Why is it boats have to evoke such strong emotions ... first we thought the bottom blisters were like a cancer eating away at our hull, then our painter thought they were merely cosmetic, and we heaved a sigh of relief (backed by several thousand dollars) and today when he starts sanding and prepping the bottom, we're back to square one. Cancer...
Luckily we're both healthy, we have a great life, it's just my Type A personality doesn't tolerate interruptions from the plan ... just like with weather. Tomorrow a guy recommended by our paint guy is coming to look at soda-blasting the bottom -- and then moisture testing -- he's saying the boat may need to sit out and dry for months.... SORRY, that's just not in the cruising plan for the winter.
So we'll see what happens tomorrow and then re-evaluate our options.... we could have it soda-blasted, then just put primer & bottom paint and relaunch expecting in 2-3 years to have to go through the blister drying process, but it could be when we're gone in the summer rather than during cruising season. We'll see when we get the final diagnosis.
Luckily we're both healthy, we have a great life, it's just my Type A personality doesn't tolerate interruptions from the plan ... just like with weather. Tomorrow a guy recommended by our paint guy is coming to look at soda-blasting the bottom -- and then moisture testing -- he's saying the boat may need to sit out and dry for months.... SORRY, that's just not in the cruising plan for the winter.
So we'll see what happens tomorrow and then re-evaluate our options.... we could have it soda-blasted, then just put primer & bottom paint and relaunch expecting in 2-3 years to have to go through the blister drying process, but it could be when we're gone in the summer rather than during cruising season. We'll see when we get the final diagnosis.
In other news, we were able to locate a new depth transducer for $140 that's supposed to arrive tomorrow and if it works, we'll save a thousand dollars over having to replace that entire system.... but we sent in the Icom SSB for repair and that could blow the budget.. It's the not knowing that's so frustrating. The budget for this old boat is not endless and I had hoped for new countertops and some other cosmetic fun... but no, I get bottom blisters and "wasted" but necessary money spent.
Grumble. In other good news, we found out that the wiggle in our Max-Prop which David was afraid would need to be sent back to PYI to be re-machined is within tolerence and we're fine. Whew!
Grumble. In other good news, we found out that the wiggle in our Max-Prop which David was afraid would need to be sent back to PYI to be re-machined is within tolerence and we're fine. Whew!
The depth sounder transducer came out cleanly and we have a new one arriving tomorrow for installation... but look at that 1 1/4" fiberglass -- it may be heavy, but it makes me feel safe!
And I found a Tohatsu outboard place that thinks they can fix our Tohatsu 8 hp 2 stroke outboard -- it won't steer, the steering is frozen ... again. But it's no longer possible to buy a 2 stroke 8 hp in the USA - and to match it's power we'd need a 15 hp 4 stroke but the 15 hp isn't within the weight limits of our 9 foot dinghy, let alone our budget and weight tolerences -- we rigged the boat so that both of us could do anything -- the 4 stroke 15 hp is more than twice as heavy as our little 8 hp 2 stroke. So we're hoping the outboard man is right and he can revive our little 2001 putt-putt motor.
Our trusty 2001 Tohatsu 8 hp 2 stroke... hopefully it can be revived to steer again!
So things are an emotional roller-coaster right now - we thought we'd be back in the water by the end of next week, now just two days from Friday, which doesn't sound likely... and that screws up the holiday plans... but we're cruisers and we're flexible and we'll figure it out! Aaaarrrgggg.... I keep repeating, we're healthy, we're happy, it will all work out.....That's it for today, we're hoping tomorrow will bring better news!
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