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After our 3rd trip we realized that we were always bumming dinghy rides from our Uber great friends. We found a great deal on a 9.5 ft dinghy with a 9.9 Yamaha outboard. We’re satisfied with its performance.

Two of our granddaughters and grandma feeding swans right after waking up. Everybody was happy!

Proof that the Garmin works even when the tide is out.

When we took the trawler out for the first time we filled both fuel tanks. We knew the yanmar diesel was economical but weren’t sure how much as our travel partners were stopping regularly for fuel. After doing some wire tracing and I stalling a new switch we know how much fuel we have. It...

After the 2nd trip we installed the stainless steel gimbal stove. It was a challenge to find the right parts to ensure everything is safe. And yes, meals on the trawler do taste better!

The trawler had three Nav units and four transducers. I was able to update the software for one of the Nav units and buy a new transducer. Then I removed all the outdated or broken stuff. Now we have charts, depth and temperature. The trawler has a shallow draft but it’s still nerve racking not...

Between our 1st and 2nd trip we had a freak windstorm whip through the marina and rip apart our canvas. Our insurance company got right on it and sent a check but the canvas shop was so backed up we had to wait for our turn in the fall.

We bought a generator. It kind of works. I think it might be too small for the 16k BTU air conditioner. Or it might be old wiring or new boaters with poor power management. More for us to learn.

Here we are headed south on the Potomac River.

Back to work. Last summer after three shakedown cruises we put the boat back up on the hard and started to repair our findings.

When we launched we had a tough time starting the engine. We discovered that three years of using the top of the battery box as a step platform doesn’t help maintain battery contacts. They were all replaced with new marine grade terminal clamps. Now the engine starts every time.

With the repaired bow and windlass we were confident enough to launch the boat. Finally in its own slip.

We completed the repair of the bow deck. Then we reinstalled the repaired pulpit and installed the windlass with new chain and rope to match the gypsy.

The pie shaped arc is 4 feet in length and width. Since we're on the hard with no scaffolding the size of the cutout seemed reasonable for repair access and reach. By the time we had repair materials on the deck, shop vac, epoxy containers, tools, rags, etc. it is a limited workspace. I realize...

We want to mount a Windlass. However, when I removed the old hardware I could tell the deck was very soft. So I did the Dremel tool cut. After we peeled back the top fiberglass there was a mess of rotted mushy wood. It didn’t require much effort to remove. After sanding, cutting new pieces of...

Today two of my sons came over and we installed the vinyl name on the transom of the boat. We think it came out real nice.

Yesterday evening I did a job I was procrastinating on doing. I installed the toilet and connected the hoses.

This evening I installed the bead board on the port side where the galley will be. It’s also the backside of the head.

Thanks for the compliment. We are hustling to get it in the water this year to do under power inspections and to tweak things that I didn’t repair correctly or maybe the implemented design wasn’t the best. Overall I think we’re okay but I will have it inspected as I’m still learning every system...

That’s a good idea. I was starting to plan what lights I wanted in the engine compartment. When I need to inspect down below I don’t want to squint with a handheld flashlight or goofy headlamp.

Thank you!

I was able to trim the bead board for the utility closet then glue and clamp.

The walls then need to be clamped and shimmed until the epoxy or liquid nails sets up.

We finally got around to installing the bead board wall panels and new windows. The rough openings required quite a bit of preparation, sanding and shimming to get a relatively uniform edge and wall thickness.

The new overhead LED lights were a challenge. The LED lights are flush mount. So I had to make spacers to permit a space for the wires and connectors between the overhead and the lights.