Seattle Boat Show This Weekend

We will be doing our annual walk-thru of the Seattle Boat show today. This year we do have some specific activities related to the Westsail project. Including talks with Newfound Metals on portlights and checking out the sailboats on display on Lake Union for interior design ideas.

UPDATE: report from the show.

Newfound Metals will be introducing stainless deck hatches, intended to replace the aluminum made Lewmar hatches found as OEM equipment on many production boats. Typical size: 24 x 24 inches. This is great news as I dont like those Lewmar hatches but their price is ok. However, if there will be hatches available that will match the portlights I would rather go for those.

We crawled around some boats, new and used, at the boats afloat show. Got some tips from all on good and bad ideas. We were looking at cabinet and finishing details including laminates/woods/etc. In summary, the generally nicer, most practical interiors were on the Island Packet boats. Worst, cheapest interiors were on the Jeanneaus. We didn't even go aboard the Catalinas or Beneteaus. Notable mentions was the Perry designed Northern 44 (formerly the Nordic 44) and the Oyster 52 (at a cool $1.5 million).

The show was a bit smaller than previous years. While there were many boat dealers, there were fewer vendors.

Doorskin, Hot Glue and a Sharpie

Oh if building a boat interior were only this easy!

Looking port side in the main salon. Mockup of the cabinet face which will be on the inside between the dinette and the hull.

Half Way?

This past weekend saw some duct fitting for the dust collection system integrated into the new cabinets. Though there is still lots to do, I think the worst of the cabinet project is over. Except for the cabinet doors, there should be no more cutting and assembling.

I haven't decided which cabinets will have shelves or drawers or both. This depends on what tools will be stored where, which is still under consideration.

Items are mysteriously finding their way into the cabinets. Mostly temporary storage.

I don't think I will make my end-of-January deadline due to lack of shelves and/or drawers, but I am pleased with the progress so far.

Priming and painting may start this week.

How Not To Do Boat Wiring

Lessons Learned from The Small Boat Here are some pictures from the latest project on our 28 footer ("the small boat"). On the last day of our three week cruise last summer the battery charge terminal on the high-output alternator burnt up. Cause: terminal nut worked its way loose causing the cable lug to burn up from the heat. We had no charge capability and our house bank was running low and we had no spare electrical parts to fix (dohb!). Since we were one day away home from we just decided to motor home one day earlier (of course, diesels don't need a battery once they are started). Well, the boat has sat in its slip in this condition ever since. Meaning we haven't taken the boat out since then, which is really sad. With both of us feeling the urge to take out the boat on the next "reasonable" weekend, my ABYC certified electrician wife got on the task last weekend. She took the alternator to the repair shop to be checked out (it was fine, just needed a new terminal), made some new charge cables, and installed a high current fuse (between alternator and battery) recommended in the last boat survey. Happy boat. As for the Westsail, we will not have any cluster@%#$ of wiring like that shown in the second picture to the right, behind the alternator (yes, we are partially responsible for that).

Shop Cabinet Construction Continues...

First cabinets are coming together. Trying to use up any existing pieces of plywood in the shop. These cabinets do not have to be fancy or exotic, just functional. Note the hybrid MDF/Plywood carcase in the picture!

Happy New Year

Not sure how well we did hitting the "todo list" posted last year, but I am sure we missed a few things. Anyways, I ain't looking back to find out. But that won't stop me from posting an optimistic list for next year! So, here goes (in a roughly planned order)...

• New cabinets for north wall in shop.
• Build out port and starboard settees in the forward salon
• Fabricate and install bow pulpit
• Wall off and seal forward anchor locker
• Finish/trim out the forward v-berth
• Fabricate/install dive tank and propane tank lockers
• Fabricate fiberglass parts for shower and wet locker sumps (among other similar items)
• Caprail installation
• Rubrail installation
• Grind deck for resurface preparation
• Build out/trim aft cabin (begin at least)
• Cockpit hatch into engine room
• Begin icebox construction

There, anything I missed?