Updates

Work has slowed down on Benevolence. It's been raining and our income is almost nothing. We are gearing up for a show this weekend. We did purchase our holding tank, y-valve and shower shump gear to start installing the head hardware. Unfortunately the hose is the biggest expense.


We refocused and came up with a finishing list and a project list for wet vs dry days. It was nice to see it on paper (for me) and that we can actually list what needs to be done. Before, the list was endless. Below is our initial "left-to-do" list and parts list. I'm sure there will be more but this gave us an idea on what to focus on.



Last night we went for our walk and noticed someone on the ol' steel boat. We've always loved the steel boat, it's big and a world cruiser but no one has been seen near it for years. We always tell each other that the lights we see on it are just reflections from the steet light but this time I said, "No, Brett. There are actually people on that boat!"




We veered across lawn next to the steel boat for a closer look. I noticed they were an older couple, barefoot, and told Brett we probably didn't need to worry about it. The old man waved at us and invited us to come aboard as long as we will accept a beer. We kinda laughed and said then we couldn't come aboard because we don't drink. He said to come aboard anyway. We introduced ourselves and they did the same. He shook Brett's hand and I reached out my hand. He leaned forward and gave me a hug. Jack and Marcy invited us down into their boat and we got to learn the story of her. They lived on her for about 12 years I believe it was and they owned her for about 22. They told us story after story and told us where to cruise in Mexico. It was so fun to talk with them inside their, now baren, boat. They had not been to the boat in years! They had us write our names in their log, the last log being in 2000. When we left, again, Brett shook his hand and he hugged me. It was awesome to meet them.



I enjoyed meeting them and was stimulated by their cruising talk for the first time since meeting Charl. It is always so neat to talk to real cruisers who have been there. People who had no engine but went anyway on their 42 foot steel boat. People who had crew utterly ill and couldn't help. The captain (Jack) broke his arm and continued on to Galveston, taking 7 days!! And they never called the Coast Guard or turned around.


Anyway, I could have stayed there all night and listened to them and asked them questions. But Brett was tired and needed a cigarette. oh well. He is used to cruisers and I am so new. But it was a really neat meeting and I hope to meet others with this kind of cruising experience. They told us they will probably end up selling the ol' steel boat soon. She is a great boat with a great story.

I have been trying to find a costume for our victorian show in December. It's been a challenge as victorian costumes appear to be quite expensive. But the search continues....




TO DO
OVERALL
Elecrical System
Lighting
Floor
wood trim
cabinet and drawer fronts
fill and paint head liner
instal water tanks
sew fabric stuff
paint bilge
install pumps
DECK/COCKPIT
deck fittings
tracks, water and waste fittings, engine vents, solar vents,stand up blocks,
install hinges for cockpit seats
install hinges for propane locker
repair teak floor
install compass/instruments
companionway
clean and repair sails
install antennas
windvane
finish varnishing toe rails
ENGINE
rebuild transmission
fuel intake
install engine
insulate
LAZARETTE
shelf for water heater
shelves for tools
shelf over steering
HEAD
install holding tank
install water heater
install head faucets
freshwater plumbing
install shower sump
overhall toilet
install toilet
install shower drain cover
install sink
macerator pump
GALLEY
build cabinets
install sink and faucets
install counter tops
stove
refrigeration?
Install foam insulation in galley
SALON
curtains
cushions
build table top/attach to leg
finish nav table
install electronics (VHF, radar, stereo,
speed and depth finders, autopilot)
SAILS
repair and clean sails
halyards
lubricate the mast
attach the windex
attach nav lights
spreader boots





PARTS
connectors, bus bars, solder, zip ties, outlets
lights (8 swivel under the cabinets-
2 led red/white), 3 under the cabinet flourescent
teak/holly ply,varnish,screws,
pressure treated ply for sub-floor, glue
teak,glue, mahogany ply, varnish, screws
teak wood,glue,varnish
rustoleum primer
hoses, water tanks, valves
dodger,bimini,sail covers, cockpit
cushions, salon cushions-fabric, thread, zippers, etc
paint
2 large pumps- 1800 gph, hoses
5200,bolts,vents,blocks,wood for chocks
chocks for spinnaker pole,
mid ship cleats, dinghy chocks,winches
hinges
compass
rebuild the hatch and refinish the rest
sail tape
windvane
Epiphanes




Engine:bearing, new seals, starter, altenator
insulation for engine room
wood, paint,screws
hoses, valves
water heater, heat exchanger hoses,
tp valve plumbing, etc
hoses,shower head and hose
hoses,valves
hoses
overhall kit, parts
hoses,valves
drain cover
head sink, foot pump faucet,hoses, shower,etc
macerator pump
birch ply
galley sink, foot pump faucets
electric faucets, hoses
formica
stove
system?
insulation foam
curtain hangers, fabric for curtains
cover or use sheets
wood/trim/varnish
wood, varnish, paint
flat screen tv with dvd
sail tape, thread, hanks?
nav lights for bow
leather and thread
wind vane