Back to the lockers...

After a couple days of discouraging discoveries, it is refreshing to make progress on one of our less troublesome projects.

I completed prepping the starboard salon lockers (above) and was able to apply a coat of primer on the area (below)

Hopefully tomorrow I can return and apply the top coat.

Thanks to everyone that has replied with suggestions on the mast repairs/replacement.  We are in the process of collecting information on our options...

• Waiting for Sparcraft-US to return with a quote for a new rig
•  Using the internet and message boards to seek for an appropriate used mast

Once we have a clear picture of the options for replacing the mast, then we plan to investigate local options for repairing the mast.   Based on input from multiple sources cutting the mast at the damaged area and inserting an interior sleeve is the best option for repair. 

We are still collecting ideas and seeking information on replacement options - SV C'est la Vie

Thanks for your comments and support.

Is the glass half full or half empty?

This morning I began to remove the chain plates to facilitate painting both the internal lockers and the decks.  At first I was amazed at the amount some of the nuts had loosened over the 4 years since I last removed and re-bedded the chain plates.  I was able to loosen a couple by hand despite the presence of a lock washer.  Guess I need to add this check to a list of annual projects.

Below is an image of the damage discovered when the portside, forward chain plate was removed.

The chip of metal in my hand simply fell away when I removed the bolts.

Four years ago, I refinished the aft chain plates.  On C'est la Vie the aft plates are larger and attach to both an upper shroud and a lower shroud.  The forward, smaller plates only attach to a lower shroud.  Impressed by the craftsmanship and the cost of the repairs Lindow Marine Services provided when repairing the bobstay.   We now plan to have 4 new chainplates made up in stainless steel.

We anticipated discovering some hidden repairs when we stepped the mast, but the surprises continue to surface.    I continue to dwell on the glass half full perspective - at least we are discovering all these required repairs while on the hard rather that via a rig failure at sea.

Discovering damage to the mast... what now?

Pulling the mast was always in the plan for this summer.  Discovering wear/chafe at the point the mast passes through the deck was not in the plan.

The damage is on both the port and starboard sides of the mast. In the worst areas the erosion is at least 1/16" to 1/8" deep.  The discovery of the damage pained me. We are now exploring 3 options:  repair, replace with used mast, replace with new mast.

If anyone out there is willing to share there insights into repair options, then we are eager to hear from you.  I can provide some additional detailed images if it would be helpful.

If anyone out there knows of a used / salvaged mast for a 34 Morgan, then please contact us.

WE can be reached via this blog or via email  SV - C'est la Vie 

I have already requested a quote on a replacement mast & boom from Sparcraft.  We pulled the mast to address issues with spreader attachment; convert to internal halyards; add the hardware for a removable inner stay; and repair the main outhaul.  If we opt for a new mast, then cost of these repairs modifications will be incorporated into a new rig, but we are still afraid of the anticipated price.  Hopefully Sparcraft will pleasantly surprize us.  They are based in Charlotte, NC.  According to their website, they own and operate their own delivery truck.  Proximity may save us some $$.

install one metal pole and remove another

Today we reached a milestone in our summer 2011 projects list.  Prior to today we have simply removed pieces & parts from C'est la Vie in our attempt to complete projects.  Well today I re-installed the repaired bobstay.  

Check one repair off the list! 

For better or worse moments after installing the bobstay we removed an even larger and more complex metal pole from the boat.  This is only the second time in 6 years of owning C'est la Vie that we have stepped the mast.

We plan to add a roller furling genoa and a removable inner stay for our storm and working jibs.  Doing this will require that we modify some of the hardware at the top of the mast.  Also we believe that painting the decks will be easier without having to work around the mast and stays.

Progress?

finished up refinishing the kayak hull

Moving the kayak inside for the application of topcoats has allowed me to consistently progress forward despite unfavorable conditions.  How does the kayak enter the house?

The image above was taken after the application of the 2nd topcoat.  The image below is the finished product.

Now it is time to go paddle.

inspired by progress on the lockers in the head

The initial TSP scrub and cleaning of the head lockers inspired me to expand the project on to some of the salon lockers.  So today I disassembled the cleaned the starboard lockers in the salon.

Once the rinse cycle on the hull was complete, I took all the hatchs, seat backs, and miscellaneous pieces stripped from the lockers home for sanding and painting.

I do not have enough workspace to tackle all the pieces at once so it will take a couple rounds of sanding, priming, and painting to finish up.

Being interior pieces, I've elected to save some money by going with primers and paints purchased at your standard big box hardware store.

meanwhile back on C'est la Vie

I was able to put in a couple hours of work at the boat this morning.  My efforts went into prepping the head and vee berth lockers for painting.  I rely heavily on on Don Casey's, This Old Boat for guidance on boat projects.  Don suggests painting lockers as a method of perfecting painting techniques prior to moving on to more visible areas of the boat.  The first step in his outlines is to scrub the fiberglass surfaces with a TSP solution.  TSP (Trisodium Phosphate) is effective at removing mildew and greasy residues from hard surfaces.  Here is a series of before ==> during ==> after images from the locker the houses C'est la Vie's holding tank.

Before - The holding tank rests on the bare wooden shelf and is held in position by the grey bands.  I am going to attempt to fit in a larger tank.  New tank or not - I plan to remove the wood shelf and create a more finished and substantial mount.

During - The TSP is packaged as a granular powder that must be mixed with water.   I scrubbed the hull with the TSP solution, right bucket; then used a sponge to wipe the area down with fresh water, left bucket.  I continued to rinse with clean water until the fresh water remained clear after my wipe down. This took several cycles.  I also used the shop vac to suck up water that pooled in any areas.  Some water worked its way to the bilge.  At the end of my cleaning session I used a water hose to rinse the bilge.

After - still have some sanding to do, but the TSP did a great job of removing mildew and dirt.

Tired of waiting on Mother Nature...

I've given up on waiting for the ideal morning to move forward on applying the topcoats to the Arctic Hawk and moved the project indoors.

 The conditions are ideal, but the process is not without it's complications.  First due to the length of the kayak it must enter the house through the window seen behind me in the image above.  Also, all human inhabitants must flee the house for 4+ hours after painting is completed.  This makes for some interesting scheduling.

It is gratifying to be making forward progress and be able to predict a completion date for later this week.
Below is an image of the hull after the application of the 1st coat of Brightsides.