Picnic Cat Dilemma

I've been thinking about getting rid of my boat lately. I'm simply too busy with other things and the Com-pac 16 is just a bit more work than I want some days. I'm thinking about "downgrading" to a Picnic Cat.

Comments? Suggestions?

More Pirates And A Profile Update

Well, one of my faithful readers wanted a post, but since I'm still stalled on working on my boat (there were small craft advisories for Lake St. Clair this weekend so it was no loss really) I don't have much to say except I need to get my parts for the boat and wax the deck and the hull once again.

Anyhow, I did change my picture on my profile to the Jolly Felix.

And here is a picture of a pirate ship, since I cannot seem to get any of my own screen shots from my Pirates! game.

Pirates!

While I'm refitting my boat, I have to get a sailing fix somehow. I've been doing that by playing the computer game Pirates! I'll have some screen shots of my game for giggles later.

New Link

Just wanted to let you know that I do occasionally update the links on this blog. Check 'em out. There is a new one at the top of the list. Best Quality Supplies. He's a member of my family so give him a look and some business.

Refit

I cleaned up the cockpit, stripped off the wood trim (except for the insert in the bowsprit), cleaned it up, oiled it and then...tried to put it back on. I've done this a few times over the years and I always suspected that I would encounter some problems one day, well this was the day. The hatch slides on top have been messed with too many times and although they look great, they are not cinching down like I want them to, so it's time to buy new ones. I've often thought I'd like a new hatchboard as well, in addition, it's time to buy a new hawse vent. I might even get new hatchboard slides as well. All-in-all, this will run a little bit over $100.00 buying these parts from the people at the Hutchins Company in Clearwater Florida. I believe, however that it is necessary to keep the boat looking and working in top condition. Here is the price list.

Progess

More progress was made towards (re)fitting the Cat's Pajamas for this season. I pulled all of the teak wood off except for the bow pulpit insert to be cleaned, brightened and oiled. I hope to have this task accomlished before next weekend. Meanwhile I also cleaned the deck and cockpit and applied a heavy oxidation compound to the deck and cockpit. I'm not sure if it has helped much and I had to quit because the day was ending but it DOES look cleaner to be certain. I'm sure when I'm finished, it will look much better. I have to take into consideration that the Cat's Pajamas is twenty years old this year. So by this weekend, I hope to have a cleaned up boat externally and then I can work in the cabin and get the battery installed and the other necessary gear.

Shake Down Preparations

The Memorial Day weekend has arrived and I have hopes of making a shake-down cruise on Stony Creek Lake. If I am successful it will be the first time that I've sailed or even putted around on my boat since 2002. Nearly four years since my son was born. I'm hoping I can take him out on the boat this weekend, but there is a ton of work to be done. Four years of sitting with just the bare minimum being done to maintain the boat. I shudder to think. I still haven't installed the new winch I bought a few weeks ago. Not that it should be earth shattering to install, but it should be installed and soon, this weekened in fact. The boat should be cleaned up, in fact I want to rub it out and use my new orbital buffer to clean up the boat. The woodwork needs attention, the cabin needs attention, and I gotta hope that the motor is still in good order even though last season I spent a couple of hundred bucks having it worked on. I didn't winterize it properly, shame on me. It's a lot to do. I am gratified to see however, that my boat is proving to be a fair "investment". I think I could sell it for what I paid for it at least, which means in real terms that I'm losing LESS money than I thought I would. But I have no intention of selling that boat, not now, not for a long, long time.

Wish me luck and have a great Memorial Weekend.