Around the final turn...and heading for the barn

We have slipped into August, behind schedule of my original time estimate.  I’ve missed the 2011 McNish Classic in Oxnard, but hope to make the Wooden boat festival in Newport Beach in September...we will see. 

            The hull painting is the focus at the moment.  The haul out accomplished the termite treatment, the survey needed for insurance, and a new coat of bottom paint and zincs.  Now, back at the work slip, the hull prep was completed and the first coat of primer has been applied.  We had to replace both corners of the stern transom where fresh water had found its way into the wood and rotting.  Also, one plank about 2 feet long on the starboard side needed replaced.  Hopefully the new hull paint will be applied this week.

            At the same time I’ve ordered some of the specialty parts I’ve been putting off.  You know the saying that 20% of the restoration, cost 80% of the total out lay.  I finally ordered the ‘melon deck prism’ that I decided to install, from a company in London.  After an exhaustive search of the internet and several direct call to various manufacturers I decided on the one from the Davy and Company. It’s beautifully sculptured solid glass in the shape of an old fashion orange juicer. It is flat on top to collect the light and the juicer part disperses the light below deck.  I believe I said in a previous blog, that I decided to get rid of an out of place dorade box and vent on the cabin top, but doing this left a 6” hole.  I got the ideal of filling the hole with a deck prism, and went web surfing.  This is a beautiful piece of nautical nostalgia, with the brass retainer ring, but there may have been a better way to spend $250. 

            Then the new brass galley hand pump arrived from Defender. I mentioned before that I want to replace the counter tops with copper, and install a hammered copper sink.   This is not done yet…but at least I have the galley pump!! 

            Finally, I also had to order a new globe for the Harnisch marine lamp that I got from the Ship’s store.  I bought these replicas of old marine lamps  ‘on sale’ early on and put them on the boat. Unfortunately the beautiful globe, with the etched in silhouette of a square rigger, had gotten broken.  I thought there was no way it could ever be replaced.  Thanks god for the internet.  I researched Harnisch lamps and boy, did I get an education.  The company, started in 1841 in Denmark is still be run by the same family, now in Toronto.  I talked to the great, great, great grandson of the founder, also a trained tinsmith, Peter Harnisch.  “No problem” he said just send us $80usd…what could I do? I learned that the lamps were not replicas; the company has been making these authentic marine oil lamps since the late 1800s. I’m happy that another bit of nautical history will be incorporated into the finished project.