DIY: FINISHING OFF MY DINGHY COVER

Last spring as a canvas sewing project, I upholstered new canvas covered cushions for the back deck of Thunderbird. 
 


Along with a rain cover and Bar-B-Q cover. 
 

 

That all went very well and because it was finished very quickly, I was able to make a good start on a cover for our Dinghy.  I got the basic shape planned, cut and sewn together. 

 

Then we ran out of time.  It was the end of May and time to launch.  So, the dinghy went up on top of the boat and the half finished cover has been held on with a few spring loaded clamps. 

 

One of the stumbling blocks I ran into was securing the cover to the dinghy so that it would not blow off.  I have installed a bungee cord around the cover, but it needs to be attached to the dinghy somehow.  While down south this winter I was able to order two of these ??? kits,  that should work. 

Now it's time to get back at it and get that canvas sewing project finished and possibly start on the canvas windshield cover that I also want to make.

 

I have already made a see through sun-screen cover for the windshield that works very well. 

It keeps the temperature down a lot in the pilot house, but you can still see out through it, so it does not give you the closed in feeling that full canvas will. 

 

But, in an extreme heat wave, I would love to have a solid canvas one, that would work better at keeping the boat cool. 

 

THE DIY PROJECTS ARE NEVER ENDING

THE BIG WINNIPEG BEACH WEEKEND

 

Yesterday was a Big day in Winnipeg Beach.  It started off with the arrival of our guests Brad and Bonnie and our Daughter Elizabeth, who thankfully arrived in time to help me put the finishing touches on our decorating of the boat for the contest.  I was quite pleased with the results.   

 

 

There were a number of other boats around us that decorated as well.  This is "Odyssey", all decked out in the colours that the beach chose for the celebration. 

 

 

"Solitude VI", with beach colours and antique replicas of the water tower, a train car, and a fire truck. 

 

 

Then we have "Endlessun". Who also went with a troplical theme.   

  

And Jeff's dog Finn stole the show in her grass skirt. 

 

Sharon decked "Loafhaven"out in a Birthday theme that was very festive. 

 

We found crew that must have come from a Pirate Ship, that I haven't seen yet.   I hope I can find it before they take down their decorations. 

 

There were a number of decorated boats that I still don't have pictures of, that I am hoping to get around to seeing today. 

It was a very relaxing afternoon of partying. 

 

Then last night we cruised on out of the harbour and found it was quite rough.  Even though it was a little too rough for us to go out to watch the fireworks Dan did turn the lights on. 

I love the look, It really did look quite pretty. 

 

Well the parade was cancelled and I don't know if they are going to reschedule it for today, or if other people still left their decorations up.  But Dan took all ours down, but we will save them for maybe another time. 

 

 

 

 

IT WAS FUN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TIME TO START DECORATING THE BOAT

I have decided on a "Hawaiian Luau Beachy" kinda theme.  If you can call that a theme.  I managed to pick up some inflatable items to stick on the boat here and there.  But it's a pretty big boat and we need a lot of stuff to make an impact.  Otherwise it will just look patchy and sparse. 

 

So we started with the lights, that will be used only if it is possible to go out for a second flotilla after the fireworks on Saturday night. 

We waited until the sun was going down then we tested them, to make sure they were all working. 

 

So now I have attached the inflatables, because they can withstand any adverse change in the weather that may occur. 
 

 

Then Saturday morning, just before the judging, I will attach anything that is paper based.  Like my streamers and flowers and Leis, that might get easily damaged. 





LET THE FESTIVITIES BEGIN. 




 

 

 

 

RULES WHILE STAYING ABOARD THUNDERBIRD

 

 

1. WAKE UP SMILING

 

2. FLIP FLOPS MANDATORY

 

3. RELAX

 

4. SWIM

 

5. PLAY

 

6. HANG UP YOUR TOWEL AND BATHING SUIT

 

7. WORK IS NOT ALLOWED

 

8. NAP OFTEN

 

9. SOAK UP THE SUN

 

10. ENJOY



(DRINKING IS SUGGESTED, BUT OPTIONAL)

 


 

 

 

 

 

THE TOWN OF WINNIPEG BEACH 100th ANNIVERSARY

 

 

This coming weekend is a big celebration locally.  The town where our marina is located was incorporated 100 years ago.  Click here to take a look at their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Winnipeg-Beach-Centennial-Celebrations/688251457866831  There is a wonderful selection of really old photos to scroll through. 

 

There are a number of activities going on this coming weekend that we will be taking part in.  The main one being a boat decorating contest and regatta. 

 

SHOULD BE LOTS OF FUN. 

BACK INTO THE RHYTHM OF LIVING ABOARD

When you live on a boat you soon get into the rhythms of nature.  There really isn't anything to do after supper, so you putter around, Go for a visit, or a walk, then end up settling in to do a little reading or watch a DVD and you are sound asleep by 9:00 or 10:00 pm.    

Of course being asleep by 9:00 or 10:00 pm means you are all slept out and up and awake by 5:00 or 6:00 am.  

 

You go to bed with the sun and get up with the sun.

 

 

 It is all very restful. 

 

 

 

 

AAAAH!  LIVING ON BOARD A BOAT!

 

 

 

 

 

ANOTHER AUGUST LONG WEEKEND

Our oldest Daughter Tracy Elizabeth usually comes out to stay on the boat for a couple of days for her birthday, but this year we didn't even have the boat in the water by her birthday, which is in July.  So, she came out for a couple of nights this long weekend. 

 

 

We did the usual August Long weekend cruise to Gimli.  Everybody does Gimli on the August long weekend because of Islendingadagurinn. (their Icelandic festival)  Elizabeth runs her own cleaning business, so she couldn't stop herself from cleaning my galley all the way to Gimli.  That's just the extra bonus, beyond the great company, of having my daughter visit.   

 

We did the regular touristy things like a walk on the dock, then weaving our way through the stalls, etc.  When the crowds got to be overwhelming we pulled out and headed south. 

 

 

We had a lovely relaxing cruise back to Winnipeg Beach area then decided to pull in outside the harbour for a swim. 

 

 

 Dan found a lovely spot and nosed the boat right into shore. 

 

 

We swam, walked the beach and played with the dogs.  And much to Dan's chagrin Elizabeth found lots of pebbles and driftwood she wanted to take home for her garden. 

 

 

We were eventually joined for a while by Gord and Ellie with their family, all the way from Gimli. 

 

 

It was a beautiful spot and a wonderful day.  The kind that memories are made of. 

 

 

Elizabeth even found some swim goggles for Sea-Enna.  Not that she needs them, but we couldn't resist this picture. 

 

 

 

GOOD TIMES