Hibernation...

Hi All,
   I know it has been awhile since I posted but I have been doing some recovery work in Elizabethtown after Hurricane Matthew.

   In my previous post I thought the motor control box

 was bad but found that I just had a broken cable after all.  It had corroded and broke just at the entrance to the motor.
     I decided to use a portable garage over Wind Wager instead of a tarp this year.

Wind Wager is asleep for the winter.

 This will be my last post this year as the holidays will consume most of my time.   I should start some modifications and Maintenance items in January.

1. Replace centerboard hanger
2. Replace Prop shaft on motor
3. Install New fore stay
4. Repair furler
5. Replace side stays
6. Install new sink
7. Add wiring for additional 120v outlet
8. Repair or replace pulpit
9. Mount solar panel
10. Weld trailer tongue (don't like clamp plate)

   We wish you a very Merry (Christ filled)  Christmas and safe New Years.

God's Peace,
Tom

Bye Bye Matthew!

Hurricane Matthew has come and gone.

 All is good on Wind Wager.  She sits on her trailer in the back yard and trees did not fall on her :)  I did find a new project.  With all the rain showing me some leaks.  I need to re-bed all the deck hardware to stop those leaks which can lead to wet cushions and mold.

I need to decide if I should replace or rebuild the Honda outboard control box.

I will need to do something before I can put her in the water again.  I did decide not to renew my slip and keep her on the trailer.

   I have a long list of repairs and modifications I want to complete over the winter.  However I also have a house honey do list I need to work on as well.  SO I should probably prioritize...   The Admiral has told me in no uncertain terms that she will not set foot on Wind Wager until I go through all systems and fix.  Does that mean I should get a new motor ;)  Time will tell..  

     Well we decided to mothball Wind Wager for the winter and not put in the water again this year.  I will begin the projects soon.  But, for now I have kayaks and a john boat that is asking to be used and fishing should be picking up.  Also, with all the flooding inland ,NC Flooding, I should spend some of my time helping those folks.

Take Care,

Tom 

That didn't work out...

I left Carolina Beach and headed for Pirate sail in Beaufort NC.  Made it to Wrightsville Beach with storms most the way

.  As I was approaching the draw bridge I lost throttle control...  I idled to a spot and anchored..  Waited for the storm to pass

I found that the linkage had vibrated loose and fell out of carb linkage.  Fixed that and topped off with gas and began may trip north again.

I SEE SOME BLUE SKY!!!

I was waiting for the Surf city bridge to open and when it did I pushed the throttle forward and wouldn't you know ... no throttle again...  I figured the linkage problem again and went on through the bridge at idle speed.   It was now about 5pm and making Camp Legune was questionable.   I opened up the engine cover and ....   dang throttle is still connected.    Now what...  After some further investigation I either had a cable broke or the control box itself.   I decided to call my wife for rescue and idled back under the bridge to the Surf city Wildlife boat ramp.  We had awful storms that day and night and there was a lot of street flooding.  The next day and went back to Wind Wager and loaded her on the trailer to head home.  

No Pirate sail this year...

  Take Care,

Tom

Ready For Pirate Sail..Arghhhh!!

Ahoy Mateys!
   Been working on the companionway ladder this week.   Decided to make one out of pine for Pirate sail before I start cutting up expensive mahogany.  Did two mock ups and some adjustments.

And here is the final for Pirate sail.

Also reinstalled the water tank,

Hung up another net for storage and the V berth cushions are complete

Decided to sail the boat to Beaufort for Pirate sail so I will start the trip Thursday morning.  I will be posting pictures of the event.

See you soon,

Tom

Wind Wager

And the Work goes on.... and on....and on

Funny how things turnout sometimes...  I was suppose to go golfing but rain put and end to that before we could begin.   So plan B had me heading for Wind Wager to try and get some check marks.  Decided to tackle installing the new fresh water pump and hose.

I still need to mount a filter.  This pump has a pressure switch that will turn the pump on when I open a water valve but my current faucet uses a flip switch.  I will need to revise a little once I install the stainless sink and new faucet.

 I also fixed my front hatch prop.

  Its been a pretty gray day at the marina

I decided to take the water tank out and work on it at home .   I always make a mess trying to put water in the tank.  I use to have to take the main cap off and fill with water then try to twist enough turns back in the waterline to let me screw the cap on all the way.

  I wanted to at least make it so I could fill the tank without moving it.  At least till I get  a proper water intake valve mounted through the hull.   So in between rain squalls I hurried and closed up the boat and headed for home.  This is what I came up with,a pvc hose connector screwed into a 1" hole I drilled through the top of the tank.

Pirate sail is next weekend  so I need to finish the trailer work this week if the rain stops.  More about that next time.

Have a Great Day,

Tom

Wind Wager is back in the water! STORM!!

Aug 31,   Well wouldn't you know,  I put Wind Wager back into our old slip and now we have a stormy weekend.  Kept the mast down till the storms pass.

It will be interesting to see the new companionway door holds up and if we have leaks.   They are expecting 3-6 inches of rain.
Sept 3,
   Went down to Wind Wager to check on it and rig the mast.

Found about an inch of water in some of the aft bilge area.  Looks like the new companion way leaks a little but then we did get about 5 inch's of rain so not bad.


Now that the grand kids have moved into their home, Pat and I can plan some weekend trips on the boat.  I do miss them though.

And of course Pirate sail is coming up in a couple of weeks.  Hope the storms are gone by then.

Plan on taking Wind Wager out Sunday or Monday.   We will see.

Take Care,

Tom

Some interior work while boat is home

Decided to do some interior work while boat was on the trailer at home.  I do not have power in the marina.  Also I am working on a wood version of the Billy Xbox.  The air conditioner is a blessing in this heat but do not want to keep lifting it in and out of boat.  I would end up damaging the cooling fins.

 I used a plastic corrugated board to make a template

  A WORK IN PROGRESS

Getting there

Will add weatherstrip to seal out rain between boards

Using black foam to make a back cover pattern

Also needed to oil the teak counter top.  Not sure this is going to work for the long haul.  I think I will look into a thin Corian top over the winter.

I need to get this done and put in the water soon.  Pirate sail will be her before you know it.

NCSAIL Pirate Sail

That's all for now,  take care,

Tom