tanks. The tanks are stainless steel, which is OK for gasoline but not ideal for diesel. The issue with stainless is something called "crevice corrosion", which attacks stainless steel when moisture is present but oxygen is not, like at the bottom of a diesel fuel tank. Since the tanks are relatively new (circa 2001, I think), we decided to modify them to handle diesel rather than build new tanks. The modifications included adding inspection/access ports, water-collection sumps, new fuel pick-up tubes, and tubes for removing water from the sumps. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNMZka6XA0uv5vhGnGrcklIvlvMUrro7zN6ZWc13gxu43auVr37BKaNqPrXqkWBlFJBYPIm8qkhsDp16dung13cpoB1mKhaafTR1NEDtjNAjrcvcBF7VmhZh4OoVHB8KOIlCTk-70XR8/s1600/tanks_500x667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNMZka6XA0uv5vhGnGrcklIvlvMUrro7zN6ZWc13gxu43auVr37BKaNqPrXqkWBlFJBYPIm8qkhsDp16dung13cpoB1mKhaafTR1NEDtjNAjrcvcBF7VmhZh4OoVHB8KOIlCTk-70XR8/s1600/tanks_500x667.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Compadre's</i> fuel tanks with holes for new access ports.</td></tr>
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A sump is needed at the bottom of each tank so that water in the fuel will collect there and not slosh around the bottom of the tank (and cause the dreaded crevice corrosion). After cutting an appropriately sized hole in the bottom of each tank, Arren took a large stainless steel pipe cap, removed the threads from inside, and welded it to the bottom of the tank, thus creating a sump. Very ingenious. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68Y3DfHmS8G7qvRYw1H614R_-Z646YqONAnjnHeubmxG95_7f2GTePhFkbKcNYhOaU5BSKRRTZlAXo2ZAogXyCc4-o3IjJucLy47Oq8pnP8hgIXje0gQ64lsCFNs4qdXDvqZGIz_Ll7g/s1600/tank_sump_500x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68Y3DfHmS8G7qvRYw1H614R_-Z646YqONAnjnHeubmxG95_7f2GTePhFkbKcNYhOaU5BSKRRTZlAXo2ZAogXyCc4-o3IjJucLy47Oq8pnP8hgIXje0gQ64lsCFNs4qdXDvqZGIz_Ll7g/s1600/tank_sump_500x500.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New sump at the bottom of tank.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIjYJXwKSmx0wDY1hTg8_JDVlB9AryEZRNocdOhwcfBtfW97klM4TTUmXVL64akMJjb661L-yV455ffqtVG_EppESn6mAmGTrFcfdpJX7irtewrGPStyQoRbKECTnIc4p0O13NG2ruSc/s1600/inside+sump_500x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIjYJXwKSmx0wDY1hTg8_JDVlB9AryEZRNocdOhwcfBtfW97klM4TTUmXVL64akMJjb661L-yV455ffqtVG_EppESn6mAmGTrFcfdpJX7irtewrGPStyQoRbKECTnIc4p0O13NG2ruSc/s1600/inside+sump_500x500.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New sump viewed through access-port opening.</td></tr>
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New fuel pick-up tubes were needed because the old tubes went right down to the bottom of the tank -- great for sucking up sludge at the tank bottom but not so good for engine fuel. We also needed suction tubes to remove sludge from the new sumps. Arren decided to place the two tubes next to each other and weld them together near the bottom, thus creating an assembly with good lateral stability (You don't want the pick-up tubes to be wagging around). This eliminated the need for separate support brackets for the tubes inside the tank. Again, very ingenious.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBCkRrOTXQBaorsAWul70otY_yGO3MkpjOd-NFPn3I_4JRJTsNJe1CA9crgdI85qBBbCZe-ZjSMgTVYpzhK9K5uGJBRNHUBjXVYvrAsqrjOddF0yDIIB1T2j0JRpZPwJUw_GeRU7GbYWI/s1600/pickup_tubes_1_500x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBCkRrOTXQBaorsAWul70otY_yGO3MkpjOd-NFPn3I_4JRJTsNJe1CA9crgdI85qBBbCZe-ZjSMgTVYpzhK9K5uGJBRNHUBjXVYvrAsqrjOddF0yDIIB1T2j0JRpZPwJUw_GeRU7GbYWI/s1600/pickup_tubes_1_500x.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New pickup tubes, with tank access-port frame installed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlX5p6tu3ELBa-BHOARY2WC3IA-kpFim3Q-ehixFQOukoWLfmOck73YmTyl1hYAYfbexh3LEjdD0xAPcfgWl6XNzQWufMZQLyDYfvlwG9LawQR6RNhLs_plzRMqRMsHpu4IvCGrHxp-k/s1600/tubes_500x667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlX5p6tu3ELBa-BHOARY2WC3IA-kpFim3Q-ehixFQOukoWLfmOck73YmTyl1hYAYfbexh3LEjdD0xAPcfgWl6XNzQWufMZQLyDYfvlwG9LawQR6RNhLs_plzRMqRMsHpu4IvCGrHxp-k/s1600/tubes_500x667.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fuel pickup tube (right) and sump suction tube (left). Very cool.</td></tr>
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While the tanks were being modified, the engine beds were changed to accept the new engines. Fortunately the original engines beds were still in fine shape, and they could serve as the foundation for the new beds. Several wood pieces had been added to the original beds many years ago when the Chrysler engines were installed. Those old additions were removed and new pieces were added on top of the original beds in order to support the new engines in the proper position. <br />
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We were delighted to find that the frames and floor timbers beneath the engines are still in sound shape and no repairs were needed. Dirty, but sound. We could live with dirty! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnG1U2DcMfWkOLZxjdNcRxtVoT79VBqh1yR_SbOIoPOuSQvHzw4StpVqeOyD4PWxxr0ck2kuaZm-ZMGX8hcQBPBp5REOXOgvNRJmCmJOw-Trc0rEAlOQuJCJ8ZLmKrOLHnl-UbCHAbAUg/s1600/beds_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnG1U2DcMfWkOLZxjdNcRxtVoT79VBqh1yR_SbOIoPOuSQvHzw4StpVqeOyD4PWxxr0ck2kuaZm-ZMGX8hcQBPBp5REOXOgvNRJmCmJOw-Trc0rEAlOQuJCJ8ZLmKrOLHnl-UbCHAbAUg/s1600/beds_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Engine beds with new modifications (the unpainted wood).</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Next I spent several hours with a paint scraper preparing the engine room for new paint. Many years of accumulated grime had to go. And then several more hours with paint brush in hand. Not a pleasant job, but I have to admit the end results are pretty spiffy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUOGEmZSn58PD16KevzCAr4DVQEjVeAY7zAepZc3LWW7sBokTibKIE8NDXr85ajj9VLXMZH2tgp8Fp-3blPIx631xxOEhqfJqbo3EAkjEHNczwUoi-tPFpJMV8I0zRUfyBDFD1aKe_io/s1600/engineroom_paint_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUOGEmZSn58PD16KevzCAr4DVQEjVeAY7zAepZc3LWW7sBokTibKIE8NDXr85ajj9VLXMZH2tgp8Fp-3blPIx631xxOEhqfJqbo3EAkjEHNczwUoi-tPFpJMV8I0zRUfyBDFD1aKe_io/s1600/engineroom_paint_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newly painted engine room, with port fuel tank in place.</td></tr>
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With the space free of engines and tanks, I took the opportunity to re-route a bunch of electrical cables, propane line, etc., that run through the engine room, and placed them in new conduit behind the starboard fuel tank. I won't bore you with the details here, but this is a big job I had been wanting to do since purchasing <i>Compadre</i>. It had nothing to do with the re-power job itself, but the three days I spent on it resulted in a more professional installation, and makes future wiring jobs quite a lot easier.<br />
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With the prep out of the way, all is ready for the new engines. We'll have that for you in our next posting.Rick Randallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07644700873528405056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858079763153577377.post-75657585525636441692016-02-27T18:49:00.000-08:002016-02-27T18:49:39.090-08:00Out with the oldIn an earlier post I explained our plans to repower <i>Compadre </i>with new Yanmar diesel engines. We are now part way through the project, and I'm happy to say that all is going according to plan (which is not always the case with old boat projects!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTufL3YNUYg4a-D2vNMluzCwjEhEFRaYggoVAvtqK8PlXxiLx6vomhe-4ec7OWzlRKx7k-zM6YZWwgvJ4ovccU1DsuqzXu3cDpYihhMilnGrkZmv1E6-G3X-cD-Zy3qw2tvESwRMlob3c/s1600/enroute_PtMadison_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTufL3YNUYg4a-D2vNMluzCwjEhEFRaYggoVAvtqK8PlXxiLx6vomhe-4ec7OWzlRKx7k-zM6YZWwgvJ4ovccU1DsuqzXu3cDpYihhMilnGrkZmv1E6-G3X-cD-Zy3qw2tvESwRMlob3c/s1600/enroute_PtMadison_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enroute to Port Townsend -- A beautiful morning on Puget Sound</td></tr>
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The last trip with the old Chrysler Crown engines was very pleasant and uneventful after a slow start due to fog. We left our moorage at Bremerton YC on February 2 at 0930, bound for Port Townsend, in very heavy fog. Visibility was only two to three boat-lengths, which made for slow progress during the first hour. Thank goodness for radar and GPS. The fog lifted as we approached Brownsville, and when we cleared Agate Passage we were in calm seas and bright sun. Benefiting from a favorable current most of the day, we arrived at Port Townsend around 1500. It was a beautiful trip and a fitting close to <i>Compadre's</i> Chrysler Crown era.<br />
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We hauled out on Thursday, February 4 and were placed inside Building 3 at the Shipwrights Coop. The Coop recently took over the old Townsend Bay Marine facilities, and most of their work is now done indoors. Those of you who have worked outdoors in the typical boatyard will appreciate the luxury of working indoors. The day rate for storage indoors is about twice what the Port charges for outdoor storage, and is worth every penny. No worries about the weather.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3CjilqVclnIOVQe1GrYgDiM9LFpR0snD0nA8pkeGZyh7ddr2TQow8oWFFjWk_yzZykHWu9kv6hIY6Ew_9EEHesej2gz-1HV7TArVjNegbPtky3aCBG7Xph85bYNbX1rVMTQ3eMmridM/s1600/travellift_500x413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3CjilqVclnIOVQe1GrYgDiM9LFpR0snD0nA8pkeGZyh7ddr2TQow8oWFFjWk_yzZykHWu9kv6hIY6Ew_9EEHesej2gz-1HV7TArVjNegbPtky3aCBG7Xph85bYNbX1rVMTQ3eMmridM/s1600/travellift_500x413.jpg" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our way to the Shipwrights Coop</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98nNzxX3mTRBsBh2qTkAY3nAEfep3XaAAVkbcfsZEzwrXttDMPFsRFMP8xakbvELUvjkkMA8srUgIOwdzrqhD-qetHK_Es28PAmupC2jTXjJPsVkRjDxl2XOOkJBB1aMrXANfhp5toqk/s1600/bldg3_500x348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98nNzxX3mTRBsBh2qTkAY3nAEfep3XaAAVkbcfsZEzwrXttDMPFsRFMP8xakbvELUvjkkMA8srUgIOwdzrqhD-qetHK_Es28PAmupC2jTXjJPsVkRjDxl2XOOkJBB1aMrXANfhp5toqk/s1600/bldg3_500x348.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building 3 awaits (that's a 140 ft mega yacht already inside. This is a BIG building!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22giXtz1aV7WVaL0iDEijuTEvaVQTgGqiR36lQQfB2oWu5cDYAvwHPOtfxLwDqLVs-6tY6wY5PPsNbPO9nsB4cvgxR3yPk99MUqxPY_sbjhr4OCrLuIYmimQkahiUlcI0oIaD0BgRTTE/s1600/travellift2_500x340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22giXtz1aV7WVaL0iDEijuTEvaVQTgGqiR36lQQfB2oWu5cDYAvwHPOtfxLwDqLVs-6tY6wY5PPsNbPO9nsB4cvgxR3yPk99MUqxPY_sbjhr4OCrLuIYmimQkahiUlcI0oIaD0BgRTTE/s1600/travellift2_500x340.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearly there.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kfpydsLBhbv_a14Ke0W2qHNei2MlgbCCE0Lr4_pDvJlWcS2q0cFdKTQker1BIHMPh4Ghgq9SmQuKp_mY4LNZy6SrkbOwsjtHZqDHhC9cM6dgbEgs9qAn7gI6lbwjanJHkSnBBGwcw6c/s1600/inside_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kfpydsLBhbv_a14Ke0W2qHNei2MlgbCCE0Lr4_pDvJlWcS2q0cFdKTQker1BIHMPh4Ghgq9SmQuKp_mY4LNZy6SrkbOwsjtHZqDHhC9cM6dgbEgs9qAn7gI6lbwjanJHkSnBBGwcw6c/s1600/inside_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to be blocked up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After <i>Compadre </i>was secure I began preparations to remove the old engines. I disconnected the electrical wiring and cooling systems, unbolted the engine mounts, disconnected the propeller shafts, and removed the alternators. The engines and gears could then be hoisted out through the wheelhouse doors.<br />
<br />
This is where experience really counts, and I was glad that Arren and Greg from the Coop were doing the heavy lifting (literally). While I was disconnecting stuff, they planned how they would get the engines out. There was just enough room to maneuver the forklift into place along the port side of the boat. With a chain-fall hoist suspended from the forks, the port engine was lifted free of the engine bed and up into the wheelhouse. After a bit of re-positioning, out the door it came. Once the engine was through the door they picked it up with the overhead crane, lifted it free of the forklift, and lowered to the ground. It looked easy!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVx0_TrBYcgqBMyYRg4-KwmS6n2DFjLZpB5SLAE3pTkhR-bQw0f7aw1VhzDHVRVFF7IS1itrisUqLQGtgzbJZXJNPz9IbYZWh7f-6TT7RlgHM9DK9SaNGrB2auaw44xszngnzV3zVZonc/s1600/forklift_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVx0_TrBYcgqBMyYRg4-KwmS6n2DFjLZpB5SLAE3pTkhR-bQw0f7aw1VhzDHVRVFF7IS1itrisUqLQGtgzbJZXJNPz9IbYZWh7f-6TT7RlgHM9DK9SaNGrB2auaw44xszngnzV3zVZonc/s1600/forklift_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In comes the fork lift (well, part of it anyway).</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQt4EKb0CIQIXTz8uQXz8AZFOg75l0wDirZu7kWjzFRh7hxR0-FaOqPOobbWpBK9IstsWk6CthZmV00jKg5BIfogG13UrKQgdrbdgdmf5MdtYeyvTtkPw5F7qfCAoox7B3vkcwJ5N5qlg/s1600/hoisting_375x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQt4EKb0CIQIXTz8uQXz8AZFOg75l0wDirZu7kWjzFRh7hxR0-FaOqPOobbWpBK9IstsWk6CthZmV00jKg5BIfogG13UrKQgdrbdgdmf5MdtYeyvTtkPw5F7qfCAoox7B3vkcwJ5N5qlg/s1600/hoisting_375x500.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up she comes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-mChSYc4cbfwGgSo3jE0UN-z17nOO1GFwLKj99IviTqHkFy5G6B0wFnQuUIKuiXBnL-I0ITu_5FTGRVf7nO7DoW7Lp6VJkql7rAOhGdHfliYX1typD2X1D8sEz_NsehIkC66JG2f7rI/s1600/midair_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-mChSYc4cbfwGgSo3jE0UN-z17nOO1GFwLKj99IviTqHkFy5G6B0wFnQuUIKuiXBnL-I0ITu_5FTGRVf7nO7DoW7Lp6VJkql7rAOhGdHfliYX1typD2X1D8sEz_NsehIkC66JG2f7rI/s1600/midair_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">800 pounds suspended in the wheelhouse -- anyone nervous?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtqlhe71gk5aCohP0qGvn1W3hwAcxDp6II8X18SR7nPJl8mPYYxRDtl6v6B07yXUFD3ISXLMxKHhi6Tt2eVKWiMkOGLJU3Wr1_kXMgGWtstNmVQbfwaugJfnyZYBQIS2ZDELXbzrcuI0/s1600/outthedoor_500x325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtqlhe71gk5aCohP0qGvn1W3hwAcxDp6II8X18SR7nPJl8mPYYxRDtl6v6B07yXUFD3ISXLMxKHhi6Tt2eVKWiMkOGLJU3Wr1_kXMgGWtstNmVQbfwaugJfnyZYBQIS2ZDELXbzrcuI0/s1600/outthedoor_500x325.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out the door.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhsXgc8rzUyAtuoMkqUz-At13vkqscCpQSWTc4nIQDOb6zjh0MAP7O_817-2pvbdsaDP0nrjRRtsdxEnf8RJPbSVbI2BxxAYkvlfJlCwNGrY5zEI72mHIsNTTBQnAVPdL74Sz11rJ8Lo/s1600/outside_375x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhsXgc8rzUyAtuoMkqUz-At13vkqscCpQSWTc4nIQDOb6zjh0MAP7O_817-2pvbdsaDP0nrjRRtsdxEnf8RJPbSVbI2BxxAYkvlfJlCwNGrY5zEI72mHIsNTTBQnAVPdL74Sz11rJ8Lo/s1600/outside_375x500.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now what? No more room to back up, and only part way out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibR6zz6XBjgvIEsGsGpRgwbx1q1mNvS3Cq6S1f10urMSIED26mpMi1kbqBQJgUjnDf_5jS2LfbQQaPTh85C2iraHSOvCKRRrWVydR94GnTclZX9EvWgbprCjtT2viEUTYxvERp5sVtImE/s1600/coming_down_375x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibR6zz6XBjgvIEsGsGpRgwbx1q1mNvS3Cq6S1f10urMSIED26mpMi1kbqBQJgUjnDf_5jS2LfbQQaPTh85C2iraHSOvCKRRrWVydR94GnTclZX9EvWgbprCjtT2viEUTYxvERp5sVtImE/s1600/coming_down_375x500.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The overhead crane did the trick.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVTkeLEyxOLgDShplOCb1mMnAE3YvAau25C9yr5Cppoig6mQjsMKpP8UcxzJFzpSOoDgCexLxf9mLzA6SSTm9hnk4NCATFWmzLpgIgAmHPtoPCXbMn3OjvhkRudNQNXawk2zujtLGm_A/s1600/one_out_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVTkeLEyxOLgDShplOCb1mMnAE3YvAau25C9yr5Cppoig6mQjsMKpP8UcxzJFzpSOoDgCexLxf9mLzA6SSTm9hnk4NCATFWmzLpgIgAmHPtoPCXbMn3OjvhkRudNQNXawk2zujtLGm_A/s1600/one_out_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One down, one to go.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The starboard engine followed later in the day. I had arranged for the new owner of the Crowns to pick them up late that afternoon, and we had them on pallets and ready for shipment by the time he arrived. Before long they were in the back of a U-Haul truck and on their way to a new home in British Columbia. It was hard not feel a little sentimental seeing the Crowns sitting on pallets. I had spent many hours repairing and maintaining them and a couple thousand dollars upgrading the electrical and cooling systems. At least they were on their way to another use -- better than the offer I had to sell them for parts. And true to the spirit of stewardship which lies at the heart of classic boat ownership, they left in better shape than when we acquired them 8 years ago.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Mx_6iKnCxnj3mW25RGJpZIfhJqAsvnjIleOgr6LuLBAL66oGXD1BhYqLYK29XN7CKLEaoVmjHF-7DJ5tmrwzTP0AUC6rdkG1ajpru_H1T4mdH7Cn-MulFzA0LFNZxDclHygAXKSOxFg/s1600/ready_500x294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Mx_6iKnCxnj3mW25RGJpZIfhJqAsvnjIleOgr6LuLBAL66oGXD1BhYqLYK29XN7CKLEaoVmjHF-7DJ5tmrwzTP0AUC6rdkG1ajpru_H1T4mdH7Cn-MulFzA0LFNZxDclHygAXKSOxFg/s1600/ready_500x294.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to go.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In our next post we'll look at fuel tanks and engine beds. And cleaning the bilge. Be sure to check back.<br />
<br />Rick Randallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07644700873528405056noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858079763153577377.post-37735687890886500662016-01-29T16:19:00.003-08:002016-01-29T16:19:56.467-08:00Completing our 2010 restoration project In our last post we described the beginning of our 2010 restoration project at Port Townsend. We finished most of the demolition and began to install new floor timbers. In this post we'll take you through to completion. In all we replace 13 floor timbers, 26 frames, and several planks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZFQGWUONZli9jw45VmORvElDwNhhz1mtrXMMZFBsWlSakbygjdrMOv2SEfwCjsqKtLywrIxR0v7CY01r5ak5GZA74rqu5I44D2e0GNC19G6SlC46mddZf7NXebPGFKksmLodqELd2jo/s1600/shelter_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZFQGWUONZli9jw45VmORvElDwNhhz1mtrXMMZFBsWlSakbygjdrMOv2SEfwCjsqKtLywrIxR0v7CY01r5ak5GZA74rqu5I44D2e0GNC19G6SlC46mddZf7NXebPGFKksmLodqELd2jo/s1600/shelter_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Under the portable canvas shelter at Frejya Boat Works, Port Townsend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One of our concerns when we started the project was the condition of the stem. As we noted in our last post, we saw lots of staining and rust in the forepeak and were worried that the stem might be compromised. Once we cleaned off 80 years worth of grime, we were delighted to
find that the stem is solid teak and was still very sound; the wood looked nearly new. Stephens Brothers
Boat Builders were noted for their craftsmanship and use of premium materials, and
<i>Compadre's</i> stem is a prime example. After some serious scraping and
clean up, Arren replaced the old stem bolts with new silicon bronze
bolts, and we were good to go!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAFRtLLQwF8j59UTPwm1mhA60Ij1rhJd2hNSHTJCupL8yUAs2KMmy5BkMkBuW9HYE8IMfCw-Qfl4XJpi1e8QC58A-4taTVXy7CaunUFqIZFokhs6EThqNRW8QqhJKxoq4uN0s41Dew04/s1600/stem_bolts_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAFRtLLQwF8j59UTPwm1mhA60Ij1rhJd2hNSHTJCupL8yUAs2KMmy5BkMkBuW9HYE8IMfCw-Qfl4XJpi1e8QC58A-4taTVXy7CaunUFqIZFokhs6EThqNRW8QqhJKxoq4uN0s41Dew04/s1600/stem_bolts_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New silicon bronze bolts in Compadre's teak stem -- Good for another 85 years!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As we cleaned up the stem we noticed an odd hole, about a half inch in diameter, extending completely through the stem. No one had a good explanation, but Arren thought it might have been caused by galvanic corrosion between two closely spaced fasteners of different composition (say bronze and steel). In any event it was no cause for alarm, so he enlarged it a little with a hole saw and glued in a wood plug. You can see half the plug on the extreme right edge of the image above.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvDIVcXItXpq8__WFTPDw2QzY4BmDeUejFgNIasXfMGk_Yz4Zf-gxdqPr_vZ0-nnSwJ_cjDt72iQmogCCcvcrxiLX8Mnx5k7XhAxQTc5NBl9ncTGS36sXfaioSUb32tVWVNsvSnktUTI/s1600/hole_500x384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvDIVcXItXpq8__WFTPDw2QzY4BmDeUejFgNIasXfMGk_Yz4Zf-gxdqPr_vZ0-nnSwJ_cjDt72iQmogCCcvcrxiLX8Mnx5k7XhAxQTc5NBl9ncTGS36sXfaioSUb32tVWVNsvSnktUTI/s1600/hole_500x384.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mysterious hole completely through stem.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVKDhiBvwKV_iESMyJ1P_SnPsL4Yam9Ckd3AMCHgJp2CjIgYGHSBYvoB2ojIGzcxkDfDsJZr5i-UaSrNGzgKP1BRLfRj4UXZ3zPhtCcuISA7G8rceaRXAkSJD_NhRHGEJ7laCtHHOTU-c/s1600/drilling_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVKDhiBvwKV_iESMyJ1P_SnPsL4Yam9Ckd3AMCHgJp2CjIgYGHSBYvoB2ojIGzcxkDfDsJZr5i-UaSrNGzgKP1BRLfRj4UXZ3zPhtCcuISA7G8rceaRXAkSJD_NhRHGEJ7laCtHHOTU-c/s1600/drilling_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening up the mystery hole.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlvXQx2fmMf8_B7VNfzQTYj0WZrj1JU48ZO6agACdnSEr8WKRYwNgDH2c7kM6W7vUcvwyWCEf8c0GMFgvUYlvuhKEoUoDHXrbXs6ZncyPAhc120k3BzGY_dtc8Fuh4VXpa9tFoGc-4BA/s1600/opened+hole_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlvXQx2fmMf8_B7VNfzQTYj0WZrj1JU48ZO6agACdnSEr8WKRYwNgDH2c7kM6W7vUcvwyWCEf8c0GMFgvUYlvuhKEoUoDHXrbXs6ZncyPAhc120k3BzGY_dtc8Fuh4VXpa9tFoGc-4BA/s1600/opened+hole_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the most serious project at Port Townsend has it's light moments! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After cleaning and refastening the stem, the next task was to begin installing new frames in the bow. The first few frames have little curvature, so there was no need to steam them. Arren just hammered the new frames into place next to the old ones. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4eMz70Mfn5pTolFW_6R66JZMoajcPZDLseFjHrGGbUinFjaY1lHvLHqW9p7710PWHfcA2ocyblLq5dD2afDD80ballVhyl1PHu9VWw0C1c-8lmQtfYSEq_TcotnhRqTdD1i7m2azJ9o/s1600/first+frame_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4eMz70Mfn5pTolFW_6R66JZMoajcPZDLseFjHrGGbUinFjaY1lHvLHqW9p7710PWHfcA2ocyblLq5dD2afDD80ballVhyl1PHu9VWw0C1c-8lmQtfYSEq_TcotnhRqTdD1i7m2azJ9o/s1600/first+frame_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arren installing first of 26 replacement frames.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTuJ-raQ1SayYMQ1aI6NGM_PhrUsSRXIIeBQka1i0NgS0N58-goXzvpFeEcJWOq0hz6_fwCklr1KVjvE3wpFYpnzSqve0uGQy2Q2_Xmywi8TS4ShzbHrbUJAK3__pwFJSRDWw-Ihw4XpU/s1600/new+frames+_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTuJ-raQ1SayYMQ1aI6NGM_PhrUsSRXIIeBQka1i0NgS0N58-goXzvpFeEcJWOq0hz6_fwCklr1KVjvE3wpFYpnzSqve0uGQy2Q2_Xmywi8TS4ShzbHrbUJAK3__pwFJSRDWw-Ihw4XpU/s1600/new+frames+_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four new frames adjacent to old ones -- Time to start shaping and fairing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjy14qgPtqnM5gRNqYjiU1zD4L93tcZ8Wpf12oB6BHuwRJK0lt04PfI35VKx-SCqpu2ogNEk51jul8MI0xQ9BE9pWgfX3ghxjLJy5Ph8RBHIQujRLNMLo2kJ2cFzDCWUv_8M6ejRTn8Y/s1600/Adz_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjy14qgPtqnM5gRNqYjiU1zD4L93tcZ8Wpf12oB6BHuwRJK0lt04PfI35VKx-SCqpu2ogNEk51jul8MI0xQ9BE9pWgfX3ghxjLJy5Ph8RBHIQujRLNMLo2kJ2cFzDCWUv_8M6ejRTn8Y/s1600/Adz_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Careful with that thing!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJNO6Ifu6h3HNYzxMjpV5a4MplO0ShC78GmUEY4NRdtJ3PrWJe0VQSaZtr6QrSV-DZuvA7vA4iYCXoXSOofcOA8WI4gmpbywjPi7B7P2Reqjmdxe7iX6pwiLsU8LpXLkLvw7W0DvYFZE/s1600/plane_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJNO6Ifu6h3HNYzxMjpV5a4MplO0ShC78GmUEY4NRdtJ3PrWJe0VQSaZtr6QrSV-DZuvA7vA4iYCXoXSOofcOA8WI4gmpbywjPi7B7P2Reqjmdxe7iX6pwiLsU8LpXLkLvw7W0DvYFZE/s1600/plane_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahh... Much better!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFyLFmrjLCqWjpqzQOel_ilcBRwrK2EV9-xFncICG0XR-RlnqVMBxXq1NAa_j4ajN-oPLsXnGkTEgReHqTtWaNSnVJi0eTy8lHecCtMcxMj7AmFXFPqmUUkf5kGBSswGx_k3iwFrI_-rc/s1600/fairness_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFyLFmrjLCqWjpqzQOel_ilcBRwrK2EV9-xFncICG0XR-RlnqVMBxXq1NAa_j4ajN-oPLsXnGkTEgReHqTtWaNSnVJi0eTy8lHecCtMcxMj7AmFXFPqmUUkf5kGBSswGx_k3iwFrI_-rc/s1600/fairness_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making sure frames are fair.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I mentioned in an earlier post how impressed I was with the craftsmanship of Arren Day and his small team at Frejya Boat Works, and the obvious pride they take in their work. That sense of pride is demonstrated in the details of the new first floor timber. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmM1ezYlQoAW5xC7iWsyhgHhX9mqfT1kuf27V44hyphenhyphen27UH9BMEHO557uC1_5UyXDQyu4bu7F3YutqiSt9AwxY4rc0rnwiFBWSFrSrFN205opROBCtVaY9YRj26TWaK2VHtCYtpWkjH6SFc/s1600/first_floor_500x375.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmM1ezYlQoAW5xC7iWsyhgHhX9mqfT1kuf27V44hyphenhyphen27UH9BMEHO557uC1_5UyXDQyu4bu7F3YutqiSt9AwxY4rc0rnwiFBWSFrSrFN205opROBCtVaY9YRj26TWaK2VHtCYtpWkjH6SFc/s1600/first_floor_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First floor timber -- Beautifully done.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This small, roughly triangular piece resides way up in the bow,
immediately behind the stem. One can see it from a distance through the
lower cabinet door in the forward head, but you certainly can't look at
it up close with the planks in place. It would have been easy to just rough out this piece, cut an opening for the keel bolt, and secure it in place. Instead, the opening for the keel bolt is pleasantly shaped with a nice chamfer around the edge. I like to think <i>Compadre</i>'s original builders at the Stephens yard would be pleased.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWqoy-75oYsYILjXn89TfcYt-gV1Je5FYvTpFAdg33KWy_njPCgvCM8nCMK_UIGCBwMEd8y8V9i1OR3TlxwAGrbgc81mxgeadC7qjjzmu4mstje90cvWz9L6RJ6t1rTr5x4TuIOKWgcg/s1600/second_floor_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWqoy-75oYsYILjXn89TfcYt-gV1Je5FYvTpFAdg33KWy_njPCgvCM8nCMK_UIGCBwMEd8y8V9i1OR3TlxwAGrbgc81mxgeadC7qjjzmu4mstje90cvWz9L6RJ6t1rTr5x4TuIOKWgcg/s1600/second_floor_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second floor in place -- Again very nicely done.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBsJoWmTsO-DJjP1OYOiWZONPufZTUpKIhOanJwC_l0ffJrrb47whWugpBYpQ-b5F0av_u2BtZygwXQiRnS-IkryGQzO4zAw9DXy5NFe_z-9eiYLProSmZ00LJOaUY-eoNZtrtFPU44U/s1600/new_floors_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBsJoWmTsO-DJjP1OYOiWZONPufZTUpKIhOanJwC_l0ffJrrb47whWugpBYpQ-b5F0av_u2BtZygwXQiRnS-IkryGQzO4zAw9DXy5NFe_z-9eiYLProSmZ00LJOaUY-eoNZtrtFPU44U/s1600/new_floors_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Larger floors farther aft. We're ready for planks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Even though I have watched the planking process several times, it remains "big magic" to me. I simply don't understand how a flat piece of wood can be cut to exactly the right shape to fit in a weird-shaped, curving space. And these guys even manage to make it look easy!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzANFFPUpNMuZbdEAEqVh8NgTLLn-BSX2O7aX7gRwRsa1VHJP2Z-C9TZ7Zfpi-e9JoDFS5WiOrn5b7H_n4Sb8qfZS3PS3H7HWBFrT76n3gposiV2Wyu_3wgWB02-Qpvs2M6JxwpWq1F4/s1600/garboard+pattern_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzANFFPUpNMuZbdEAEqVh8NgTLLn-BSX2O7aX7gRwRsa1VHJP2Z-C9TZ7Zfpi-e9JoDFS5WiOrn5b7H_n4Sb8qfZS3PS3H7HWBFrT76n3gposiV2Wyu_3wgWB02-Qpvs2M6JxwpWq1F4/s1600/garboard+pattern_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garboard pattern, starboard side.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQAqjqwRCwhgiLMIMNbj6mqQUbRej94tkqwtwjZa1kvfiR762nm26RIYHG0KLPDtpajn_Y6IZsy4dwIimI13HE1lwg_bWVZaVTtPhkHM1qffhmQ4toBY7RzmO3H7CzI38xSGLfiekIBs/s1600/measuring_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQAqjqwRCwhgiLMIMNbj6mqQUbRej94tkqwtwjZa1kvfiR762nm26RIYHG0KLPDtpajn_Y6IZsy4dwIimI13HE1lwg_bWVZaVTtPhkHM1qffhmQ4toBY7RzmO3H7CzI38xSGLfiekIBs/s1600/measuring_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Measure twice, cut once.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgQ8OTp5CGR-CBIE76-lDnEnNhN_HhG9itKhwJ1I7uCcTD8yxbn7bqbfLnDTz-TogW1VHOt2nq_CLS2CcJGYsdwvDg6HNp5idxw-JHwxdJSRrwS2moZu1c99e0g2bYrPplRRfQw9_DJw/s1600/garboard+plank_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgQ8OTp5CGR-CBIE76-lDnEnNhN_HhG9itKhwJ1I7uCcTD8yxbn7bqbfLnDTz-TogW1VHOt2nq_CLS2CcJGYsdwvDg6HNp5idxw-JHwxdJSRrwS2moZu1c99e0g2bYrPplRRfQw9_DJw/s1600/garboard+plank_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New garboard in place, port side. Magic!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As the structural work neared completion it was time for me to prepare the topsides for new white paint. I also decided to strip off some of the paint on the transom to see what was underneath. Was it teak? Yes! And off came the rest of the paint. After lots of paint remover and sanding, we had a handsome and clean teak transom. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKV9F5cfTFQhGQ0dse9yDo-5XyTdJ2OCkm_m8xzWNMPidpfJPiqN6LkinXI4JFGNAMnGNrEQN7uEHT862USKEXaWM3xfP_BksrVCAclDInN6CebqDekflE5P1dscescU1abOWIrAqXTI/s1600/transom_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKV9F5cfTFQhGQ0dse9yDo-5XyTdJ2OCkm_m8xzWNMPidpfJPiqN6LkinXI4JFGNAMnGNrEQN7uEHT862USKEXaWM3xfP_BksrVCAclDInN6CebqDekflE5P1dscescU1abOWIrAqXTI/s1600/transom_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Compadre's</i> teak transom emerges after perhaps 25 years under paint.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Under the white were patches of ugly green. Why do people do this? Apparently maintaining the varnished teak transom was just too much. In any event, pictures from the 1980s show <i>Compadre</i> with a painted transom, so the practice began some time ago. But no more!<br />
<br />
With 12 coats of varnish on the transom, new white topsides, and new bottom paint, we were again ready for the salt water. Off came the canvas shelter, and the shipwrights and owner took a moment to admire their work (I did the painting). Then off we went on the lift. After 12 weeks on the hard (February 11 to May 7), <i>Compadre </i>was looking good and was stronger than ever. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9les1-GjMOWRSqxQTCyi44KYmRABXdqJZMyMyciSoyAZiul6tA3ePOuJtVgprcLVYKfLIbiAzmH6qd1Jz_0IEEWLYRXAeJ1-mMUAu_9UkJkG3RevEW1JdLH0oQ5_GuO1zXFQch8FT7E/s1600/finished_500x426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9les1-GjMOWRSqxQTCyi44KYmRABXdqJZMyMyciSoyAZiul6tA3ePOuJtVgprcLVYKfLIbiAzmH6qd1Jz_0IEEWLYRXAeJ1-mMUAu_9UkJkG3RevEW1JdLH0oQ5_GuO1zXFQch8FT7E/s1600/finished_500x426.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shipwrights Matt and Arren on launch day. A job well done.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuh3RJJZtKMRGiiXeG7tQSbfqYt5s3UGJIyaX4DLfpDTTggaOB04HBRGhqkGdPFizTfMVs6oAuzAG8or3PBH0mmtuySdvU_BgWSKsvz3-BPnurHI6LGpzpGZ1A5Yjs8xkdGEp-7wLTts/s1600/launch_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuh3RJJZtKMRGiiXeG7tQSbfqYt5s3UGJIyaX4DLfpDTTggaOB04HBRGhqkGdPFizTfMVs6oAuzAG8or3PBH0mmtuySdvU_BgWSKsvz3-BPnurHI6LGpzpGZ1A5Yjs8xkdGEp-7wLTts/s1600/launch_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Off we go again!</td></tr>
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<br />Rick Randallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07644700873528405056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858079763153577377.post-15858485866965792072016-01-22T22:26:00.001-08:002016-01-23T08:44:45.432-08:00Our 2010 restoration project and some thoughts on wooden boat repairEarly Spring of 2010 found us back at Freyja Boat Works in Port Townsend for what turned out to be extensive repairs to the forward section of the boat. When we purchased Compadre, two critical areas in the forward part of the boat were virtually inaccessible, which of course is not a good situation. A 110-volt water heater completely blocked access to the forepeak; we could only peer in from a distance of four or five feet through the cabinet door in the forward head. From there we could see lots of rust and staining on the stem and bilge, and a couple areas where the wood look questionable. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Y0JAb-UtGZhsAOA4xK_9qOXMIt3E1V31TFgWnOtlqhNsXzi0YzNY-rkLs7KuxzdPLzEbaWOO4B8G44-Ql7X84vm3_jb_b5528bUQIFUTvSMvfh2WW3LORa9pn4HfoZHGxoxQoQZRss0/s1600/forepeak_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Y0JAb-UtGZhsAOA4xK_9qOXMIt3E1V31TFgWnOtlqhNsXzi0YzNY-rkLs7KuxzdPLzEbaWOO4B8G44-Ql7X84vm3_jb_b5528bUQIFUTvSMvfh2WW3LORa9pn4HfoZHGxoxQoQZRss0/s1600/forepeak_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forepeak with stains on stem, floor timber, and bilge. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To make matters worse, the bilge immediately aft, beneath the forward head, was inaccessible because it was covered by a copper-clad shower pan. Thus there was no way to know the condition of the forward eight-feet of the hull without some serious exploration. Was it safe? What about in heavy weather? So out came the old water heater and the old shower pan. No way to save
either of them, but no great loss in any case.<br />
<br />
Once we got into the
stem area and the forward bilge, we found just enough rot and
discoloration to make us uneasy. The frame ends were soft (they'd been
sistered in the past and the sisters were showing their age), and the
floor timbers (probably original) were soft in spots. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXdWwCViK-y7F6z8uBRCwWoU2PXw5uq-I939pmjJucJXxVIQlf2JfPbpCYxsSSS0-oUEBEu9F6_lXOmCsmrlmZIx8EmAT9xkvW65LxezosaMpKBxINyt6kguMngkX2Hdmf9iHNyP1lvA/s1600/forepk_detail_480x640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXdWwCViK-y7F6z8uBRCwWoU2PXw5uq-I939pmjJucJXxVIQlf2JfPbpCYxsSSS0-oUEBEu9F6_lXOmCsmrlmZIx8EmAT9xkvW65LxezosaMpKBxINyt6kguMngkX2Hdmf9iHNyP1lvA/s1600/forepk_detail_480x640.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closeup of the stem and bilge. Ugly... and is this safe? Notice the rotted frame to left of pen, with newer sister next door. The sister is bolted to the floor, but connection is not sound. A rather crude repair.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After consulting with our shipwright Arren Day, we decided that peace of mind would be worth a lot more than the cost of replacing some floors and frames, so we gave him the go-ahead to pull a couple planks and take a closer look.<br />
<br />
I feel obligated to pause here for some general comments about wooden boat repair, so as not to alarm anyone with the pictures that follow. One of the wonderful things about wooden boats is that virtually everything is replaceable, given sufficient resources. This is very different from fiberglass boats, where the entire hull usually is molded as one piece, and structural repairs can be difficult and sometimes impossible. The following pictures are dramatic and may seem alarming to anyone unfamiliar with wooden boats. He's cutting big chunks out of the hull! Looks like a disaster! However, as I noted with our earlier work in the stern, removing a few planks and replacing frames is the stock-in-trade of any good shipwright. While things might look horrendous, the process really is pretty routine. So relax and enjoy the show.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifoYNb0vKR0msa9izZaoyvPA5MlmsbGPw2lxCPsP-ANBdXOb-SdCy4aNonW3nDcIslJ5kgAnbzs12ANg_uc1H09dTTOmCVw-IokkwZUqAEc3lrw5nzGih8jYlXN0uuZw_mbt90R0Brtmw/s1600/opening_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifoYNb0vKR0msa9izZaoyvPA5MlmsbGPw2lxCPsP-ANBdXOb-SdCy4aNonW3nDcIslJ5kgAnbzs12ANg_uc1H09dTTOmCVw-IokkwZUqAEc3lrw5nzGih8jYlXN0uuZw_mbt90R0Brtmw/s1600/opening_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt opening up the garboard plank to have a look.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The first step was to remove the garboard plank (the one closest to the
keel). It turned out to be more work to pull off the planks than we
expected, which of course meant that the structure was still actually pretty
sound. But there was enough rot inside to justify continuing with the
demolition, so off came a couple more planks to give access to the stem,
frames, and floor timbers.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-nJEVfWDm8LKithyILO5XTp6n8qG-Gqr6cH2XTYalbxpngJaQTsSzbZ0EhcIyYXGPdkNg1xw3yru0Xo6Mm_ypHFYfv6qVrKUaV14qoHmsIYR7Zuf5WbZAPKMTdwRezLcWUD0j4rfmlNs/s1600/more_open500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-nJEVfWDm8LKithyILO5XTp6n8qG-Gqr6cH2XTYalbxpngJaQTsSzbZ0EhcIyYXGPdkNg1xw3yru0Xo6Mm_ypHFYfv6qVrKUaV14qoHmsIYR7Zuf5WbZAPKMTdwRezLcWUD0j4rfmlNs/s1600/more_open500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening a bit more. The Port Orford cedar planks were pristine, but no way to save them.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzsMe3axbOoRYiphOfePv3w7sLMnxyyS8m27KJjSBgfdRJyfooKkOsjMjoWOC-2Oy2nqa44o0Y_1deB_usAtMgs4VXU5TP1I2MgWc-P8VpTep1IOuhR8MWUfDjZoctw3O4kgJVtwO-uk/s1600/even_more500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzsMe3axbOoRYiphOfePv3w7sLMnxyyS8m27KJjSBgfdRJyfooKkOsjMjoWOC-2Oy2nqa44o0Y_1deB_usAtMgs4VXU5TP1I2MgWc-P8VpTep1IOuhR8MWUfDjZoctw3O4kgJVtwO-uk/s1600/even_more500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two planks gone and we finally have a good view inside.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It was almost heartbreaking to watch 80-year old Port Orford cedar planks, still in pristine condition, being ripped to bits to get access to the inside. Unfortunately there is no practical way to remove the planks without destroying them, so we had to accept that some of Compadre's original materials would be lost in order make her safe for the future. Alas, one of life's trade offs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXJX0xi-7uEvK-Lw_3NrMyLfgkv_rcu6yjH1svDGM5iYQhEBh-eugJMCBgtTMd5us2sWDOGcuL9N74eYk2rO1UnOyq-HF-oyy4tlroIaN_4QsmhUHCaNxe99PeDzYTiWFVGDaIlW2HoE/s1600/both_sides_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXJX0xi-7uEvK-Lw_3NrMyLfgkv_rcu6yjH1svDGM5iYQhEBh-eugJMCBgtTMd5us2sWDOGcuL9N74eYk2rO1UnOyq-HF-oyy4tlroIaN_4QsmhUHCaNxe99PeDzYTiWFVGDaIlW2HoE/s1600/both_sides_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Both sides open. And a growing pile of debris.</td></tr>
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Finally they had enough of the hull open to begin pulling out old floors
and frames (often they just left the existing frames in place and, after
removing any rotted wood, installed new sisters next to the old ones. The
resulting new structure, with double frames in many places, arguably is stronger than the original.) <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOx5XkoDa22mz9E0qRjQ-Q6eTTVAePJkms0Fz0YsCxYQ_RHu5poRqkHuuTzm2zz05MRDow-2I_e4zX6li2qRXJ5mQ0UFSiGH2dh1vkY-zMlYwpB_ZqIFIomriYJSZhOQNRWftSrFmdPE/s1600/oldfloor_500x480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOx5XkoDa22mz9E0qRjQ-Q6eTTVAePJkms0Fz0YsCxYQ_RHu5poRqkHuuTzm2zz05MRDow-2I_e4zX6li2qRXJ5mQ0UFSiGH2dh1vkY-zMlYwpB_ZqIFIomriYJSZhOQNRWftSrFmdPE/s1600/oldfloor_500x480.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An old floor timber headed to the scrap heap.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Of course you can't just pull out all the old stuff at once, otherwise the hull would collapse. So Arren and his crew worked one or two stations at a time, removing the old floors and fashioning new ones as they moved along. Work started near the bow, beneath the forward head, and progressed forward toward the stem. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Gy3ygPmW0M6UrDejAe5HuLBN6phTqsyqhtXe9u4VYcbnqBj1SoBQRa3IcIBOi2JmHLtyFOumKAHUSL42sJFq-jdpsqy7PYS6yaGQIILoCakuHAzgNJFX4r_Gy4EQ8EVqjt-TyvlsuFQ/s1600/newfloor_500x480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Gy3ygPmW0M6UrDejAe5HuLBN6phTqsyqhtXe9u4VYcbnqBj1SoBQRa3IcIBOi2JmHLtyFOumKAHUSL42sJFq-jdpsqy7PYS6yaGQIILoCakuHAzgNJFX4r_Gy4EQ8EVqjt-TyvlsuFQ/s1600/newfloor_500x480.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thin wood strips form a pattern for first new floor,</td></tr>
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Shortly we had a couple new floors in place and the work settled into a routine which spanned several weeks. After the bow was finished work moved aft toward the wheelhouse until we reached a logical stopping place (and the money ran out!) In all we replaced 13 floor timbers and frame-pairs, starting at the stem and extending back to the front of the wheelhouse. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqj8QYpOSHL41FPqZF78EOnlJFWWdB7BJGR-cKs3m37OPnXKUInHoNvUTfdYDpfrf-x5eECAntUAppOXYDjZt0DBxYO6kmxKxVzk6O33pGnVw8Jrh3lwyDa7X3QmMxkOGIN3OFf6mD5k/s1600/newfloor2_500x480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqj8QYpOSHL41FPqZF78EOnlJFWWdB7BJGR-cKs3m37OPnXKUInHoNvUTfdYDpfrf-x5eECAntUAppOXYDjZt0DBxYO6kmxKxVzk6O33pGnVw8Jrh3lwyDa7X3QmMxkOGIN3OFf6mD5k/s1600/newfloor2_500x480.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two new oak floors in place.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In our next post we'll have more pictures of the reconstruction and show you the finished product. Stay tuned...<br />
<br />
<br />Rick Randallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07644700873528405056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858079763153577377.post-15265725583844992782016-01-03T20:54:00.002-08:002016-01-03T20:54:28.029-08:00October 2007: Repairs begin -- Adventures in "Delignification"As I mentioned earlier, <i>Compadre </i>is scheduled to return to the yard soon for our planned engine swap. Target time is now the first week in February. As that time draws closer, I thought it might be useful to review the work done in earlier trips to Port Townsend in 2007, 2010, and 2013. I'll start with the earliest work in this post, then devote separate posts to the later two projects.<br />
<br />
During our pre-purchase survey in mid 2007 it was noted that the wooden blocks supporting the rudder posts were badly deteriorated and required replacement. The cause was something called delignification, caused by too much zinc. For those of you non-boaters, sacrificial zinc anodes typically are attached to the propeller shafts and rudders to prevent corrosion from damaging these expensive components. Corrosion instead attacks the zincs, which are periodically replaced. With fiberglass boats, owners don't have to worry about putting on too much zinc, and not much thought goes into selecting the size of zincs and how many to use. In wooden boats, however, the situation is quite different: Use too little zinc and the bronze props or rudders corrode; use too much and the wood near these metal parts is attacked by sodium hydroxide (lye), and the hard parts of the wood basically dissolve, leaving a spongy mess.<br />
<br />
So after suffering from too much zinc for who knows how long, in October of 2007 <i>Compadre </i>made the trip to the yard in Port Townsend to have the rudder blocking replaced. No big deal; just a few days on the hard, a little marine carpentry, then we'd be back in the water and good to go. Well, as with most wooden<br />
boat projects, we didn't know the full extent of the problem until we started removing parts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-rf-k4ViKyM7fNK-IqMfrJGgDpWXC-Xvub2m6oLwh4Qy5TU0xkHlzA1uV6yKn7xtKj6v9F3wINAuQLv8w7xDsTBsj7BU2Ou-6LwzN04UdpmSh8o5hgXUkyPiCZXkG7pZSjvOOIN0o5c/s1600/outside_rear_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-rf-k4ViKyM7fNK-IqMfrJGgDpWXC-Xvub2m6oLwh4Qy5TU0xkHlzA1uV6yKn7xtKj6v9F3wINAuQLv8w7xDsTBsj7BU2Ou-6LwzN04UdpmSh8o5hgXUkyPiCZXkG7pZSjvOOIN0o5c/s1600/outside_rear_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plank sections removed, where rudders used to be.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7cQG_wgyeVqEWcP231FPO9Q_r6lLcBfzqsX9E2-vyzWn3HiYi7HNQYm-86_ublzQ_8lO8mJW2plsRKcinRuWlEzeqmtfhSVk8NOcADjfhRWy9Xd0n96vBVZM-LYb_YzTjw6MXJNLna8/s1600/stern_open_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7cQG_wgyeVqEWcP231FPO9Q_r6lLcBfzqsX9E2-vyzWn3HiYi7HNQYm-86_ublzQ_8lO8mJW2plsRKcinRuWlEzeqmtfhSVk8NOcADjfhRWy9Xd0n96vBVZM-LYb_YzTjw6MXJNLna8/s1600/stern_open_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside looking aft with rudders and planks removed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
We quickly learned that not only were the rudder blocks shot, the planks beneath them were also mushy, as were the floor timbers and frames adjacent to them. In a matter of a few minutes our short trip to the yard turned into an extended stay. After some consultation with Brian Wentzel, our shipwright at Freyja Boat Works, we decided it made sense to do whatever work was needed in the lazarette area while we had things taken apart. Thus the project grew to include replacing four floor timbers, sistering three pairs of frames, and replacing the bad plank sections above each rudder.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1l89nuP3F0xJhC4DZK1FJFY-Q2S0dirdn7-ic0AufMz-v_aUwjBWu3zjPSTX9sDDzn29zpTiAaYGiWXLKmNeJy6Q7S6H1uOt0HX-aXVVS8HuJUnvHr1mD0f08Kq1BP5R8MR0W444UN8/s1600/floors_500x305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1l89nuP3F0xJhC4DZK1FJFY-Q2S0dirdn7-ic0AufMz-v_aUwjBWu3zjPSTX9sDDzn29zpTiAaYGiWXLKmNeJy6Q7S6H1uOt0HX-aXVVS8HuJUnvHr1mD0f08Kq1BP5R8MR0W444UN8/s1600/floors_500x305.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old floor timbers damaged by rot and delignification.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Once the old wood was removed, Brian went to work fashioning the replacement floors and frames -- the floors from purple heart (a hard, dense, rot-resistant wood) and the frames from steam-bent white oak. Soon the work inside was finished, and all that remained was to replace the plank sections, plane them fair, and prepare for new bottom paint.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EdJJBVMlV8OTTDTGOWq7C3p9iiFxQFWKqlQSIhL73o4RplLiWkLiYzXq-DPg8Y4p6hTuiloEvIbqH5xLPMLnhzba10rcb2uSSC613GfY29012-kO1j5V7wOs9d191IO7ThF6hJ1w7Ts/s1600/new+floors+inside_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EdJJBVMlV8OTTDTGOWq7C3p9iiFxQFWKqlQSIhL73o4RplLiWkLiYzXq-DPg8Y4p6hTuiloEvIbqH5xLPMLnhzba10rcb2uSSC613GfY29012-kO1j5V7wOs9d191IO7ThF6hJ1w7Ts/s1600/new+floors+inside_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four new floor timbers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HSY2QPPxHsW5JHvvpgEfpQntMIWrzv890RQv_v3B9MbD7QCnP-NHkq_duGbNACC3VsL2SV3YILIFFJkwwthScFRxc5IXfLmX8PKxV7PIDpr9DjjGOATWJXVeUDqk43jk5VPEeRPLbIQ/s1600/new_plank_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HSY2QPPxHsW5JHvvpgEfpQntMIWrzv890RQv_v3B9MbD7QCnP-NHkq_duGbNACC3VsL2SV3YILIFFJkwwthScFRxc5IXfLmX8PKxV7PIDpr9DjjGOATWJXVeUDqk43jk5VPEeRPLbIQ/s1600/new_plank_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brian planing the replacement plank.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next we replaced the rudders, put a new coat of white paint on the topsides, and had the bottom painted.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3cnQ0UBNojD0ZOoSvAlRZNyol4Go8R2ve1qgFGhd9zyi3UyHmL5XO8KrC7_tEr53Hfj5zFH4FLOxG74wDY7feGX-UQHcdhg3bH_S5oD78YY3kjxF7_gfB4t5GG2L0qPcRuDNofDICMg/s1600/new_bottom_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3cnQ0UBNojD0ZOoSvAlRZNyol4Go8R2ve1qgFGhd9zyi3UyHmL5XO8KrC7_tEr53Hfj5zFH4FLOxG74wDY7feGX-UQHcdhg3bH_S5oD78YY3kjxF7_gfB4t5GG2L0qPcRuDNofDICMg/s1600/new_bottom_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rudders back in place and new bottom paint.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJR05kAKbqTcWg6q9e84M7SoWv_idke4R6S9U-hlrcKyTZcYVn7QNCHp7_EzHp_Cn3uXfl_WXKIVCiTaNQAHIIO5mUFozmbrt6Xxu5oDceeu97PYbVgFpNIsduGuxNDgtqnLkXE5yqRZ8/s1600/finished_500x417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJR05kAKbqTcWg6q9e84M7SoWv_idke4R6S9U-hlrcKyTZcYVn7QNCHp7_EzHp_Cn3uXfl_WXKIVCiTaNQAHIIO5mUFozmbrt6Xxu5oDceeu97PYbVgFpNIsduGuxNDgtqnLkXE5yqRZ8/s1600/finished_500x417.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking good and ready to go.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Before relaunching, Brian and I discussed <i>Compadre</i>'s general condition and made a list of things that would need attention in the future. This was my first experience with a wooden boat project, and I was very pleased with the outcome. Brian and his partners at Freyja were very professional and the workmanship was first rate. Needless to say when it came time for future work, we knew where to turn.<br />
<br />
Having done all this work, the last thing we wanted to do was put on too much zinc again. We consulted with two marine electricians to learn as much as we could about electrolysis and zinc protection. Where that took us will be the subject of a later post. Suffice it to say that we have learned a lot, and the solution involved more than just bolting on new zincs from time to time. Stay tuned. <br />
<br />
Sadly, Freyja Boat Works is no more, the three partners having gone their separate ways over the years, with Brian moving on to producing fine wooden furniture. Fortunately Arren Day, one of the Freyja partners, has recently joined the Port Townsend Shipwrights Coop, and <i>Compadre </i>continues under his expert care. He will be heading up the engine replacement project next month.<br />
<br />
In our next post Arren does major repairs in the forward section during our trip to the yard in 2010.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Rick Randallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07644700873528405056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858079763153577377.post-89095366803376150562015-12-23T14:21:00.001-08:002016-02-27T12:41:08.504-08:00End of an era -- On to diesel powerAfter eight years of coaxing our old twin Chrysler Crowns along, we have finally made the decision to repower with diesel. The Crowns are 6-cylinder, flat-head gasoline engines from the 1950s. They have served us well (OK, pretty well), but it's time for them to go. In their place will be brand new 80hp Yanmar diesels. The work will be done at the Shipwright's Coop in Port Townsend, beginning the last week in January. I'll do some of the work myself, and the guys from the Coop will do the "heavy lifting".<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiY8IlHmH2s55psUEfMuLC8JxxsMrhIEUwLBVKPKpy8dIz3v9uzbPMWdB4Ey-4j3HDZor18Lq_OZrCYb_7xJnyarN7VoTg2A1IH3HPHafSCVsDDtlBo5t18cCZrxc8mHc8GNJz6qVPWCE/s1600/yanmars_waiting_500x317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiY8IlHmH2s55psUEfMuLC8JxxsMrhIEUwLBVKPKpy8dIz3v9uzbPMWdB4Ey-4j3HDZor18Lq_OZrCYb_7xJnyarN7VoTg2A1IH3HPHafSCVsDDtlBo5t18cCZrxc8mHc8GNJz6qVPWCE/s1600/yanmars_waiting_500x317.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our 2 new Yanmars waiting in Port Townsend.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The choice of new diesels for pleasure craft is pretty limited now, owing to recent air-pollution standards. Gone are the days of simple, straight-forward, mechanical fuel injection in the U.S. The only new engines available are those with electronic injection, which makes them overly expensive and unnecessarily complicated in my opinion. I would much rather be able to troubleshoot a balky engine myself, which I can do with mechanical injection, than have to take the boat to a dealer for diagnostics, which is required with electronic injection. But as I said, we have no choice if we wish to install new engines. And what would be the point of installing used ones?<br />
<br />
Volvo was another engine we considered. I am told they are good engines, but support from the U.S. distributor is reportedly not as good as with Yanmar, and prices are about the same. Engines from other manufacturers, including Perkins, Cummins, and John Deere, either were no longer sold in the U.S., were not available in the horsepower range we required, or were physically too large. So we're going with Yanmar. We had a 2-cylinder Yanmar in our Tartan-31 sailboat, and it gave us great service. We had no problems whatsoever during our eight years of ownership, and I'm sure these will be the same. <br />
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I swore when we owned the sailboat that I would never have a gasoline inboard engine, but as I explained in the first post of this blog, we decided <i>Compadre </i>was the boat for us, and gasoline is what we got. The Crowns were rebuilt just before we bought the boat, and only had 11 hours on them. They're about ready to turn over 1200 hours, but the engines themselves are very rugged and have a lot of life left in them. The problem has been all the ancillary equipment (carburetors, fuel pumps, distributors, coils, etc.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiua8nDh5_rJvlgDc8ATdufIguC9L8j0bKZcHLBoWScFLRNadkKcQAQwvPPWg_CcDuSt0n8RWGgxLPnzbijA3B1fpDvt0eXSbbVZ-ttJy7GpSdWrxpnmKQEfqsrKKSLPGjUj4iwXcNKW70/s1600/crowns_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiua8nDh5_rJvlgDc8ATdufIguC9L8j0bKZcHLBoWScFLRNadkKcQAQwvPPWg_CcDuSt0n8RWGgxLPnzbijA3B1fpDvt0eXSbbVZ-ttJy7GpSdWrxpnmKQEfqsrKKSLPGjUj4iwXcNKW70/s1600/crowns_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Compadre</i>'s Twin Chrysler Crowns </td></tr>
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Fuel pumps have been particularly annoying. They are not original, of course, since the engines are at least 60 years old. These are after-market pumps, more-or-less the same as the originals, but with some short cuts. It's the short cuts that give you fits when you are miles from home and suddenly an engine stops. They have failed so many times that whenever an engine stops, Cindy asks "is the fuel pump pin in place?" That would be the steel pin about which the pump arm rotates. In the original pumps it was held in place by 2 retaining clips, but in the modern replacement it is simply pressed in in the pump body with the hope that is will stay (it doesn't). After a few hours it works loose and backs out of the pump body until it looses contact with the pump arm, and everything comes to a halt. I've tried various fixes, but the best one is simply to span the pump pin with a small c-clamp, thus keeping it from moving. Not elegant, but fool proof. We've cruised for two years with that c-clamp in place and had no further problems.<br />
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We've had no end of trouble with carburetors. But to be fair, at least some of the problems are more the result of modern gasoline formulation than the carbs themselves. Modern gas is more volatile than it was when these carbs were designed, which poses a particular problem when you try to restart the engines after they've run for an hour or so. If you are lucky, they'll start right back up. More likely than not, however, one will refuse to start until the engine cools down, which is a real problem if you have shut down the engines at the fuel dock or in the Ballard Locks and now want to get under way again. Too many times we've had to limp away on one engine, hoping that we could get back to where we needed to go.<br />
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And the carburetor on the port engine is simply not right. It floods every once in a while for no apparent reason, but invariably it's when we are about to leave on an outing with guests aboard -- just refuses to fire, large amounts of fuel coming out the exhaust, and nothing you can do except pull the thing off and tear it down. I've had both carbs rebuilt professionally, and was assured both were OK. But they're not.<br />
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So all of this will soon be in the past. The Yanmars will be more reliable, more economical, and much safer. So why did it take so long to come to this decision? In a word... money. This project will cost nearly as much as we paid for <i>Compadre </i>back in 2007. But we knew the gas engines would eventually have to go, so better to replace them now and get some use out of them than to wait until we are thinking about selling and have future owners reap all the benefits. Such is the nature of classic boat ownership.<br />
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One knows going in, or should know, that the purchase price of these classic boats is low for a reason: Much of the long-term expense of ownership is out in the future somewhere, unlike a new fiberglass boat where most of the expense is up front. I will have much more to say about this in a future post, as it is perhaps the most important thing to understand about classic boat ownership. Classics are not more expensive to own than new fiberglass boats -- the expenses just come at different times.<br />
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It will be interesting to see how the engine swap affects <i>Compadre</i>'s performance. With the Crowns we cruise comfortably at 8 kts with the engines running at only 1500 rpm. At that point they are putting out about 60 hp each, according to the power curves published in the Chrysler maintenance manual. The Yanmars are rated at 80 hp at about 2800 rpm if I remember correctly. The torque curves are different, of course, with the Chryslers reaching max torque at a much lower rpm than the Yanmars. So we'll have to see. I'm sure we'll have to do some prop adjustment to get things right.<br />
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However it works out, we are not likely to match Compadre's performance when she was new. She was originally equipped with twin 6-cylinder Lathrop Mystic engines, which were enormous by today's standards. They weighed in at 1700 lbs! That compares with 800 lbs for the Crowns, and 500 lbs for the Yanmars. The Lathrops were quite sophisticated for their time, with two spark plugs per cylinder. They were rated at 100 hp at 1800 rpm. The Lathrop engines were options offered by Stephens Brothers; the standard engines were Scripps model F-6, 100 hp.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInSkNPsWpiKONBRwuyrOHtwKm75P5ZZ7yHHZBBcsXa2th6KPY8bNQBPfQDi_2S1sZDTBC7k5FEHWbOb2Ohw9CRQQNtxNBieQ4S_vM-357tPy01WrJkGy0JnCp8tUW_vOUPwzjjvHbGoM/s1600/lathrop_mystic_1929_500x237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInSkNPsWpiKONBRwuyrOHtwKm75P5ZZ7yHHZBBcsXa2th6KPY8bNQBPfQDi_2S1sZDTBC7k5FEHWbOb2Ohw9CRQQNtxNBieQ4S_vM-357tPy01WrJkGy0JnCp8tUW_vOUPwzjjvHbGoM/s1600/lathrop_mystic_1929_500x237.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6-cylinder Lathrop "Mystic" engine, from 1929 Lathrop catalog.</td></tr>
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In any event, <i>Compadre</i>'s original performance must have been impressive. Advertisements from Stephens Bros for their 43-ft cruisers claimed maximum speeds of "18 to 25 miles per hour", which surely was overstated for a displacement hull of this length. We have no written documentation of her performance, but in this early photo of her in the San Joaquin Delta she clearly was moving right along. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6THutY-auoFWi2DS6BS8GmGHPntWBe0rp2tVhk3WvTgXK-asGCGCtbyeUUXuyxqJK2rbISswjQe3hhVh8A4w4y2qFwZj3jY5XEjuQQiXFvPRj11w-RmUn8Au-ydtOVBW2YgLguFROok/s1600/Compadre_delta_infill30x2_500x339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6THutY-auoFWi2DS6BS8GmGHPntWBe0rp2tVhk3WvTgXK-asGCGCtbyeUUXuyxqJK2rbISswjQe3hhVh8A4w4y2qFwZj3jY5XEjuQQiXFvPRj11w-RmUn8Au-ydtOVBW2YgLguFROok/s1600/Compadre_delta_infill30x2_500x339.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early photo of <i>Compadre </i>in the Delta. Possibly sea trials in April 1929.</td></tr>
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Notice how far the bow is out of the water and the size of the wake. Now compare this with a recent photo of Compadre running at 8 kts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeX0sM9zFF5NaAjmVsUTz_DraYOIGvmR6L1KETtLLJNYSrols01XQis-2OuYgqPAeEnJizi_f5ynPgLeQzoshITUp7RROA9tYY60BxLU5FXXPVK7zxY22zI-n-IkPfsetYX7VxpoRytD8/s1600/compadre_brentwood_garth2_500x292_flip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeX0sM9zFF5NaAjmVsUTz_DraYOIGvmR6L1KETtLLJNYSrols01XQis-2OuYgqPAeEnJizi_f5ynPgLeQzoshITUp7RROA9tYY60BxLU5FXXPVK7zxY22zI-n-IkPfsetYX7VxpoRytD8/s1600/compadre_brentwood_garth2_500x292_flip.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Underway at 8 knots in Brentood Bay, B.C.</td></tr>
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There's no doubt she was moving that day in the Delta. I only wish I knew the details! We'll be posting details of the repowering project after it gets started. Be sure to check back.<br />
<br />Rick Randallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07644700873528405056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858079763153577377.post-25471500785783220312015-12-20T20:50:00.000-08:002015-12-21T13:05:43.001-08:00On the Way to Covered MoorageWhen we first purchased Compadre we hoped to keep her in a non-covered slip, under a full canvas cover. Of course, we knew covered moorage was the preferred approach. While covered moorage is readily available on the Seattle side of Puget Sound,
it is pretty rare on the west side where we live. After a couple seasons, however, we realized that canvas was not a practical long-term strategy. While the canvas kept most of the weather off, and using it gave us great flexibility in choosing moorage locations, enough chafe and other damage occurred each winter to keep us busy with minor repairs well into Spring when we should have been cruising. And ventilation was an issue, especially in the summer. On sunny days with the cover in place, which was most of the time, the temperature inside the boat exceeded 100 deg F. Big temperature swings are not good for wooden boats, as the seams open up due to the constant expansion/contraction of the wood. We decided covered moorage was not just a luxury; it was essential if we were to be good stewards.<br />
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But what to do? After a brief stint sub-leasing a boat shed from a friend whose boat was in Seattle for repairs, we spent about 6 months in covered moorage at Salmon Bay Marina along the Seattle Ship Canal, just inside the locks. It was inconvenient, but we enjoyed having a "vacation" home in Seattle. But it was also much more expensive than we could justify over the long term. We simply had to find a less expensive alternative.<br />
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Fortunately some good friends at Bremerton Yacht Club told us that boat sheds were coming available there because many long-time members were moving on to other activities. The economics were surprisingly attractive, even considering yacht club dues and initiation fee. Before long we were members and eligible to purchase a shed if and when one became available. There was, if fact, a shed available immediately. The price was right, but there was one problem -- it was barely wide enough for Compadre to squeeze in without fenders and it was 12 ft too short. What to do? We could continue paying top dollar in Seattle and hope that a better shed came along, but how long would that take? We might burn through a lot of moorage money waiting for a shed that fit. And we knew there was keen competition for larger sheds, and with no seniority we knew we might wait a long time before we were the successful bidders. So we decided to go ahead with the small shed (a "bird in the hand...").<br />
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But how could we us a shed both too narrow and too short? Expansion was the answer. During the course of Compadre's travels searching for the right marina, I met some fellows who were experienced in building and repairing boat sheds. As my good friend Ken Meyer of the Classic Yacht Association says, "It's amazing what you can do with a telephone call and a check book." Before long they were at work adding 2 ft to the width and 12 ft to the length.<br />
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Work began with splitting the shed right down the middle. The old decking and framing in the front were cut, and temporary framing put in place. Then the front was gradually pried apart.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioI5F4zQW6ez05Yl9IqM4aHZHDU262Uc3dQZRL7z8VfInU-yEWTIlEsFkHgTkvRSpkhPMMSJXUfSh3y43WdARx-nXr1if6CdceLmN4aMQKuVUffc_MseRB5J9qCrQbkj4ZSjCAKU2S1SU/s1600/shed_split_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioI5F4zQW6ez05Yl9IqM4aHZHDU262Uc3dQZRL7z8VfInU-yEWTIlEsFkHgTkvRSpkhPMMSJXUfSh3y43WdARx-nXr1if6CdceLmN4aMQKuVUffc_MseRB5J9qCrQbkj4ZSjCAKU2S1SU/s1600/shed_split_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spitting front of the shed.</td></tr>
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After the front was spread sufficiently, a new truss was fitted at the ridge line, and work moved inward to the next frame station. More spreading inside, and another new ridge truss fitted and spliced into the existing rafters. And so on for all eight original frame stations. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvgzx8sUE4C8AIcVoUjZfHXQqaN1sYwUI4roJoUxqrGRTpOEvpMqK_X_MsxZscuMvrXg8tUdvSuCRaABItZ3AvZsM-3usquZD9vjNMuf8C2_y-0XB2rpm1Mr2PY3_LpITq2W0CkjSweY/s1600/gusset_500x332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvgzx8sUE4C8AIcVoUjZfHXQqaN1sYwUI4roJoUxqrGRTpOEvpMqK_X_MsxZscuMvrXg8tUdvSuCRaABItZ3AvZsM-3usquZD9vjNMuf8C2_y-0XB2rpm1Mr2PY3_LpITq2W0CkjSweY/s1600/gusset_500x332.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New ridge truss in place</td></tr>
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Next came the 12-ft extension. New upright "frame" pairs were assembled on the work float inside the shed, then muscled into place and joined at the ridge. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1SFGlnLQJ4Ea48zb2-LWOEwJ9ilEGLTfuRT7vN1FtWdi09NMSTiYVLk7TIttjsE9jMH11RQoXnVj_ql8xPKyqjCT-8bedBqMJBsrXApqP1dEfFQg9gLh0juolGZrmjgDaaJ_aURNJSS0/s1600/frame1_500x667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1SFGlnLQJ4Ea48zb2-LWOEwJ9ilEGLTfuRT7vN1FtWdi09NMSTiYVLk7TIttjsE9jMH11RQoXnVj_ql8xPKyqjCT-8bedBqMJBsrXApqP1dEfFQg9gLh0juolGZrmjgDaaJ_aURNJSS0/s1600/frame1_500x667.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right half of new frame is moved into place</td></tr>
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This would have been tricky enough on dry land, but try it from a tippy, floating platform. On scaffolding. I hoped they had good insurance!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PIfJkoRQ0tUzGvFsZVuDe9kceVD5AcXyGYqEg8xpkxj7Srq7uvO8dHgsxZgOmd5S9r2VvuZXkl4wNOsJMxDsyF_fOMc1O9dKhUUE6DINam9_08g6GDDouRwVlGS7X73td0qU94uN5Ok/s1600/second_frame_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PIfJkoRQ0tUzGvFsZVuDe9kceVD5AcXyGYqEg8xpkxj7Srq7uvO8dHgsxZgOmd5S9r2VvuZXkl4wNOsJMxDsyF_fOMc1O9dKhUUE6DINam9_08g6GDDouRwVlGS7X73td0qU94uN5Ok/s1600/second_frame_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left half in place</td></tr>
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And so it went with the second frame station, which gave us 50 ft of overall length. Roof framing soon followed, along with new corrugated steel and clear plastic roof panels. Some new steel siding, and we where done.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home at last!</td></tr>
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Although we spent far more to expand the shed than we will ever recover when we sell, we feel it was the right decision given the alternatives. Even though we own the shed, we still have to rent the slip from the club. But with the cost of moorage at the club being less than a third of what we were paying in Seattle, our improvements will pay for themselves in just a few years. <br />
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Rick Randallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07644700873528405056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858079763153577377.post-46797767195213257102015-12-18T13:16:00.000-08:002015-12-19T08:14:39.172-08:00Not a Show QueenLest anyone think that <i>Compadre </i>is a "show queen", housed in a comfortable boat shed until she ventures out for the occasional wooden boat show, I thought I might post a few pictures of us enjoying one of our favorite cruising areas, the South Sound. In later posts we'll take you along on future cruises, but to get started I'll post some pictures from past cruises to give you a sense of what we've experienced. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcN5QhI-wnzZAnn_kDEJ4hVirvrSNsTQywQbUh5E_4G5IrrJJGkrDOpyZxhLpJAjQYVy_ftly56UlkrNaaJulJWd4NrNJds6nNarBTLa_ff3a2oQve1r2pg95dHQ8BrzY9xI6NT__Z_8/s1600/narrows_cropped_500x443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcN5QhI-wnzZAnn_kDEJ4hVirvrSNsTQywQbUh5E_4G5IrrJJGkrDOpyZxhLpJAjQYVy_ftly56UlkrNaaJulJWd4NrNJds6nNarBTLa_ff3a2oQve1r2pg95dHQ8BrzY9xI6NT__Z_8/s320/narrows_cropped_500x443.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching Tacoma Narrows</td></tr>
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The south part of Puget Sound is a broad area of islands and interconnected waterways, with many comfortable spots to anchor and enjoy the scenery. But unlike the more popular San Juan and Gulf Islands to the north, South Sound is delightfully uncrowded in summer, and almost deserted the rest of the year. As I mention in the "About this Blog" page, it is possible to go for hours down there without seeing another boat. While there are a few small marinas scattered throughout the area, the city of Olympia offers the only real chance for shopping or a restaurant meal. Instead, the attraction here is peace, quiet, and beautiful scenery.<br />
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One of our favorite spots, and the one where you are likely to encounter at least a few other boats, is Jarrel Cove. Located in a very sheltered bay indenting Harstine Island, Jarrel Cove is the site of an excellent marine state park as well as a small <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8WFZShxqurZxYgkieC0dR7vXMeR56gvrWJhYKOY8pa-Rv7JRjFHt6oF2rh2CO33fC_AxGBhcf3Kl_WBzxuYPvhQy6B46afuWbF4fiihRlQwL6exeORcudD3srHzydmgsyoRnxpwTqCU/s1600/Jarrel_cropped_500x302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8WFZShxqurZxYgkieC0dR7vXMeR56gvrWJhYKOY8pa-Rv7JRjFHt6oF2rh2CO33fC_AxGBhcf3Kl_WBzxuYPvhQy6B46afuWbF4fiihRlQwL6exeORcudD3srHzydmgsyoRnxpwTqCU/s1600/Jarrel_cropped_500x302.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At anchor in Jarrel Cove</td></tr>
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commercial marina with a fuel dock and store. It's a delightful place to anchor for a day or two, and when we visited in September this year, Compadre was the only boat moored at the park.<br />
<br />
Other favorite spots include Eagle and McMicken Islands. These tiny islands are both state parks, and offer a few mooring buoys and the opportunity to go ashore and explore. But there isn't a lot exploring to be done, as the islands are just a few acres in size; a few minute's walk takes you <br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHmdq7kfsqzN7F7x_hgBObNRNYQ2YOuGPpGJktB8oRTP3WQBfDNw13I9DislTZ92fsiXITCFvNBdra7QrSMmkY455Ma_8LValYsxHEo2Db4U2fu3pKHcYcoP6sBf0PUq_kpKIcjszRsU/s1600/McMicken_500x237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHmdq7kfsqzN7F7x_hgBObNRNYQ2YOuGPpGJktB8oRTP3WQBfDNw13I9DislTZ92fsiXITCFvNBdra7QrSMmkY455Ma_8LValYsxHEo2Db4U2fu3pKHcYcoP6sBf0PUq_kpKIcjszRsU/s1600/McMicken_500x237.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">McMicken Island and Mt. Rainier </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
completely around (provided that the tide is out of course). And did I mention Mount Rainier? If the weather is clear, and often it is in the summer, the views of Mt. Rainier are spectacular from almost anywhere in the South Sound. The
views from McMicken and Eagle Islands are particularly impressive.<br />
<br />
As members of Bremerton Yacht Club we enjoy many privileges, one of which is our our outstation at Oro Bay on Anderson Island. Facilities include a nice dock with electrical power and a picnic shelter onshore. It's a great place to tie up for a couple days and visit with other club members. But <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJ3G9KEXmfI4sq8Ynta93XXHqluHq10HuEnCrA8ohxV-kHtSHAD3BenNJjBLiiixWOe68jqCM_jwUsOrqokgu_J1DItWHGsMXi9BFnq3eSGuzGmJsCoVyFRi8WUqZAFuvpucrVfxl8Mc/s1600/OroBay2_500x476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJ3G9KEXmfI4sq8Ynta93XXHqluHq10HuEnCrA8ohxV-kHtSHAD3BenNJjBLiiixWOe68jqCM_jwUsOrqokgu_J1DItWHGsMXi9BFnq3eSGuzGmJsCoVyFRi8WUqZAFuvpucrVfxl8Mc/s1600/OroBay2_500x476.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the dock in Oro Bay. </td></tr>
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it is not uncommon to be there by ourselves, with perhaps a Herron or a few Kingfishers for company. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfh51P_t9RP9m9N6W6jfx5zi40qAJs34mMToF7XotPCugiTFf-56cJ_cK_kA84_WZPTgCnCiTqxud_yrrptGt0McEBXfHaYqmLcHD8_4kdTgJBQmmsordbgScIloKk0dk4VLeerSdtA0g/s1600/oro_bay_anchor_500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfh51P_t9RP9m9N6W6jfx5zi40qAJs34mMToF7XotPCugiTFf-56cJ_cK_kA84_WZPTgCnCiTqxud_yrrptGt0McEBXfHaYqmLcHD8_4kdTgJBQmmsordbgScIloKk0dk4VLeerSdtA0g/s1600/oro_bay_anchor_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At anchor -- Oro Bay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A collection of <i>Compadre </i>cruising pictures would not be complete without a view from the wheelhouse. Cindy is an avid gardener and flower lover, and when we're onboard we're rarely <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7wACS1OV9l-rp3zsHq6dDJIwcI8A9HVn824oaZfKh0pZDwmTKjwbxFQj55_3zX_IusrsRty_jk96wJuVAmVg0vDQsajWHZ5pQjZ7e7sImW1nSMl6hhRisKL-lwmPMocgMYNs3UlRD6s/s1600/flowers_ssound_500x667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7wACS1OV9l-rp3zsHq6dDJIwcI8A9HVn824oaZfKh0pZDwmTKjwbxFQj55_3zX_IusrsRty_jk96wJuVAmVg0vDQsajWHZ5pQjZ7e7sImW1nSMl6hhRisKL-lwmPMocgMYNs3UlRD6s/s320/flowers_ssound_500x667.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Underway on a calm, South Sound morning.</td></tr>
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without flowers in the wheelhouse to brighten the day.<br />
<br />
Regardless of whether we're cruising in South Sound or farther north, we are always aware that <i>Compadre </i>is a special sight for those onshore or on the water. We're sometimes annoyed that boats seem to be "aiming" for us when we're underway, and some boats will come quite close before turning away on a safe heading. They mean no harm of course -- they only wish to have a closer look. We can't fault them for that!<br />
<br />
<br />Rick Randallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07644700873528405056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858079763153577377.post-60728559986492106812015-12-10T16:55:00.001-08:002022-12-16T15:23:47.479-08:00How did this happen anyway?Where does one start a blog? Where else but at the beginning? So here we go...<br />
<br />
I'm often asked how two otherwise normal retired people, one of whom was a life-long sail-boater, ended up owning an old wooden power cruiser? To most folks this might seem a crazy thing to do; after all, there are many opportunities to go boating without taking on the challenges of a boat nearly 80 years old. But as I explain in the "About this blog" page, classic boat ownership is not at all crazy and can be a wonderful opportunity to enjoy and preserve a part of our maritime heritage.<br />
<br />
It all started innocently enough with a Friday afternoon trip across Puget Sound on the Bainbridge Island ferry, normally not an unusual event for those of us living on the island. As we were leaving the terminal in Seattle, Cindy and I noticed a long parade of boats in Elliot Bay, along with the local fire boat spouting huge streams of water -- obviously some sort of event. As the parade got closer we realized these were all old, classic motor yachts, perhaps 20 or 30 of them. And some looked old indeed, with plumb bows and very vertical lines. Others clearly were more modern, but none newer than the 1950s. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6z5CbYdYyVkHwDbsaDC6JyW8ybb4nFbl3f8pG3AsKAZ-icxACttSiO7X6RGD-vBgzOq0l1cpERYOafUk5ZsisBSj5HZwzG0BDy9P4aFujrjAsd_nypaexM4PTgisMB6rO-0cx8XZVfA/s1600/bell_st_2009_cropped500x235.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6z5CbYdYyVkHwDbsaDC6JyW8ybb4nFbl3f8pG3AsKAZ-icxACttSiO7X6RGD-vBgzOq0l1cpERYOafUk5ZsisBSj5HZwzG0BDy9P4aFujrjAsd_nypaexM4PTgisMB6rO-0cx8XZVfA/s640/bell_st_2009_cropped_500x235.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bell Street Boat Parade</td></tr>
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<br />
We had no way of knowing at the time that we had stumbled upon the
largest gathering of classic motor yachts on the West Coast, and perhaps
the largest anywhere: The annual Bell Street Classic Rendezvous
sponsored by the Classic Yacht Association. After reading about the Rendezvous in the newspaper the next morning, we were on our way back across the Sound on the ferry for a visit. And the rest, as they say, is history.<br />
<br />
It turns out the boats we saw the day before were but a sampling of the ones in the Rendezvous. There they were in Bell Harbor Marina! In fact that was all there was in the marina that day -- more than 50 classic cruisers in all, and some dating from the 1920s.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvT3_JPgkaetiAuTPiNY531zRtZU2h1ZlaGbeVw3IxiyTaZwXs4mAy407Rc-t-qMVCbaIxznVIdjhPuJ7IbeRAG63NHpGwqTxNEhvS_D5QnijjVJ4oMuCrK7TKOkUKCCZN3JgIYzAH8U/s1600/bell_boats_500x375.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvT3_JPgkaetiAuTPiNY531zRtZU2h1ZlaGbeVw3IxiyTaZwXs4mAy407Rc-t-qMVCbaIxznVIdjhPuJ7IbeRAG63NHpGwqTxNEhvS_D5QnijjVJ4oMuCrK7TKOkUKCCZN3JgIYzAH8U/s1600/bell_boats_500x375.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bell Street Rendezvous</td></tr>
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We quickly learned that admission to this event was free to the public and that many of the boats were open for tours. How could we resist? We occasionally had seen boats like this in the past, but never so many in one place and rarely in such good condition. It didn't take long before we were talking to the owners, asking the obvious questions: How did you get involved in this? And what does it take to own one of these? As I mentioned on our website, www.mvcompadre.com, Cindy and I had been thinking about alternatives to our 31ft sailboat, but were having trouble envisioning ourselves in a modern fiberglass cruising trawler, the cruising boat of choice here in the Northwest. We also learned that this Rendezvous was one of many held each year by the Classic Yacht Association (CYA).<br />
<br />
We had such a great time that day that we decided we would attend another classic rendezvous if the chance came along. Well, after visiting the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival later that summer, we were hooked. We soon learned that these boats were relatively inexpensive to purchase, and that we probably could find a nice one for not much more than our sailboat was worth. Off to talk to the yacht broker! For the better part of a year we watched the listings for just the right boat: Around 40ft overall, so we had room to take another couple cruising if we wished, and one with a single diesel engine (safe and economical). And if possible we'd like a Stephens, which we knew was a quality builder. Well, a few boats came and went, but none were just right. In May, 2007 we finally found several Stephens down in the San Francisco Bay Area, and arranged to see them. From the listings none sounded just right, but we thought it would be useful to see them for future reference if nothing else.<br />
<br />
As it turned out one boat was in poor repair, and two other had other issues that disqualified them. But there was still a boat up on the Napa River that sounded interesting. Except it had twin gasoline engines. I had said many times I would never own a boat with inboard gasoline engines -- just too dangerous. As it turned out, <i>Compadre </i>was just too nice a boat to turn down, gasoline engines or not. Everything we were looking for; we would just learn to live with gasoline onboard.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-pr3Tsl-4zRtSS_UIK1dze8OtkFGveQxaLbC2eY_hulQgYXEugpEnJ2XF9L4-1Hx49jBY2yNMUGavCz0DpRH9_l3xeE7R_cnlURBAst3UvyGDzF_AMTaUBzXIkg6Isfio2z3mAz38Wk/s1600/compadre_napa_500x394.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-pr3Tsl-4zRtSS_UIK1dze8OtkFGveQxaLbC2eY_hulQgYXEugpEnJ2XF9L4-1Hx49jBY2yNMUGavCz0DpRH9_l3xeE7R_cnlURBAst3UvyGDzF_AMTaUBzXIkg6Isfio2z3mAz38Wk/s320/compadre_napa_500x394.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Napa Valley Marina - May 2007: Could this be the one?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br /><div>
In a few days we had finalized the deal and arranged for a survey. Having never owned a wooden boat, let alone an old one, we didn't quite know what to expect. Would she pass the survey? What would the "to do" list look like (we knew there would be a list; just were hoping for nothing too dire).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKlDkAof4S-qCI2cTBw8hxKKPICCHBXHP-xWHaORpexBv6kpGdhjgwDDGg7F9piL_WQjCEV0GDnlB2Q4hKE6bjlKcaqH3BHm_s2zzwQIMIBkilbRVKV2p3anOPETujThx0pjXm02uhgQ/s1600/survey_500x375.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKlDkAof4S-qCI2cTBw8hxKKPICCHBXHP-xWHaORpexBv6kpGdhjgwDDGg7F9piL_WQjCEV0GDnlB2Q4hKE6bjlKcaqH3BHm_s2zzwQIMIBkilbRVKV2p3anOPETujThx0pjXm02uhgQ/s320/survey_500x375.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hauled out for the survey</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br /></div><div>
As it turned out, the surveyor was a good one (selecting one is always a risk in an unfamiliar area), and he and I spent the entire day going from stem to stern. In the end his list of "recommended" items totaled 52. Being an experienced boat owner, just not a <i>wooden </i>boat owner, I knew that many of his listed items were easily fixed and were not serious. In fact he thought <i>Compadre </i>was in remarkably good shape for her age, and with proper maintenance should give us many years of good service. The last eight years have proven him correct -- we've had several medium-sized repair projects, but little more than we expected from the survey (more about those in later posts).<br />
<br />
So that was it. Done! All we had to do was arrange for truck transport to Seattle and we would be classic boaters. No problem... we had transported our sailboat from Chicago to Houston, and then later out to Seattle, so we know the drill. Fortunately another classic Stephens owner in the Bay Area recommended an excellent trucker, and we were off. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50bi6HfgNwvl5ii7htVLQCVM2C9VUUP8J1RjGVI615Zw7SskVUM_y83i-xuTe3kSuz0hdBdY_xmaSa99oY-H_RiBG5VH5futB7i7RjkUFs68qIY0CM83UT3GLIoRXoTr4QUcZomj73Bg/s1600/trailer_500x375.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50bi6HfgNwvl5ii7htVLQCVM2C9VUUP8J1RjGVI615Zw7SskVUM_y83i-xuTe3kSuz0hdBdY_xmaSa99oY-H_RiBG5VH5futB7i7RjkUFs68qIY0CM83UT3GLIoRXoTr4QUcZomj73Bg/s320/trailer_500x375.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arrival in Seattle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The trip to Seattle and launching went as planned. And the sale of our sailboat was quick and easy. We were classic boat owners, and off on a new adventure!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_w6-7Bbm24xp5fsQ09W7sk3_T2oTdR3GV3nze3d7lR8Opax_ioIRpnFl_yi_ga8Hk6rib3H4nmax1pvtBT2Kmqp7TR6Q5I3ARQakUQslzvOv03TQj9UmZz_aFqKykovXnowc7rnPipE/s1600/launch_500x375.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_w6-7Bbm24xp5fsQ09W7sk3_T2oTdR3GV3nze3d7lR8Opax_ioIRpnFl_yi_ga8Hk6rib3H4nmax1pvtBT2Kmqp7TR6Q5I3ARQakUQslzvOv03TQj9UmZz_aFqKykovXnowc7rnPipE/s320/launch_500x375.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In we go -- Seattle 2007</td></tr>
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<br /></div>Rick Randallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07644700873528405056noreply@blogger.com0