Prep Work Begins

Today, we began preparations in earnest for the MAIN EVENT (recoring the flybridge). Shawn disconnected all the wires (yep, the ones we replaced in November) from the flybridge panel. AND the new steering line. I was responsible for pulling them all the way back to the flybridge wings. And untangling them and coiling them! This is my first rodeo doing all of this, so I am an inordinately proud of the smallest accomplishments! I also unbolted all the flybridge rails and the flybridge ladder.

Then we began to brace the floor of the flybridge with 2*4 so that we can walk on it while we recore.  A side effect of the bracing was the water that began to steadily drip from the floor through the ceiling as the bracing squeezed the accumulated water from the sodden core.

I began to remove the letters from the transom. They came off pretty easily due to the heat of the sun, so I decided that was something I could do after work one day. We stowed our stuff and left our girl safely ensconced in the boatyard.

to the railway...and beyond!!!

The day is finally upon us! We checked with the boatyard this morning and they have a spot for us! Even though today is drizzly and grey and the wind is blowing some, we determined we could take our YellowBird up the Bay a couple of miles to Cockrell's Creek to Jennings Boatyard.

We left about 3 in the afternoon and the water was a bit rough at times with low visibility, but Shawn ensured that we arrived safely at our destination! I even got to drive a bit....with autopilot!! :)

And now our weekends and any free time will find us at the boatyard working on our projects!  The dock looks very empty without our YellowBird there!

Spring Repairs Begin

Now that the warmer weather is here, it is time for us to begin our repairs in earnest! We have a mental deadline so that we can FINALLY have boating time together this summer...what we have been waiting for!

In March, we removed the lifelines and stancheons. We could see that the underneath the backing plates was green and funky from improper sealant, so we scrubbed and temporarily sealed the holes with silicone. We will devise a more permanent seal solution after we fiberglass the flybridge.

We also (well....Shawn) put in a second bilge pump just in case we need it!

And now to wait for an opening in the boatyard (railway)!