First we used a pencil to mark the holes for punching.
Finishing up the bimini with Dot Fasteners - 2015
End of October 2015 - House sitting at private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
Ocean Kayak Malibu Two 8" hatch installed at Nuevo Vallarta house sit - 2015
End of October 2015 - At private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
We found this video on Youtube and followed the instructions plus the instructions that came with the Ocean KayakMalibu Two hatch for the Malibu Two.
Inside cover for bimini window to keep sun out - 2015
End of October 2015 - House sitting at private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
The sewing projects continue! (That's the beauty of having a seamstress in the family and the wonderful Sailrite sewing machine!!)
Finished product - here's the process!
Varnishing the stateroom louvered doors, yes lots os louvers! - 2015
End of October 2015 - At private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
This is the last can of gloss varnish for the season we had to buy - gloss.
Debbie made us a tool pouch for canvas tools - 2015
End of October 2015 - At private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
Debbie was feeling creative on Saturday after being cooped up after working hard at getting the boat hurricane-ready (see post about Hurricane Patricia) now that the threat has passed. She made this handy "tool roll" for our snap/grommet tools.
Meet my new best friend Muriatex Alamo\Muriatic Acid acid 2015
We were looking for ways to get rust stains out of the gel coat and found this video.
We have some rust stains on the bow and stern and up in the anchor locker etc we would like to remove. So here is what we found out.
Off to Honda dealer for outboard spin on oil filter - 2015
End of October 2015 -At private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
We went to the Honda Puerto Vallarta dealer. Not the Honda car dealer but the motorcycle dealer. They also sell Honda generators there and 4-wheelers etc. They do not have Honda outboards on sale but do have and can get parts. We picked up a spin-on oil filter. We happen to be in the neighborhood.
We went to the Honda Puerto Vallarta dealer. Not the Honda car dealer but the motorcycle dealer. They also sell Honda generators there and 4-wheelers etc. They do not have Honda outboards on sale but do have and can get parts. We picked up a spin-on oil filter. We happen to be in the neighborhood.
www.comotohonda.mx
Re-furbished Magma Flopper-Stopper at Taler De Torno Gonzalez Machine shop - 2015
End of October 2015 - At private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico, house sitting
Taler De Torno Gonzalez tel 322 224 0784
More "eye candy" all around - here are some motor boat parts, rudders or stabilizers!
We went to the Machine shop - SS welding to pick up the last of this years' welding projects.There went Hurricane Patricia! - biggest on record!big surge at marina - 2015
End of October 2015 - At private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
Chamela (Perula Bay) when we were anchored there in 2014.
The Sierra Madre mountain system of Mexico is on the edge of Puerto Vallarta and saved us from all but a heck-of-a-lot of rain from Hurricane Patricia.Boaters at the marina (and some tourists) were evacuated off property but the mountains saved us - just as the "old timers" predicted.Here comes Hurricane Patricia! - biggest on record! - 2015
This is the largest hurricane ever recorded in Mexico's history! A cat 5.
Polishing the hull - starboard side done! 3 of 4 2015
End of October 2015 - At private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
A little touch up paint on the gel coat.
As it turned out we ended up cleaning a section of hull and then compounding it with White Shark compound.
Doing this by hand did not remove much gel coat. We then put on the White Shark Selant wax and then the Past wax. Lots of rubbing.
Still smiling. Remember it is in the 90's and very humid!
The hull does look nice and clean now and will not chalk up, at least not till the wax wears off we hope.
Turists :)
Stateroom cane door varnished - done! - 2015
Middle of October 2015 - At private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
This door came out just OK. It will get a going-over some time to come.
Flushing the antifreeze - antifreeze rre-filled and running good - 2015
Middle of October 2015 - At private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
We mixed up some 40\60 antifreeze to water.
Varnishing the trim again by the nav station and by the steps - 2015
Middle of October 2015 - At private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
We got a coat of varnish on the trim here and the trim on both sides of the companionway stairs.
Nubee Temperature Gun - purchased
Middle of October 2015 - At private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
Found this old post that never got published?
We had a temperature laser type gun but it has an oddball battery. And it is not easy to use.
So when Morris and Debbie on s\v impulsive said they were going to sell their extra Nubee Temperature Gun at the La Cruz swap meet this month we grabbed it.
Found this old post that never got published?
We had a temperature laser type gun but it has an oddball battery. And it is not easy to use.
So when Morris and Debbie on s\v impulsive said they were going to sell their extra Nubee Temperature Gun at the La Cruz swap meet this month we grabbed it.
This is simple to use and has a 9v battery. Easy to replace and find.
Note 2018:
We have had this gun now for a few years and it still works good. This was a good purchase.
Dinghy 20' cable cleaned, Schlage cable locks purchased, paddles drilled etc - 2015
Middle of October 2015 - At private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
We had this made up at Downwind Marine in San Diego.
Flushing the fresh water\antifreeze -Flushed , looking good - 2015
Middle of October 2015 - t private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
Yesterday we flushed out the coolant system.
White 30 amp power cord - cleaned and ready. - 2015
Middle of October 2015 - At private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
We cleaned up the 30 amp white 50' power cord and have it ready for use.
Nav station seat pad, Done!
Beginning of October 2015 - At private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
We fit the seat to the Nav Station to see for sure if it would work. Was it going to be too thick so you could not fit the legs under the desk for instance. All is great so Debbie went ahead and finished it off. This is all done with leftovers from other projects.
We fit the seat to the Nav Station to see for sure if it would work. Was it going to be too thick so you could not fit the legs under the desk for instance. All is great so Debbie went ahead and finished it off. This is all done with leftovers from other projects.
Flushing the fresh water\antifreeze - 50\50 to 40\60 - 2015
Middle of October 2015 -At private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
From the Beta Marine Engine Forum
"You can disconnect the large hose at the bottom of the heat exchanger tank between the tank and the engine fresh water pump or disconnect the small water heater hose from the bottom of the tank under the exhaust outlet."
More info from the Beta Marine Engine Forum.
"Due to a lower specific gravity, a 40% coolant /60% water, ratio transfers heat more efficiently than does a 50/50 coolant ratio. It still gives more than adequate freeze protection in tropical climates.
My first recommendation would not be distilled water. Use normal tap water that is not "hard" or filtered water. Distilled water lacks any mineral content and has a tendency to attract minerals from its surroundings."
From the Beta Marine Engine Forum
"You can disconnect the large hose at the bottom of the heat exchanger tank between the tank and the engine fresh water pump or disconnect the small water heater hose from the bottom of the tank under the exhaust outlet."
More info from the Beta Marine Engine Forum.
"Due to a lower specific gravity, a 40% coolant /60% water, ratio transfers heat more efficiently than does a 50/50 coolant ratio. It still gives more than adequate freeze protection in tropical climates.
My first recommendation would not be distilled water. Use normal tap water that is not "hard" or filtered water. Distilled water lacks any mineral content and has a tendency to attract minerals from its surroundings."
Sold El Jefe's dinghy a deal for a cruiser - 2015
Beginning of October 2015 - At private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
We just sold El Jefe's dinghy for him. We were asked by the homeowner we house sit for to sell an older 13' Avon dinghy. He gave us a price range and we got somewhere in the middle. Everyone is happy - El Jefe and the cruiser who purchased it. It was a bit of a pain for us but it comes with the house sitting turf and we got to meet some more nice cruisers.
We just sold El Jefe's dinghy for him. We were asked by the homeowner we house sit for to sell an older 13' Avon dinghy. He gave us a price range and we got somewhere in the middle. Everyone is happy - El Jefe and the cruiser who purchased it. It was a bit of a pain for us but it comes with the house sitting turf and we got to meet some more nice cruisers.
The aluminium flooring.
Holds air.
Even has dinghy wheels
Note:.
He eventually got rid of the aluminum flooring. That flooring was really heavy. He made the flooring from plywood. Regular ply wood as marine plywood is impossible to find here. He painted the plywood with epoxy.
New (5) DaNard inner tubes from DaNard - 2015
Beginning of October 2015 - At private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
In earlier posts we described our DaNard inner tube problem. Also that DaNard sent us five new tubes. Just incase another cruiser had the same problem. Well we decided to give two to Morris and Debbie on s\v impulsive. This would work with what DaNard was looking for. Morris and Debbie will be sailing to the sea to meet up with Vandy and Eric on s\v Scoots and then they will be coming back to PV and then making the Pacific Puddle Jump. So the South Pacific will have a extra set of DaNard dinghy wheel tubes for a cruiser in need. Plus Morris and Debbie on s\v impulsive also have DaNard dinghy wheels.
House sitting Skype with super fats WiFi - 2015
Beginning of October 2015 - At private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
We have super fast internet here. We get about 2 megs download speed. Debbie has been enjoying the Skyping with our daughter Lindsey, grandson David and her sister Melissa. Yes some things are really invaluable and talking to the loved ones is one of them. It is definitely not always like this while cruising but it is for today.
Sail track cleat purchased at swap meet, painted, works great
Beginning of October 2015 - At private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
We had purchased this cleat at a swap meet and have used it for moving and tying off the boom from shading our solar panels while at anchor. Works great. It was just shabby looking with peeling paint. It is, after all, old!
We had purchased this cleat at a swap meet and have used it for moving and tying off the boom from shading our solar panels while at anchor. Works great. It was just shabby looking with peeling paint. It is, after all, old!
I scrapped off the old paint as best I could and then sanded the cleat real nice.
Debbie then tapped it real good and it is ready for paint.
We had some Rust-O-Leum gloss paint from past projects Debbie used to paint it.
It will get marked up in use but it will look way better and cleaner than before.
This will get another coat.
Flushing the fresh water\antifreeze - cleaned petcock, drained! - 2015
Beginning of October 2015 - s\v Elegant'sea is at a private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
Always the hard spots to get to aren't they 😕
Varnishing the hanging locker louvered doors, sanding - 2015
Beginning of October 2015 -At private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
And the sanding just goes on. We did finish one piece and are about to finish another.
Debbie made a Nav station seat pad, yes! - 2015
Beginning of October 2015 - At private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
Original seat pad we purchased at store.
Boarding ladder, Edson Step with SHUR-LOC Ladder Catches 1 of 2 - 2015
October 2015 - At private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
The Edison Step works well but the lines going to our stanchions, even with chafe protection, messed up our cap rail. It will need some touch up.
Don't try this at home - vacuum hose melt
Beginning of October 2015 - At private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
Don't try this at home 😌
Don't try this at home 😌
While doing some plumbing with the heat gun I placed the heat gun
a bit too close to this shop vac hose, oops.
Beta diesel oil and filter change using Beta hand pump - 2015
Beginning of October 2015 -s\v Elegant'sea is at a private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
Bow is where the Racor filters are at.
The hose goes from the Beta hand pump to the container.
Dinghy seat pad done done by Debbie - 2015
Debbie has added snaps to the bottom of our Achilles 10'2" dinghy seat.
Expert help from dog Clyde on dot fasteners for bimini - 2015
We had to add a few dot fasteners on the back of the bimini for the new shade screen configuration we made. Also because we moved the davits when we raised them.
Beta engine port aft motor mount rust - cleaned, primed and paint - 2015
Beginning of October 2015 - s\v Elegant'sea is at a private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
Primer.
Varnish stateroom - two pieces done, no wait, lint oh my -2015
Beginning of October 2015 - At private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
They look good like it could be the last coat but in real life there is a lot of what looks like lint in the varnish. Dam. Want to get some of these off my plate.
Kato Marine Island Davit electric lift motor wiring 7 of 7 - 2015
Middle of August 2015 - At private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
Debbie painted out the lazarett.
Beta 38 hp engine port aft motor mount rust - cleanup - 2015
October 2015 - s\v Elegant'sea is at a private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
The are where the rust is below the area we cut out for the oil change pump. You can see part of the motor mount and rus here.
Time to clean the Racor filters or the one we use - Nice and clean - 2015
October 2015 - s\v Elegant'sea is at a private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
Very nice.
Debbie is making salon seat covers from HD tarps - 4 of 4 - 2015
September 2015 - At private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
This is the top, middle piece .
Debbie is making salon seat covers from HD tarps - 3 of 4 - 2015
End of September 2015 -At private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
This piece is one of the corner tops.
Polishing the hull - making progress 2 of 4 - 2015
Beginning of October 2015 - At private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
Making progress. We are looking for the female parts to the GarelickShur-Loc-Ladder-Catches above my head. We found an answer!
Time to clean the Racor filters or the one we use - 2015
October 2015 - s\v Elegant'sea is at a private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
How quickly I forget. I was trying to get the bowel off the Racor fuel filter using a screw driver wishing Racor had used bolts. After taking a picture of the fastener my folly was revealed! They did use bolts. This is an annual affair so I am allowed to forget 😊
Debbie is making salon seat covers from HD tarps - 2 of 4 - 2015
End of September 2015 -At private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
A cool trick learned - sewing the elastic in the casing while sewing the casing.
Flushing the fresh water\antifreeze - not so easy - 2015
October 2015 - At private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
We are now doing our Beta Marine engine maintenance and are having our first problem. How to get the old fresh water\antifreeze out of the motor. So now for new ideas.
Polishing the hull with Big White polish 1 of 4 - 2015
Beginning of October 2015 - At private slip in Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Mexico
A couple of years ago I tried to polish the hull. I got about 3 feet from the stern and about two feet down. I quickly ran out of time. Now I have some time and am making another attempt.
I started at the stern edge of the starboard side. I washed a section up to the yellow power chord.
I used bleach and Simple Green. I then bought some touch-up-paint from AutoZone and touched up some gelcoat dings. Not perfect but better than a black chip showing through a white gel coat. Could\should use gelcoat but hey, want to get done before we set sail south. I used a straight edge blade to remove some things and #400 wet sandpaper sparingly to remove others.Probably switch sandpaper to a softer # like a #1500.
Next I applied some Big White Sealant wax. Then waited for it to dry and buffed it out with a (borrowed) power buffer. It came out lousy.
Then I tried putting on the wax in a small area and immediately wiping it off. This works a lot better. It is way hot and humid so that may be a factor. Anyway, I did that over the the messed up area and it helped and did that over a new area and it worked nicely. Figure our boat is 35 years old and does not get a lot of waxing so it is going to look that way. It does look a lot nicer.
The buffer I did not like using and prefer to do this by hand.
Next I did the same method with the Big White Hi-Temp Past Wax
A couple of years ago I tried to polish the hull. I got about 3 feet from the stern and about two feet down. I quickly ran out of time. Now I have some time and am making another attempt.
I started at the stern edge of the starboard side. I washed a section up to the yellow power chord.
I used bleach and Simple Green. I then bought some touch-up-paint from AutoZone and touched up some gelcoat dings. Not perfect but better than a black chip showing through a white gel coat. Could\should use gelcoat but hey, want to get done before we set sail south. I used a straight edge blade to remove some things and #400 wet sandpaper sparingly to remove others.Probably switch sandpaper to a softer # like a #1500.
Next I applied some Big White Sealant wax. Then waited for it to dry and buffed it out with a (borrowed) power buffer. It came out lousy.
Then I tried putting on the wax in a small area and immediately wiping it off. This works a lot better. It is way hot and humid so that may be a factor. Anyway, I did that over the the messed up area and it helped and did that over a new area and it worked nicely. Figure our boat is 35 years old and does not get a lot of waxing so it is going to look that way. It does look a lot nicer.
The buffer I did not like using and prefer to do this by hand.
Next I did the same method with the Big White Hi-Temp Past Wax
I am pretty confident I will get the whole hull done before sailing south :)?
We like these trade mark engravings in the hull
as they add some pizazz to a plain white hull other than a boot stripe etc.
Of course, raising our water line helps because we have
less gelcoat to polish and it is easier to reach!
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