back to the machine...

Part of our vision for C'est la Vie's bimini is removable sunbrella section at the stern.  This section will create more shade and weather protection while at anchor.  We started by using ploy-sheeting and painters tape to experiment and create a pattern for the extension...

We then taped the pattern to the floor and began to layout the project on the sunbrella...

The ability to create a large open space in the lodge proved helpful in this stage of the project.  Once the pattern was transferred to the fabric, I headed back to the machine...

We ordered 60" wide fabric in an effort to eliminate seams.  This made the project move along quickly since most of the work was creating hems.  The cut out and velcro flap for the main sheets took a bit more creativity and time.   The basic construction is now complete...

The next step is to take the fabric back to the boat to identify the correct placement of the fasteners and webbing straps used to attach the extension.

projects are winding down...

With the bimini now completed we are searching for a departure date and looking to wrap up any remaining projects. One of the outstanding projects is finishing and installing the lash boards seen at right in the image below.

The boards currently have two of six coats applied.  Capturing my full attention in the image above is another project - replacing the rope to chain splice on our primary anchor rode.  The old splice (there is an aftershave joke there somewhere) had significant rust in the chain link...

I recalled a past article in Good Old Boat that illustrated a few rope chain splices.  That lead me to John Danicic's article Rope to Chain Splices.   The previous chain to rope splice on C'est la Vie was the traditional backsplice the article convinced me to try the elongated splice...  Pictured below is C'est la Vie's newly respliced anchor rode.

While the rode was on the dock I also replaced the anchor shackle and marked the rode at 10 foot intervals.

-CASUAL READER WARNING - BOAT GEEK SECTION BELOW-

It seems remiss to post all this anchor information without stating clearly what C'est la Vie carries for ground tackle.  Her primary anchor, on starboard side in image below, is a 50 pound fluke.

The fluke, a rarely seen anchor, has consistently served us well in soft bottoms.  Attached to the primary anchor is 100' of 3/8 chain and 350' of  3/4" three strand line.  This is the set up we adopted from the previous owner.  I do not believe that we have ever gone beyond the 140' mark on the rode, but we do keep the line on board for the "what if" scenario and to have extra line in case we are forced to ride out a storm at anchor.  The secondary anchor, hanging to port, is a 35 pound Bruce.  The Bruce has a 25' chain and 175' of 1/2" three strand line.  The bow sprit is a custom design installed by the previous owner.  The sprit is an amazing addition to C'est la Vie.  It not only serves to keep the anchors away from the bow, but it also moves the forestay 24+ inches forward.  This greatly reduces weather helm and I believe creates a much more balanced sail plan for the M34.

Made the shade...

Anne and I reverted back to more traditional blue and pink roles for today's projects.
I put the finishing touches on the bimini by marking out the final shape...

Notice my fancy, high tech yogurt lid radius scribe...maybe I should market these?  I planned to use a jig saw to cut the material, but Anne had a better idea. She suggested using the cordless Dremel, that we purchased for her jewelery projects.  The Dremel with a cut off wheel worked amazingly well and did not require removing the top.

Anne wins the award for best tool suggestion.  Below is an image of the final product...SHADE!

More images of the final product and the construction of the bimini can be viewed via the links to the right of the page (if you received this post and a direct email then you will need to visit our web page to see the links.)

While I was marking, cutting, and sanding (some fine "blue" projects.) Anne removed all the cover's from C'est la Vie's cushions and hand washed them (a stunning example of a "pink" project.)  From her disgust of the brown tint of the wash water it was also an overdue project.

Above is an image of the vee-berth foam topper and some cushion covers on the drying line.  The brooding thunderstorm forced us evacuate the drying line moments later.

finally, fitting day for the bimini

I would like nothing more than to proclaim the bimini complete, but alas there is more work to be done.  Today we started by completing the frame...

The next step was to install the actual bimini top.  We searched and debated many different materials from sunbrella to marine plywood to a fiberglass layup.  Ultimately due to ease and expense we went with 1/8" thick glasteel panel.

We purchased a 4'x8' sheet of the material, meant to be a wall panel, from Home Depot.    At $32 dollars a sheet we can afford to experiment.  If the glasteel does not work out then we will move on to a more expensive and time consuming option.

How does one attach glasteel to the tubing frame?  Home Depot also provided the answer to this question...3/4" conduit clamps fit the 1"SS tubing, are non-corrosive, and again inexpensive.

We used #10 X 1/2" SS machine screws with fender washers to bring it all together.  Below is a image looking up from the companion way.

The next steps are to cut the panel to the appropriate shape... it is asymmetrical looking at the sides and too long along the stern.  I hope to be able to cut the material in place by removing only selected clamps rather that remove the entire panel.  There is also a bit of sag along the forward, gallows edge of the bimini, but I think we have a simple solution... stay tuned.

Multi-tasking

We made progress on many projects today...

We now have all the pieces and parts to complete the bimini project ourselves.  Anne and I spent a couple hours this afternoon fitting the frame for the bimini. This involved a great deal of head scratching and multiple cuts of the tubing.  We want the frame to cover as much area as  possible without interfering with the main sheet.  We still have some fine tuning and two additional bars to add, but here is an image of the frame...

The bimini is the project we argeed to complete prior to departing for our summer travels.  If all goes smoothly we will have the frame and hard cover completed by Tuesday.

 We also completed and installed the new "floor" for the starboard cockpit locker...

And last, but not least we started work on port & starboard lash boards.  These sections of oak will be attached to the stanchions and used to tie down fuel containers that we carry on deck when traveling.

The holes in each end will accept a u-bolt to attach the boards to the stanchions.  The slots along the length of the board will accept 1" webbing straps we use to lash down the 5 gallon containers.

Last night's thunderstorm... an inspiration

Around sunset last night a massive thunderstorm passed just south and west of Sunset Island...

The light show was fantastic and made for some great photo opportunities...

Viewing last night's images this morning inspired me to go back into my photo archives and create an album of sea & sky photos that I have captured since around 2004 when I began spending most of my time around the sea.  I have posted a link to the new album titled Sea & Sky in the links to the right.  Enjoy and please share any comments.

Note:  In the album images of C'est la Vie at the dock with lightening in the background were taken by Evan Gimple.  All other photo's are my own.