We make such a good team!
Here is something that came as no surprise to me… Rebecca and I make a great team. When working together on boat projects we get so much more accomplished than if just one of us is trying to do it alone. Yesterday, being the holiday that it was, allowed Rebecca the opportunity to spend the full day at the boat with me, ticking away at our project list.
I am happy to say that the head install is 95% complete. A couple of notes on the install.
- If the available space was any smaller or the head was any bigger it would not have fit.
- When drilling the holes to fasten the mounting brackets I ended up using two 3/8″ hex head lag bolts and two toggle bolts because of the different materials I found when I drilled the pilot holes.
- The head is being vented outside through a hole which previously was used to vent(?) the holding tank. We used the supplied fan to do this.
- Because of the height of the platform that it is sitting on I want to work out a solution that will both brace under the forward part and add a bit of a step. That is not necessary though and with the addition of some peat moss it is good to go.
Rebecca tidying up the new wire that we ran for the head’s ventilation fan.
The “finished” product.
Another pre-launch project accomplished yesterday: Mast steps installed.
Because I have never tapped holes before I enlisted the help of a friend (the same friend mentioned in yesterday’s post who now owns all of my power tools). I figured it was wise to get some help because a) I don’t want any unnecessary holes in our mast and b) I don’t want either of us to be putting our faith in these steps when aloft and then have them give way! Even though we would of course be secured by a rope in that situation it would still suck! Together we installed two parallel steps near the top of the mast. Each one required 6 holes to be drilled and tapped. We used Lanacote to provide a barrier between the stainless steps and the aluminum mast and we used medium strength thread locker on the #10 bolts attaching the steps. With all said and done, I can’t even imagine how people would do this job while their mast is still stepped!
The above picture may lead you to believe that I did a lot in this project.
Not so really. I mostly sat back and observed.
The finished product!
What was Rebecca doing while I sat and watched Lyndsay install the steps? She was busy re-bedding all of the “snaps” and bolts around the bimini. Hopefully that will take care of any more water ingress.
Much more was accomplished and today promises to be another busy day. I think we both need to put on some sunscreen though if we’re going to be outside much. We both ended up with some pretty funky tan lines after yesterday’s sun!
I’ve done similar stuff in the air many times. It’s annoying.
I have a strong preference for 3/16″ pop rivets. I have read literature indicating they hold at least as well, are not prone to thread corrosion, and come out in a minute EVERY TIME with a 3/16″ drill. Only 2 tools are needed: a drill and a rivet tool.
Lots of companies spec rivets: http://www.rigrite.com/spars/Zspar/Z-GN_Brackets.html
Stainless – ~780 shear, ~1040 tensile
Threaded into a mast, it is difficult to do better.
Additionally, rivets don’t leave sharp ends inside the mast.
I plan on doing no more mast hole drilling in the immediate future, and definitely not while suspended. 🙂
And why aren’t you out sailing yet today?
Just got back. 15-18 knots true, with the big jib up for the first time this season. Up to 10 knots boat speed reaching. The biggest problem is that the Yamahas just don’t seem to like water temperatures below ~ 65F.
And dingy rides across open water with lots of spray… in April.
Tired, with a big grin.
You can do more than you think, in the air, planning and taking your time.
* I replaced all of standing rigging on a boat once, mast-up.
* I’ve added a spinnaker crane.
* Replaced light fixtures and wire several times. That is often easier, because gravity helps feed the wire.
Our day was not as much fun as yours, but we did get a lot done! More fun tomorrow though. 🙂
By the way, what is a spinnaker crane?
The little bracket that holds the block that the halyard runs over. It was for a non-masthead spinnaker boat and attached to the side of the mast with ~ 10 rivets. It also required a mast exit slot, so I had a saber saw up there too. But it went smoothly.
THAT does not sound like a lot of fun at all!
By the way, we cut down the nav table like you did. It looks great and I think it will be much more functional.
Pictures!
They are coming. 🙂
I like the head installation. Nice.
I wonder if a removable step – just a simple 3/4-inch by 7 1/2-inch by about 24-inch board with a cleat to rest each end on, like Stiletto 27 seats, would work well. The cleat is basically a 1″ x 1 1/2″ x 9″ routed-out to fit the end of the board. The board is not secured. The cleats are epoxied to the hulls. Very minimalist, though drilling holes in such a visible area is stressful. if you look at (http://stiletto.wildjibe.com/cgi-bin/pgs-db.cgi?loc=http://stiletto.wildjibe.com/portfolio/Port_2008/&database=/www-VH/stiletto.wildjibe.com/cgi-bin/portfolio/Port_2008-db.txt) 6th picture down, you will see the brackets. My old boat happens to be in pictures 2-4. The pictured brackets are plastic, but mine were oak. The plastic brackets may be available from Stiletto. (http://www.stilettocatamarans.com/). They would look cool.
That is a very good idea.
My idea was to use a similar board but to have it supported by two triangular bases fixed to the front of the step (the surface you see when looking under the head).
Your idea might be easier though and if the board could be removed that would be even better.
I think easy removability is important in this spot; the shower ain’t huge. I think I would make a box from a milk crate or some such, to get the height and size right first. If nothing else, I would be more relaxed when I made my move, and it would give me time to explore all of the options.
Something that hinges up against the starboard wall might be sweet. It might need a leg of some sort, since a bracket might block the door. Take your time puzzling it out.
We will. It will function fine as is. Whatever we decide on for a step/platform will just add to it.
Hi Mike and Rebecca,
I just stumbled on your blog and love it. My husband and I made the decision to set sail about 3 months ago with zero experience as well. We’ve booked dinghy sailing lessons, and are in the process of arranging live aboard sailing instruction this fall with Offshore Sailing and next spring with Sirius Sailing (hoping they do the atlantic crossing again). We’re dreading telling our families – they are definitely not going to understand me taking 3-4 or more years off practicing law, but I think that sometimes you just have to follow your gut and go for it like you guys are.
I’ll be reading your blog and taking courage from your adventure (and enjoying all the advice within the pages). Best of luck to you both on your journey. May it be everything you dreamed of and more!
Best Regards,
Lori
(Hopefully setting sail in 2012!)
Hi Lori
Thanks so much for the comment. Ever since starting this bog we have found more and more people who are planning to do the same thing. It’s very cool. Please stay in touch and let us know how your plans are coming along!
As for Offshore Sailing, we very much enjoyed and benefited from our Fast Track course that we did. I hope you have just as positive an experience as Rebecca and I did.
Mike
I have been a big fan of your site since I stumbled upon in during my search for catamarans. I too, have decided to learn to sail with the wife and kids and hopefully get our on catamaran and start a cruising lifestyle. I was most pleased to see your post on team-work. As a husband and father and Marine, I have tried very hard to keep my family close through various team-work related adventures and look forward to this new endeavor. My wife and I work out together on a daily basis and you guys are an inspiration to us and many other couples to enjoy each other and all the time together that you have. Thanks and God bless your travels.
Thanks very much for the positive comments! I just visited your blog and will do some more reading there this weekend. As for the teamwork subject, not everyone has the opportunity to spend the kind of time together that Rebecca and I do, and not everyone would want to. Our relationship is one thing about cruising that we don’t need to question though and it sounds like you guys will be “in the same boat.” (I love bad puns like that) 🙂