For those that are here, a status report.
Just ripped off shrink wrap which was put on to 'stall' this project during crucial period of professional changes and moving house. Discovered to great dismay that fresh Brightside had bubbled in certain places-- learning the lesson that when applying shrink wrap,
DO NOT heat any part of the material that touches the boat. Heat it where it's spanning over air-- this'll shrink it enough to keep it taut. Mine was quite well done, lasted 22 months with only a change of the zipper door and some extra tape added... but I won't do it again after repainting (3rd coat) this season.
Diana's restoration moves apace. Could have had it done this summer, actually; but no reason to commission boat when I can't afford to keep her at a dock (and can't give up apartment for another winter anyway). Working in marine trade again; so buying materials at cost is the way to go. Angry about leaking deadlights in cabin sides (being responsible for having a tarp over middle of cabin); learned lesson about not using prepping solvent for Sikaflex. Will redo this before winter using Life Seal (recommended by BoatLife for this application).
So far:
- Electrical system: done except for stereo, engine and gooseneck lights;
- Plumbing: hooking up hoses now. Cracked frame of Whale Gusher black-water pump; have to figure out how to mend this.
- Interior and exterior woodwork: everything's done, just has to be reinstalled;
- Handrails: this is special. My dad drew scalloped handrails (like on the C44s) on his original 'display' drawing of the H25; I discovered this after I had already made them. Unfortunately mine ended with the usual return to the deck; my dad drew them dead-ending into the forward face of the compound-curved coaming. Now I have to cut off the ones I made, already finished, to be like those in the drawing. Kind of afraid to do this-- a lot of mental and physical exertion needed in doing it alone-- but, of course, it's the only way forward for me and this project. Now that the 'hurricane' is passed I can turn to it, this month.
- Spar painting: owe it another coat or so and then done;
- Engine: delayed doing this for above reasons; seriously thinking about inboard installation before long (not for near term);
- Deck: needs paint and done;
- Rig: need for Brad Linthicum to cut and swage new lower shrouds; using old lowers as running backstays and inner forestay for cutter rig. Have delayed this due to debating whether to buy fittings and send them to rigger or to just have him do the whole job himself;
- Hardware: there is a whole list but nothing major. I've been buying up hardware for years.
The gods willing, this will all be done by November and then there's a winter's hibernation till commissioning time. It's not down to money at this point. It's down to the time. (The yard bill is another matter.)
Thanks to all for unending encouragement. I like surrounding myself with 'cheerleaders' (we artistic types are not strong self-starters); and the crowd in these boards amply fulfills that definition.
