Ready for Sandy

Since we last wrote, the galley has been the primary focus.  Surprised?  The refrigerator was completed:  the countertop and lid openings were framed, gaskets were installed around the lids, and the refrigerant charge was tested and adjusted.  It is more than efficient -- the freezer measured 7°F and the refrigerator measured 22°F.  Since it is a spillover system, all it will take is a little adjusting of the damper and a little more insulation around the divider and she will be ready to chill the wine and beer!

Gaskets around refrigerator lids

Refrigeration installation completed

Mike has been working hard at getting the cupboards back in to the galley.  Many needed to be rebuilt, since the galley configuration was changed.  They've all been installed including the shelf for dishes that divides the salon bunk from the galley.  

Framing the refrigerator for the lids and dish shelf installed

Because new teak was used, the cupboards were stained to match the existing teak.  And, the dinette was sanded and stained and the cabin sole (floor) was only sanded, then both were coated with polyurethane (Bristol) and look as good as new!  We're waiting on some more wood to finish the teak slats behind the stove as well as the fiddles (rails) around the edge of the counter.

Cupboard finished with refrigeration and stove controls

Finished cabin sole

In addition, the radar and chart plotter were connected and appear to be working well.  And, Mike fiberglassed in the lazarette and installed a drain to properly prepare it for use as a propane locker.  It had been open and drained directly to the bilge, which is not safe for a propane spill/leak.  Propane "gas" would sink to the bottom and cause a hazardous condition in the boat.  This way any spills are contained in the lazarette and exit the boat through the drain, keeping it away from the engine and the cabin.

Since hurricane Sandy is going to be hitting us, we decided to have Abake hauled.  We wanted to clean the bottom before heading South, and our depth gauge was giving us some problems with erratic readings.  Since the insurance company pays to have it hauled (for named storms), the timing was good.  The depth transducer needed to be inspected and once hauled was an easy fix -- clean it!

Dirty depth transducer

 Jenny took a week to visit family and friends in the midwest and also to attend a funeral.  With only one "wing" (as a fellow travelling passenger put it), she wasn't much help to Mike.  Considering all the work he did that week, maybe she should have stayed a little longer.

We be Gammin'!

Yes, last weekend we missed a post.  But we have a good excuse ... we went out on Abake to SSCA's 2012 Gam!  The term gam came from a gathering of whales, and SSCA (Seven Seas Cruising Assn) adopted the term for weekend get-togethers, where there are speakers, vendors, round tables, parties, and lots of socializing with fellow cruisers.  We met some wonderful people, who we'll see again, and we enjoyed the speakers and the events.

Yes, we took Abake, so she moved out of the slip and around the corner (without sails) and we anchored her in the Rhode River, near Camp Letts.  We saw some beautiful sunrises, too.

About 65 boats anchored for the Gam

Eye Candy at sunrise

We be cookin'!

Mike had cleaned her up a little and had gotten the stove installed, and the fresh water pump working, so we were able to cook and get fresh water!

We still used a cooler for refrigerated items (we're waiting on insulation panels for the refrigerator lids), but all was good. 

What was THAT noise?

Zander even enjoyed himself and became very exploratory.  But, when the engine was started he was scared.  So he found himself a safe perch, high atop the dresser in the aft cabin.







But the rest of the time, he was relaxed and enjoyed the undivided attention he got from going from one of us for scratches, brushing, and loving, to the other, and back again.  We have no doubt he'll enjoy the cruising life.  He's already found his favorite nap place.

Nap time

Yes, we have projects left.  But we installed our new halyards (although one was too short and needs to be re-ordered) that weekend and tested the stove (but not the oven).  We had no sails on (which made it easy to find her at night!), but they are ready to go.  And, Mike hand-sewed the new slugs (30) onto the main on Wednesday, while Jenny was loopy, recovering from an operation on her thumb.  She had an old softball injury come back to haunt her.  The ligament (the ulnar collateral ligament) had stretched to the point that she was losing (pinching/grip) strength in that hand.  It will be a few weeks of recovery, followed by physical therapy.  Better now than later.

 Between fixing the Toyota's emission problems, working on Abake, volunteering at the Gam and the boat show, and Jenny's surgery, retirement has been quite busy.  We do plan on heading South this winter.  It just won't be as early as we had originally hoped.