Well, it fits. Rosie came up to see his beautiful creation and help me mount it. We mounted the bowsprit, and tied a line to the cranse iron to get the final angle of the chainplates just right. I was concerned when I first got the chainplates, and held them up to the boat that the angles were off and the curve of the hull would be an issue. But in fact they fit perfectly. Torquing them down with the bolts snugs everything up just right. I ordered 2″ bolts. The forward ones are too long, and hit each other on the inside.

It’ll be a tight fit up there and I’ll have to fenagle the washers and nuts in there when I get a shorter bolt.  Once in place, we both agreed that the plates could have been a few inches longer and the bolts spaced out further, but it looks beefy enough as is. I’m thrilled, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’m nearly down to cosmetics… well almost.

Rosie also helped me suss out my non-charging alternator woes. We determined it is a faulty Next Step regulator. I am sending it in for repairs. My raw water pump is still leaking after a new impeller and gasket. Looks like I’ll need to replace the rear seal and do a full rebuild. I might order a new pump, as the one  I have is the old style… but I still need to weigh the costs of rebuilding the old style vs. buying a new. Ideally I’d have two pumps, with one always being ready to swap out in case of an emergency.

Cool crisp air, clear blue skies, great sailing breezes… and boats begginning to get hauled for the season… it’s September in Danvers, MA. And I’m just about ready to launch! Better late then never I keep telling myself. I can’t justify the expense of stepping & unstepping the mast for just a few weeks of sailing, when the boat isn’t really even “ready” in the grands scheme of things.

She’ll Float
The gap thru which the old bobstay chainplate protruded from the stem has been filled with epoxy, a thick mixture of 406 & 404 in West System. On the inside, I will back that with a few layers of cloth for good measure. On the outisde, the gelcoat will be a learning experience.

Engine Oil, Fuel Filter & Starting Battery
Got the oil sucked out of the pan with some handy vacuum pump contraption that came with the boat. Seemed like a sweet idea until my friend Brian reminded me that I really should drain the oil pan to get out all the bits and pieces that collect at the bottom there. Next time. I pulled apart the Racor, and cleaned it out, but determined the filter was fine, looked clean to me. The  Group 31 battery that Stephen had purchased a few years back for the starting battery didn’t fit in the existing batt. box designed for a Group 27. I pulled/hacked apart the box with screwdriver and hammer to make it fit. Works fine. I’m not a huge fan of this single battery located in the nether regions of the engine room, but it works for now.

Bowsprit
Pulling the bowsprit off the boat, painting and varnishing it seemed like a simple and sensible endeavor. It’s been a royal pain. But, it has provided a small, isolated chalkboard for me to learn, relearn, and mess up the application of my various coatings. After probably 12 coats of varnish, I think I figured out the best techniques. The Sterling paint took me 4 coats of primer and 4 attempts at top coat to figure it out. It’s finiky stuff. Mixtures, temperatures, timing etc… it’s like having your very own chemistry lab. I “think” it’s finally ready for mounting!

Bronze Bling
I got my chainplates back from Ramsay Welding & Fabrication, and they look great… most of them! I mounted one whisker and both boomkin plates. I used Life Caulk for all. The bobstay plates aren’t the best fit. The angles are a little off to the curve of the hull. Rosie is coming up to check it out and discuss fitting. I might have to bail, and go back to the casting idea. The wallet says “ouch!” when I mention that.

Fully Covered Bottoms
Had the yard move the jackstands to paint the last remaining spots of bottom paint. I found a small spot of abrasion that needed some epoxy filler, and a few more barnacles to scrape off. But shes got a good base coat for now, and I’ll put on two more coats before launching next spring. I also have to remove the old name!

On a seperate note, Teresa and I got out for the 24th annual Gloucester Schooner Race this year, and it was fantastic. NW 15-20, clear skies, 1-2′ seas… couldn’t ask for better conditions. Amongst the schooners were two of my alma maters: The Westward, and The Roseway. I’m looking forward to my 10 days aboard the Lewis R. French in a few weeks… and some decent tonnage time always helps with the license renewal.

There were quite a number of smaller schooners racing, but the large schooners represented were: Bluenose II, Virginia, Westward, Lettie G. Howard, Roseway, Alabama, American Eagle, and Liberty Clipper. Virginia won in the end, but not without a good fight from American Eagle who only lost by 26 seconds. All the pics can be seen here.

At $85/week for dry storage at Danversport Yacht Club, I’ve racked up quite a bill. My hopeful “6 week project” has become a solid 16 week project. I have a large ziplock bag full of reciepts for all my Elizabeth related purchases…I’m scared to pull it out and tally it all up… but I also am very curious to see how the numbers play out in the end, including the trips to TX, the tractor trailer delivery, the parts, the paints, the tools etc etc etc… I estimate I’ll be into this boat about $20k by the time I cover her up for winter.

The plan is to launch in October, as soon as I get back from 10 days filling in as Mate aboard the Lewis R. French. So the bulwarks, the mast, the electronics and other sailing items on the list are taking a back seat to the absolute essentials. I’ve cleaned up some of the work mess below and have brought back some of the gear, like the cushions, sails, radar etc…

The Launch & Motor List:
Fill bow hole left from old bobstay chainplate
Re-install chainplates
Change oil
Replace tranny oil
Change fuel filters
Get alternator up and running
Install bowsprit
Install associated standing rigging
Re-install windlass
Check stuffing box
Check all seacocks
Check siphon loop crack
Replace raw water pump impeller
Modify starting battery box to fit 31