VENT TRUNK

Today, I pulled TARDIS out of the garage to step the mast. My neighbor, Larry, came across the lawn carrying a couple of beers. He rarely comes over empty handed. :-)

The third coat of paint has been spread, and I think that's all she will get. A non-skid will be applied to the deck also.

The vent trunk on a Paradox is unique. The halyard and furling line come through the deck into the vent trunk, and then into the cabin. At the bottom of the mast step, there is a drain hole. The electrical box is mounted to the left of the vent trunk. The batteries will be on the other side of the bulkhead the box is mounted on.

Wiring for the running lights will come down through the mast, exit the mast below the deck, and will plug into the harness mounted inside the vent trunk. The hole for the wires to go to the box has not been drilled yet. Wires have already been run from the box to the pump located in the aft storage space.

A list has been made of all the hardware that is needed. The sail will be purchased as a kit from Sailrite. Oh yeah, and a trailer.

TARDIS Has Paint!

I can't seem to paint anything without getting it in my hair! Today was no different, but I'm so excited that there is paint on s/v TARDIS. I was asked how many coats I was going to apply. My answer, "I don't know." Maybe three? I will know when I get to the last one.

I decided to use the Glidden Porch & Floor, off white. A navy blue stripe will be painted just below the toe rail.

I love the look of wood! So, of course, I will not paint everything. Many pieces will be painted with spar varnish; toe rail, hand rails, hatch board, cabin rails, mast, boom, spar, rudder stock and tiller.

I am also asked about my splash date... and again, my answer is, "I don't know". But one thing I do know, there will be a party at the splash!

Puddle Duck to Pool

As some of you know, I have two PDRacers.

Today, I thought I would take the tarp off them and make sure they are okay. Wow, my tarp has not been doing it's job... it is worn out! The Ducks were stacked one on top of the other. The blue Duck, the one on top, had about 4 inches of water standing in it. The poor think was pretty pitiful looking. Green and black stuff covering the whole thing.

It was built to keep water out, not in. The ply has started to delaminate in a couple of places. Okay, now what do I do with it? I had already wondered this because I didn't see myself ever sailing it again. Then I had a thought.... it's been really hot lately....and it does hold water very well. Hummmmmm, I got it! A pool! So today, it was decommissioned and took on the role of POOL!

I pulled it off the trailer, slid it to the backyard and began the clean up. When it was cleaned and leveled, I started the filling of my new pool. My neighbor's patio is just on the other side of my chain link fence, so I use the sail for privacy. Clever, huh?

Ahhhh, refreshing. I will enjoy it much more as a pool than a boat. I am planning a pool party this weekend, drop on by!