DIY: MORE CANVAS TO BE SEWN

Well, I have some more canvas to be sewn this weekend.

When we started this spring.  I had three major projects to complete.  The main project was the tarp/cover for our dinghy.  That's the biggest project and the most complicated.  I managed to get that completed last weekend and the dinghy is back up on the roof of the boat.  Thank goodness that's done. 

Now, I have to make a simple run-off cover to protect the new back deck cushions that I made last year. 

And last and simplest of all I need to make a cover for our on-board Bar-B-Q that Dan installed last summer.   These projects will not be too complicated, but I'm anxious to get on with them. 

 

Then there are also a couple of interior upholstery projects on my list.  And it turns out that my fabric has been discontinued, (after all it's only been 10 years since I started my upholstering lol ) so I am going to have to improvise and made do with what I have on hand.  As usual, we will figure out something, but those problems can be put off until after launch if needs be.   (See, that's how it got to be 10 years)

 

Dan is also very busy with his list.  His list involves fibre glassing, oil changing, grease cups, packings and all kinds of other things that he keeps explaining to me and I don't really understand.  But, anyways he's very busy.  And this weekend he has the added chore of re-installing those new taps, that replace the ones that broke last weekend.   

 

 

THE SOONER ALL THE PROJECTS ARE FINISHED THE SOONER WE CAN LAUNCH.

 

 

 

OUR TO DO LISTS ARE GETTING LONGER

We have our to do list as a guide line, but as much as you make lists, things that are not on your list, always arise.   So we have added things to our to do lists. 

This week I had to add new taps to my list.  My son Ken re plumbed my en Suite bathroom on the boat, with new water lines and new taps.  Everything was finished beautifully then we noticed a small drip coming from under one of the taps, and as we were tightening it, the damned tap broke.

 They are a small set of RV taps, so this week I will be on the hunt for a new set.  Standard household ones will not work because of the limited space.  So, as usual two steps forward and one step back. 

I made a good start on my sewing though.  I got my dinghy cover completed, except for the bungee cord around the edge, which I didn't have with me.  That has also been added to my to do list.  Find 8 meters of good quality bungee cord. 

Dan also made great progress on his bow repairs as well.  It still wasn't very warm in the hangar, but hopefully the fibre glassing will be fully set up by the time we get back next Friday. 

And in case anyone is wondering, that crock pot Orange Chicken recipe turned out great.  If anyone saved it off of Facebook like I did, give it a try.  You'll like it. 

SO, A FEW THINGS CROSSED OFF THE TO DO LISTS AND A FEW MORE ADDED.   

 

 

WORK WEEKEND #2

Well, the tools and the cooler are packed again and we are off to our second work weekend at the hangar.  This weekend, I should be able to get some of my sewing done.  Hopefully we will also be able to cross a few more things off of our to do lists.  Our son Ken is coming with us as he is going to do a plumbing job I have on my list. 

I am taking my crock pot with me this weekend.  that will take care of one meal with very little work.  I'm going to try that great looking Orange Chicken recipe that was on Facebook this week.   

I will also take some pre-made burgers with me.  That should do the trick and keep us fed with out too much hassle.  

So I will be working on my canvas cover and Dan is still working on his bow repairs.  Once this weekend is finished we only have 3 more, ( the 10th, 17th and 24th) so the push is on. 

We will also try to book our launch date, while we are there this weekend. 

That's the plan.  But, as everyone knows, the best laid plans always go awry.  So, we will see what happens. 

WHAT DID WE ACCOMPLISH

I didn't get as much done as I had hoped, but I did get a lot of stuff sorted out on the boat and I'm ready for a big push next weekend.  I have a very long list of things that I have discovered I need to pick up for our work projects.  I have discovered I don't have enough Blue and Green plaid upholstery fabric.  I was sure I had lots, but it turns out, no matter which way I turn what I have, it's not wide enough for my new back rest.  The length is good but the width is not.  Oh, well, I have to go back to the suppliers anyway, I also found I am a little short of canvas as well. 

At least we got my Sewing Machine all set up and ready to go, for next weekend. 

Dan has completed the generator, it is now running perfectly.  So that can be put away and crossed off our to do list.  Thanks Sean, for all your assistance.  Dan also made some good headway on the bow repairs as well. 




I think I will pre-make some meals for next weekend.  Stopping to cook takes too much time away for chores.  Even cleaning up and going out to eat takes away from work time as well, so I'll give some thought to that for next weekend. 

I GUESS IT WAS A GOOD FIRST WEEKEND

 

 



THE HARBOUR GOES FROM ICE TO WATER

What a difference a couple of good warm days make. 

 At right is what our marina looked like on Friday when we went out to Gimli, to work on the boat for the weekend.  All iced in. 

Then on Sunday as we were heading home after a warm sunny weekend, this is what the harbour looked like.  The water flowing free. 

 

 

By next weekend all the snow around the edges will be gone.  And there will be some boaters that will be champing at the bit to get their boats launched.  There are some that would have been in the water by mid April, if the weather had co-operated.  There are only a few that can launch, here in this harbour though.  Most of us have boats that are too large to launch in here and must launch in Gimli harbour and cruise out on the lake the 12 miles to get here, and the lake is still full of ice.  So we will all be watching for that to disappear and putting our names on the launch roster. 

 

 

IT CAN'T COME TOO SOON FOR ME. 

 

 

GREAT IMPROVEMENTS AT HANGAR #2

For years we have had a lounge in hangar #2 with a fridge and Stove, table and chairs and TV and Sofas etc.  But, to reach anything with plumbing, you had to leave that room and go out into the hall, which ran parallel, where you would find the washroom, shower and galley sink etc.  So, I've been saying for years, "Why don't they take down that wall?"

Well, they finally did.  Now you can go from the kitchen work area, to the sink in just a few short steps.  Instead of leaving the room and going down the hall to get to these other facilities.  What a simple, but great improvement.  Now this Lounge is so much more functional. 

You can always make a quick sandwich and a drink on the boat for lunch, but at the end of the day, we now have this much improved galley to retire to.

It is great after a long day of working on projects.   I bring from the boat, into the galley/lounge
what I need to cook dinner.   We relax and have dinner and we spend the evening watching satellite TV.  We can have a shower, before we return to the boat to turn in for the night and start again the next day. 

WELL DONE DEAN!

FINALLY, A WORK WEEKEND AT THE HANGAR

We finally get to go out to the lake for a work weekend.  It may even turn out to be warm enough for fibre glassing.  So, Friday we will load the tools and groceries in the truck and head for Gimli, to tackle those to do lists.  We will go out on Friday Morning and stay right though Sunday.

 The first thing we will have to do is stop in at Gord and Ellie's and pick up my commercial sewing machine. I want to set that up right behind the boat. Nice and handy for my sewing chores.  Then I have to get our dinghy down off the top of the boat for measurements and fittings, as that is going to be my first and biggest project. 

Weather permitting, Dan will be able get his fibre glassing at least started, if not finished.  If that gets done it will be ready for sanding and painting next weekend.    Time permitting we may get more than that done.  As stated in previous blogs the to do list are long and we only have 4 or 5 weekends until we launch.  Hopefully in early June. 

 

 

 

 

AT LEAST THAT WILL BE A START, FINALLY