Tuesday, 2 July 2013

DIY: INSTALLING HARDWOOD FLOORS IN A BOAT

In a hundred years I never would have ever thought of putting hardwood flooring in our boat. 

But, and that's a big BUT.  We needed a replacement for the old vinyl in our galley and when we were talking one day, about new flooring, my daughter Wendy suggested hardwood flooring.  She had a large bundle of real (not laminate), pre-finished hardwood flooring that was left over from the building of their new home.  I immediately said "I don't know."

I was very reluctant at first.  I thought, with all the hatches in the boat, that have to be able to be opened, the hatches would all show badly.  But my son Ken said "No, No Mom, we can line up the seams in the hardwood with the hatch openings and it will look fine.  "Trust me."


So, after much discussion, back and forth and assurances and planning sessions, I gave in and agreed to it.  And lets face it the price was right.  You can't even get cheap vinyl for nothing, let alone top quality hardwood. 











So, in the spring of 2010 this project went forward. 

Our son Ken did all the planning and layout and Dan did all the cutting.  And they both worked on installation.

It was a long hard two weekends of work, for them but it turned out beautifully. 







It's hard to believe when looking at it, that there are 4 different hatches that open in these  Galley and Salon floors. 










A few drinks after a long hard day of work at the hangar.  And,
I didn't contribute anything except cooking meals and doing dishes.








MY SON KEN IS SO TALENTED WITH ANY KIND OF WOOD WORK





Monday, 1 July 2013

OUR ANNUAL CANADA DAY FLOTILLA (CRUISE)

Well, we had pretty good participation in our Canada Day Flotilla.  It could have been better, but we will work on that.  We need more boats for next year, so, everyone work on your dock mates to get them excited and involved.  We can't have a great club if we don't get involved.  It is what WE make it. 
 
Evelyn and Paul Mearon and their Daughter Karen joined us on our boat for our Canada Day cruise this year.   
 
 
 
As we exited the harbour a number of boats were already out there, so we bobbed around snapping pictures of each other until the appointed time.  
 
 
Boyd and Gayle Halliwell of Solitude VI
 
 
Jeff and Les Arnason of Enlesun
 
 
Bob and Susan Inkster of Sommerset
 
 
 Art and Gaye Wilkes of Misprint    
Derek Debets and Guest on Double D  
 
 

Then we fell into line and headed for the water tower. 
 

 
 
 
 
From there we made a slow pass along the beach.  Flags flying and horns blaring.
 
 
Once back at the harbour enterance we dispersed to our personal cruising plans.
 
Our personal plans included a cruise to Gimli harbour with our guests.  But, that's another Blog, for another day. 
 
I am including all the pictures we took, but I'm hoping someone will supply me with a picture that includes my boat.  (Just saying)
 
 
HAPPY CANADA DAY EVERYONE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

MORE DECORATING AND CELEBRATING


More boats are getting their Canada on. 
 
 
 
 
 
And the celebrating continued with fireworks on Sunday night.   

I apologize in advance for the poor picture quality as I have no expertise in taking these kind of photos.  I can assure you that the fireworks display was much better than my photos would indicate. 



A special "Thank You" goes out to Scott and Jan of "Whiskey Jack",  for not only supplying all those wonderful fireworks, but for sacrificing themselves to the hoards of mosquitoes that came out for the show.       



And the Celebrating continues today with our Canada Day Boat Parade.  We hope to see a lot of boats out, and taking part. 



HAPPY CANADA DAY!!




 

Sunday, 30 June 2013

A SUCCESSFUL WEINER ROAST

 
There is nothing like a Weeny Roast to gather everyone together.
 
 
 
To catch up with old friends
 

And make new ones


 
There are a lot of new faces in the Marina this year, I hope everyone will make them welcome.


 
They will be the old friends we are catching up with next year.
 
 
 
SO THE CELEBRATIONS CONTINUE
 
 
 


Saturday, 29 June 2013

DECORATING DAY AND BOAT RE-NAMING CEREMONY

Well, the boat decorating has begun, and off to a good start, now lets see some more. 

This morning we had a great turn out for the boat re-naming ceremony.
 
 
 
The Captain and Mate ceremoniously discarded the previous name, into the Seas. 
 
 
 
 
And everyone in attendance toasted the new name from shore. 
 
"Here's to 3 D at Sea"   
 
Even the Marina puppy dogs were well represented. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SO, THE LONG WEEKEND IS OFF TO A GREAT START.   
 
 
 
 
 
 

Friday, 28 June 2013

BOAT CHORES

There are two Boat Chores that every boater absolutely hates to face.  But these chores inevitably have to be faced. 




Filling up -  And the saying goes "It's a Wealthy/Happy boater that can fill his Fuel Tank and his Bar on the same weekend."  




And Emptying out - And just like an RV these big boats have holding tanks, that have to be emptied as well.  Only with our RVs it is all accomplished with gravity.  With the boats there are pumps involved.  Enough said. 
 



THANK GOODNESS THAT CHORES DONE 
 
 
  

Thursday, 27 June 2013

IS EVERYONE READY FOR CANADA DAY?

IT'S THE LONG WEEKEND

It's Canada Day on Monday!
 
Is everyone ready?


Has everyone collected up as many flags as they can fly?  Well, lets get busy decorating and partying!  Fly your flags and celebrate our wonderful country. 

 
 
A Weeny Roast on the Island Saturday night
1$ for a Hot Dog and Marshmallows

 
 
Fireworks on Sunday night in Gimli Harbour.

 
Be sure to join us, in the Floatilla that we are planning for Monday noon.  It's a good excuse to take the boats out. 





HAPPY CANADA DAY.