TRAILER FOR MAYFLY

Boat trailers are hard to find in Key West. The trailers you do find, usually need just about everything replaced, or they are too big and expensive. On my trailer quest for my boat, I found either twice the size I needed or the remains of a boat trailer.

Chuck had a trailer that held two non-running jet skis. He donated the jet skis to a guy that thought he needed a project, and donated the trailer to my cause. But, it too needed work. The usual boat trailer parts were replaced: wheel bearings, lights, jack stand. The bunks will be custom cut to fit... later.

My Sweetie has been wonderful in this whole process!

Today was the move date. She is no longer at the Sailing Club. It became hard to work on her; the work bench was removed and the kayaks were moved into my build space. And the fact there wasn't cover to keep the rain out. We have had a LOT of rain lately.

My boat is behind all these boats, so the first think I did was start moving these out of the way. Several guys joined in the rearranging to clear a path for my trailer. The big question was did I have enough hands to get my boat moved onto the trailer. It is heavy, with all the fiberglass and epoxy I laid on her.

The trailer still doesn't have a winch stand, so Chuck tied her nose and stern down. She was not going to become a projectile going down the highway.

Heading out with the mast strapped to my vehicle.

My daughter and son-in-law live within spitting distance from me now. They let me bring my boat to their home to finish it. I have the BEST son-in-law!!!

Under cover and so close, the rest of the build should go fast. Plus I have a lot of extra time right now.

Chuck, my Sweetie, has been wonderful in the whole trailer work and the move. He is so busy at work right now, but he took time to help me. He is wonderful to me!!

BACK ON THE BUILD

I haven't done a lot of work on the boat lately, but that has changed.

The rudder and leeboard needed weight. Chuck has this little electric pot that worked very well. He even donated a few fishing weights.

The leeboard guards are being made this week. Hopefully the weather will hold out for the next week. It's been very windy with a shower here and there.

PIECES AND PARTS...

I am currently working on the leeboard, rudder, leeboard guards and mast partner.

The upper leeboard guard is ready for the slot to be cut to accommodate the leeboard. I want a good fit, so I need to finish the leeboard to get an exact measurement, because I will be glassing it. I want to pour the lead in the leeboard and rudder at the same time. It's been one of those, "before I can do this, I have to do that".

Well, I just this week cut out the rudder. Okay, let me correct that. I had started shaping a rudder. I stood back one day to admire it, when all the sudden, I realized I had beveled the wrong edge. I felt really stupid and went on to build something else. The time has come that I must re-make the rudder.



Next came the smelting lead for the weight. Chuck has made 5 lb fishing weights, and has this little handy dandy smelting pot. We pulled it down, dusted it off and plugged it in. It works! It's been several years since I've done this, but it I had no trouble, and was expecting the same experience this time. Boy was I wrong. I'm not sure what the difference is, but I had a frustrating afternoon.

After three attempts, I decided to go down the road to the beach and get me some sand. Then I put a layer of aluminum foil down, laid the rudder on top of this. The sand formed to the shape of the rudder, so there was no leaks. I was concerned that the pot was not big enough to hold the amount needed to fill the hole. There was lead to spare. I will have to do measuring and math to make sure the pot will hold enough lead for the leeboard.

Tomorrow I will tackle the leeboard.

YOU HAVE TO TAKE CHANCES....

FOR THE THINGS YOU CARE ABOUT.

For about a year now, Chuck has been after me to go into business for myself. The canvas and cushion business. My head knows that there is a lot of business out here, but I have a problem letting go of security. Security of knowing I have a paycheck next, and every wednesday direct deposited into my checking account. Do I like sitting behind a computer, calling people to pay their bill, relieving cashiers at the register, stocking shelves when I run out of things to do in the accounting department? NO.

Chuck travels a lot, and would like for me to go with him. At the present, I can't take off on a whim and fly to Costa Rica... yes, he is gone to Costa Rica and I was invited. But, this employee couldn't leave the country on a whim. Damn it!

Here is my dilemma; take a chance and go into business for myself and have the freedom to travel and go on sailing adventures ... or be stuck in an office and put in requests for vacations. I am only four years away from early retirement. I want to take two weeks off next June for the Texas 200,  go to Oklahoma next October... I want to enjoy life, have fun.

I say all this after consuming half a bottle of wine. My son says, "In Vino Veritas"... In wine there is truth. I just watched a movie, and one of the lines, " You have to take chances for the things you care about." Is this an omen? LOL I do so wish I was in Costa Rica right now!  Security, or Freedom? What would you choose?

Deck

The dry fit.

I haven't worked on my boat much lately. Seems like other things are getting a higher priority. I did get the deck installed.

What other things have been given a higher priority? Well, scuba diving, fishing, making cushions for Chuck's boat.... and just LIFE.

Cockpit and storage were painted before the deck installed.

I love plants, and in my younger years, I always had a garden. I canned tomatoes, pumpkin, green beans, blackeyed peas, potatoes, okra, grape juice, pickles, jellies and jams. I haven't tried to grow anything in a few years, but I have a pineapple that I put in a pot. You just twist off the top, peel most of the leaves off and stick it in water. Mine has several roots now, so I stuck it in a pot. I've heard that it takes several years before you get a pineapple... I have time. Chuck has a planter in the back yard, but the boards have warped and it's coming apart. The growing season around here is the fall and winter months. This just does not seem right to me. BUT, it is way to hot in the summer months to grow anything. The sun is so intense that it literally fries the plants. I am thinking I will rebuild the planter and try my hand at some vegetables this winter. I love yellow squash. I wish I liked coconut... they are EVERYWHERE!  I'll let you guys know how the garden plan progresses.

Milkweed.

Pineapple plant.

There are so many "projects" around here. We are always working on something, and never feel that we are caught up. We have a total of five boat projects going. We are trying to not take on anymore projects until we have all of these finished. That's hard for Chuck. A few weekends ago, Chuck and I went to an auction. There were three items in this auction: a skiff (hull only), 2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible, and a 1984 25' McGregor Sailboat. We bought the car... another project. The sailboat did not sale, and we were told that if we would haul it away... we could HAVE the boat. If I had not been there to say NO... there would be another project tied to the seawall out back.

                                                      Chuck: "But it's free"

                                                      Me: "Take it home, and then what?"

                                                      Chuck: "Yeah, you're right"

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ERIKA

This was the first hurricane threat since I've been in Key West. Saturday morning we pulled the 19' skiff out and put her on the trailer. The water lever was too high for the sandy spot around the corner, so I had to take the trailer and meet Chuck at a real concrete ramp. We put away the coolers and light weight stuff so we wouldn't be fishing it out of canal later. Around noon, we heard that Erika had broken up over the mountains of Cuba. That was a relief. We do still have some wind and rain to deal with though. The winds are 20 -22, that's not bad. Right now, most of the worse rain is to the east and west of us. I hope it stays over there.

Some people say, "I would never live there, what about hurricanes?" When I list all the pros and cons on living in Key West, the pros far out weigh the cons.

MY SUMMER VACATION

Remember when you had to write a "What I did on my summer vacation" report? Well, I haven't had to write one of those in many years, but I thought I would write one tonight.

Eons ago, Chuck water skied at Cypress Gardens. He skied the shows and was a competitive skier. The ski club he belonged to in Philadelphia, called him a few months ago and asked him to come be a part of the show they were planning this month. He agreed, and I was able to be there for the show.

Getting ready to take off from the dock.

It was a great day at the river, and I met some really nice people. I learned to water ski when I was very young, four or five years old, but I haven't been on skis for about forty years. My cousin, Keith, asks me every time I see him, "Do you think you could still ski?"  I guess we will find out when Chuck gets his ski boat running again.

Neither Chuck or I had been to the Grand Ole Opry, until this past week. On our way home, we went to Nashville. We toured the Ryman Auditorium. I didn't know it had such a great history. The Grand Ole Opry performed there until 1974. The Ryman was getting old, so the show was moved to a new location.

The night we were there, we heard Vince Gill, Phil Vassar, Bill Anderson, A Thousand Horses, and a few more artists. Each artist sang three songs, but I would have liked to hear more from Vince Gill. It was a wonderful evening, and another thing checked off the bucket list.

RIGHT SIDE UP

All of the snowbirds have gone back to their homes up north, and the Key West Community Sailing Club is like a ghost town. Since there were no strong abled bodies there, I had to recruit help from outside to turn the boat back right-side up. My boyfriend Chuck, and three of his friends came over to  do the deed.

The outside of the hull has been fiberglassed, and since I had plenty of fiberglass left, I fiberglassed the bottom of the cockpit and the storage compartments also.

Today I got most of the fillets done. I have read of many different ways to make pretty fillets that require very little sanding to make them smooth. I have tried several of them, but have not had the success that they claimed. Today, I couldn't find a jig that I had made (that really didn't work very well), and since I was doing the fillets in the storage compartment, I grabbed a piece of cardboard from the box of gloves that was on the bench. If they aren't pretty it doesn't matter because no one will ever see them after the deck is on. I was amazed at how they looked. They are almost perfect.

PAINT

 The bottom has primer.

And then it was blue. She will get about three coats of paint and the bottom will be finished.

The weather is beautiful, so I went to the beach with my daughter and two of the grandkids (Aiden was in school). They had fun in the sand. Chuck took a break from the office and joined me for a little time snorkeling. We saw pretty fish and one stingray. A good time was had by all. Rinse and repeat.

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"If you don't turn your life into a story, you just become a part of someone else's story."    ~ Terry Pratchett

FIBERGLASS

If one layer is good, then two is better! I put down two layers of 18 oz woven roving on the bottom.

The stiffener is made from two scarfed 1x4s. 

The chine logs and hull sides have one layer of 6 oz glass. I now have the stiffener glued down, but didn't get a picture of it. Use your imagination until the next post. :-)

One more layer of epoxy, and her bottom will be ready for paint. Can't wait to turn her over. But, it will take more guys to turn her upright, than it did to get her upside down. That fiberglass and epoxy is not light.

I did mention that I wanted a figurehead, and the popular vote was for a naked lady. Today, I was thumbing through a catalog at work. At first, I thought I could make one of these work... but then I looked at the price. Holy Crap! Over $100, I'm doubtful that any of these will make it as my figurehead. We'll see if a naked lady makes it on the bow.

Here is a mermaid, that's one option.

A dragon came in second place in the figurehead survey.

Or, how about this guy...

Or maybe a stoic face....I've been called that!

Enough of all this, I'm going to go have a nice steak dinner with my boyfriend. He's a CPA, tax season is over, and I want to celebrate! I hate tax season, for many reasons, but the first on my list is that I don't get to see Chuck much because he's always working!!! 

Next week, we are taking a vacation! And we both need it!

Thanksgiving in New Jersey

This year, I spent the Thanksgiving holiday with Chuck and his family in New Jersey. This was my first time that far north, and my first time with his family. Yes, I was more nervous about this adventure than I was crossing the Gulf a couple years ago. However, this adventure was a lot more calm and relaxing.

New Jersey's climate was a bit colder than Key West, so I did buy a coat for the trip. I didn't see snow, but I did feel below freezing temperatures.  

We made a couple trips to Atlantic City. The weather was nasty, so I didn't get to enjoy the boardwalk. I've been to Las Vegas a couple times... if you've seen one casino, you've seen them all. Although, Bally's Wild West had some pretty amazing murals in one room.

Things I learned on this trip:

1.  It is illegal to have a radar detector in Virginia.

2.  If you carry a gun in New Jersey, you go to jail.

3.  You can play 2 1/2 times as long at a $10 Black Jack table, as you can at a $25 Black Jack table.

4.  New Jersey is famous for their diners.

5.  The Philly Cheese Steak really is better in Jersey.

6.  Buy the 5-hour energy drink before you get on the road, not every convenience store carries it.

7.  Just "breath" and it will be okay! 

SAIL OKLAHOMA 2014: part 2

photo by Sean Mulligan

It was cold and wet, but I had a BLAST!! I got to see friends I haven't seen since my Texas departure, and made many new friends. Mike and Jackie Monies did it again!

My flight out of Key West was not smooth, but I did make it, and Jackie was patiently waiting for me when I arrived in Tulsa. Jackie is a sweetheart.

This weekend, the Monies' backyard was filled with tents, campers, and excited boatbuilders. The rain changed the schedule at times, but gave everyone the opportunity to visit with others instead of isolated in their boat on the water. There was still sailing time, and the weather was good on Sunday.

photo by Scott Widmier

On Saturday, SCOUT was put in the water. Sean graciously offered me the opportunity to sail her. I had already sailed her a million miles in my mind, but had never had my hand on the tiller… today was the day. Sean and I climbed in, pushed off, and Sean took us out. After we were past the stumps… yes there were stumps above and just below the surface. This made me a little nervous, I didn't want to be the one to knock a hole in Sean's boat and sink her with all the spectators on the beach with cameras. Once we were out a ways, Sean and I switched places and I took the tiller. There were many people watching, a couple of boats came out to take pictures, I almost felt like the celebrities with the paparazzi following them. All eyes on us for a moment.

I do have to add, my original plan for splashing her would go like this: I would quietly take her to a nearby lake. Put her in the water, take her out, clumsily learn to sail her and then take her home. The next week, I announce her splashing and invite friends. I don't do well with everyone watching. This weekend, there were many eyes on us.

Two sets of those eyes were The Laydens. Yes, Matt and Karen Layden. For those of you that don't know who this couple is, Matt designed the Paradox. I was nervous, and excited for Matt to see my build. I am a novice boat builder, and Matt is the MASTER! When Sean and I reached the shore, Sean went to Matt and asked if he wanted to take SCOUT out for a sail. Matt commented that nobody had ever offered that before. He took a quick look at the way SCOUT was rigged, turned her around, gave her a push and jumped in. WOW!. How many get to watch Matt Layden sail a boat they built!. I stood at the water's edge shivering, waiting for Matt and SCOUT'S return. I was not leaving. I suppose he enjoyed the sail, because he was out for a while. It didn't matter how long he was out, I wasn't leaving. When he returned, I got to watch years of experience sailing a Paradox in action. His comment to me was that she sailed like she was suppose to. You don't know how good that made me feel. My head did swell a little, and I was so proud of what I had built. Matt Layden had put the stamp of approval on my work.

I tried to insert a video of Matt sailing SCOUT, and I just couldn't get it done. SO, here is a link to that video:

http://youtu.be/WlLZY0vVhUI

The next morning, Sunday morning, Sean and I were suppose to give a presentation on the building and sailing of the Paradox. I was nervous about standing in front of these builders with many years of experience, professional designers, the designer of the Paradox… and my brother that had ridden his motorcycle 10 hours just to see me give this presentation. No, there was NO PRESSURE AT ALL. I fumbled through it, mostly showing pictures but it was received well. Sean's part was great, he is used to speaking in public and played awesome video and pictures of SCOUT. Matt even commented that he would like to have one of the photographs of SCOUT under sail. Again….WOW!.

All the lights work on CHEVY DUCK.

photo by Kelly Attebury

That afternoon, my brother, Kelly, and I went to the beach where all the action was. There was a Puddle Duck race, which is always fun to watch. Next, there was a Marshmallow Scoop race. Marshmallows (actually they were peeps) are flung out into the water and the small vessels maneuver around and scoop up these marshmallows with a net provided them. Whoever gets the most marshmallows, wins. I was standing on the beach with Kelly, when I hear my name called out. I turn and my friend,John Goodman, the proud owner of CHEVY DUCK, asks if I would be his scooper. YES, I join him and take the net. I have to tell you that this was a blast. John is very skilled with CHEVY DUCK, and was able to put me in perfect position to scoop those peeps. Not long after we got started, the handle broke off and I lost my net. We skillfully recover it, but when Chuck Pierce lost his net due to the handle breaking…John and I went into pirate mode and snatched Chuck's full net from the water. But, we politely returned the net… empty. When the count was done, the winner of the Marshmallow Scoop race was team "Lezlie and John Goodman in CHEVY DUCK" with 224 peeps!

It was an awesome weekend. I finally met Jackie Monies and Sean Mulligan, attend a Sail Oklahoma, met many wonderful people, and I got to spend time with my brother. I was able to see the boat that I spent so much time with, and sail her. There are so many memories, good and bad, attached to that boat named SCOUT. She knows many secrets told her during troubling times in my life. She was my BFF. There are blood, sweat and tears, literally, soaked deep into her wood. When I saw her for the first time since I left Texas, my heart jumped and tears came to my eyes. I was glad I was alone with her, we had our moment. Do I regret selling her? In a way I do, but I have started a new life, and I don't want to drag the bad memories attached to her, into this new life. She is where she is suppose to be, and if I want to sail her, Sean has extended the offer to visit any time.

I was asked if I was going to build another boat. Probably, I want to, and have two in mind. A place to build and then store, is the only problem I have. But, this weekend has awakened the building bug and you will have to stay tuned to see which one I build. But first, I will help my boyfriend finish building his bait boat. What is a bait boat, you ask? Check back next week and find out.

BULLY NETTING on the NEW SKIFF

Yes, you read that right.

BULLY NETTING: The art of catching lobster at night with a net from the boat.

After a delicious spaghetti dinner at sundown, Chuck and I loaded the new skiff…. oh yeah, I forgot to tell you about the new boat, but first, I'll tell you about my first experience at bully netting.

We gathered our flashlights, nets and tickle sticks, and hopped on the boat. Lobster come out and feed at night, so they are walking around looking for their dinner, instead of hiding in holes during the day.  There are two different lights mounted on the front of the boat, shining in the water. When the light hits their eyes, they glow red. Sort of like the freaky way a cat's eyes do.

The 12 volt light hanging off the bow has a shield above it so the light won't blind you. With both lights on, the bottom is clear and you can see very well in shallow water.

We ran out to the shallows close to the mangroves, just out from the house. Chuck took the net and climbed up on the bow, while I got behind the wheel. I have not had much experience behind the wheel of a power boat. I thought that was very brave of him to stand at the edge of the bow while I drove. We trolled around for about 20 minutes and didn't see a one. We got into some very skinny water, and Chuck thought it was best he took the wheel. If we hit something, he wanted it to be him driving… so did I. I took a net and positioned myself at the bow. I am not the most graceful person, and I couldn't help fear falling off if we suddenly ran aground. Within a few minutes, I saw my first lobster, but the water was too deep, and I was a little too cautious and let him get away before I could get the net on him. After three attempts, I gave up on him. It was getting late, so we headed back to the house. While coming through the channel that leads to the canal, I again took my net to the bow. I caught one, but he was a shorty. A shorty is a lobster too small to keep. He was thrown back and I quickly caught another. He was a shorty too. but man was that a blast.

The ballyhoo were just going crazy in the channel, and they are a good bait. We went to the house and got another net, went back out and caught 13 ballyhoo, stuck them in the freezer. By the time we got back to the house it was midnight. I had a blast!

Now about the new boat. Chuck is known for being a boat collector. . .

A couple months ago, a neighbor walked across the street and asked Chuck if he was interested in buying his boat. Chuck asked, "How much?" The number given had too many digits, so the answer was a quick, "No thank you." Chuck turns to walk away, and the neighbor asks, "How much would you give me?" Chuck came back with an amount just 1/5th of the asking price. Some haggling was done, and shortly thereafter… there was another boat parked in the driveway.

This boat needed some work, but will be a cool little boat for diving, lobstering, and working the stone crab traps. It is a 19' Sundancer with a Yamaha 4 stroke engine hanging off the back. It will be great on gas and low maintenance.

The motor needed work, new trim motor, new running lights, new battery and the gas tank cleaned. The upholstery was trash and was replaced. The bimini was not in bad shape, but the tie-down straps needed to be replaced, and a bimini boot will probably be added at some point.

She is in the water now, and she is a sweet ride. Last night the weather was perfect, a little moonlight, on the water with my Sweetie … what more could a girl ask for!

JEANNIE II

For over a year, I was able to push back those thoughts of losing s/v TARDIS, my baby. When I saw an email in my inbox from a Paradox or boat building forum, I usually just deleted, did not read. I was in denial, 'just don't think about it' was my attitude. One day the door to the room that held all those feelings of the two years I spent in the garage and driveway building my dream boat, flung wide open and I could not get it closed and locked again. I grieved. To replace TARDIS, I have adopted another boat... Chuck's boat; m/v Jeannie II.

Jeannie II is a 29' fishing boat, and she is Chuck's pride and joy. Chuck wanted a tower on her, but when she's parked on her trailer, she sits right under power lines. The solution; design a fold-down tower. So, he did.

When asked to describe Jeannie II, Chuck told me this:

She has a volvo penta D-6 350 diesel engine with a duroprop outdrive. The engine produces 350 hp and will top out in the 40 knot range, 50 if I am bleeding.

I am adding a foldable tower. The hull is a Mirage hull, manufactured in Gainesville, FL. She is a fish killing machine and has a very large bow flare. If you take a wave over this bow, you should not be out there.

I have added a 9,000 BTU AC unit which uses a 20,000 watt inverter with a battery bank rather than a generator so there are no carbon monoxide fumes to worry about.

Not being familiar with power boats, fishing, or water in the Keys, I asked the question, "What is the purpose of having a tower?" The answer, "You can see the fish better." My next question, "You mean, you can see the fish? Just how far down can you see in the water?" Chuck's reply, "About one hundred feet." I had no idea. I was used to the waters of Galveston Bay, where you might be able to see 12 inches.

View from starboard, the tower folded forward.

View from port side, with tower in place.

It sounds like a big tractor!

Jeannie II needed a few modifications and repairs before she hits the water again. She has a cabin that sleeps six, but was in need of a few changes for a comfortable weekend on the water. First, an A/C unit was installed. The small sink was removed, and the A/C unit installed in it's place. This will make those hot weekends very nice.

The cabin door did not have a good seal, therefore, it leaked. Chuck installed a new door with a window. This door is wider and can be locked.

She has two 150 gallon fresh water tanks. Plenty of water for a weekend, or a week even. The shower below was removed, but there is a hose on deck for a quick rinse.

Jeannie II now is adorned with 34 rod holders. I'm sure many of you just gasped and thought, "34"!!! Before I started fishing with Chuck, I would have done the same. But, you use different setups for different fish. I'm sure at times, they will all be filled. As Chuck tells people all the time, "I brought home the tackle shop one piece at a time." And I believe he did.

After a couple years of living on her trailer in the front yard, on July 24, 2014, Jeannie II felt the cool salt water against her hull once again as she slid free of her trailer. It was long over-due, and Chuck is a very happy man. There are still a few more things that need to be done: re-cover the chair cushions and make cushions for the berths down below. This is my job.



Tied to the dock in the canal, she eagerly awaited a long over-due romp out the channel and in the Atlantic. And she got that chance for Lobster Mini-Season, which was July 30-31. I took those days off from work, and we went hunting lobster.

Last Christmas, my brother gave me a GoPro and I made good use of it during our snorkeling & diving. Here is a video of one of the stops we made. I LOVE LIVING IN KEY WEST!!!!

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If the only short cut to your house, involves a boat… 

you're in Conch Country.

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SWORDFISH BILLS

Who wouldn't want a swordfish bill hanging on their wall! It would be a good conversation piece for your office.

One day, I was expressing an interest in making extra money. Living in Key West is not cheap. It was suggested that I paint on swordfish bills and sell them. I had never heard of doing such a thing, but when I found out what they sell for, I said, "I'm in!"

Preparing the bills for painting... well, I'll just say it's a stinky job and a long process. Chuck and I are both painting, and we have had positive feedback with our finished product. The hard part, is coming up with a design that prospective customers would fall in love with and be compelled to buy. My question to all of you guys; if you were vacationing in Key West, what would catch your eye? Would you want something that reminds you of your time in Key West? And what would that be: coconut, palm trees, fish, beach, boats, sunset on the water...tell me.

The surface to paint on a bill, is limited in size. Most are only 3 inches wide and they average 36 inches in length. I also want to try and make swords from bills. I've seen pictures of this done, and I think it is really cool. My only obstacle is the grip. I would prefer to buy a grip, but am having difficulty finding such a thing. I may have to build one from wood. It can be done, but I would like to have it made from metal. If anyone has any ideas, I am open to suggestions.

Years ago, I played around with oils, but never acrylics. Acrylics are a better medium for the bills, so I am learning the ways of the acrylic paints. They do not blend like oils, and I get frustrated because it doesn't come out like the picture I have in my head. Maybe it's my talent lacking, not the fault of the paint... nah, it's the paint.

Click on the image to enlarge the picture.