Monday, October 2, 2017

Close...so very close....

A very productive weekend. We are so very close to launch!

Shawn worked Friday evening on the boat alone.

He got the railings and the windshield up but not permanently fastened.






Saturday, we worked at fastening the flybridge and the railings. This actually involves several steps. Some of the flybridge we thru-bolted. The "thru-bolt" process requires two people: one below and one above (I always opt for above because I find it "easier". "Easier" meaning it fits my skill set better!)

So Shawn drills from below and we dry-fit the bolt. Then...I have to use an adhesive sealant in a caulk gun (I call it "5200" as we work because that is the first sealant we used but in this case is actually 4000 and is some type of quick dry adhesive/caulk/sealant) and fill the hole, then coat the threads, then shove it into the hole, all the while trying to stop the sealant from oozing out of the tip of the container (which is placed into a caulk gun)...I need to be an octopus...but it sure beats having to tighten the bolt from the underside! So we repeat this process for every screw.



It seems like such a "little" thing, but it is time-consuming. We had to stop mid-afternoon to go to Shawn's FORTY year high school reunion! Fun time!

Sunday morning, we headed over to the boatyard to finish the screws/bolts. We completed the flybridge and ALL the railings.

We attached the bimini (which was harder than I thought...it is awkward to maneuver).



Then Shawn tackled all the flybridge electrical reconnections while I scrubbed the drip railing and painted the bottom (again!) with a "Carolina coat".





Lastly, we reattached the helm chair so that my Captain Shawn has his seat!






Shawn started the engine and she started right up! (We ran a hose to use water to cool the engine as she ran). She is as ready to go as we are!
And I took a moment to sit on the flybridge deck and imagine that we are cruising...


So at the end of the weekend...our YellowBird looks great and she says she is ready to go!!! Just a few little odds and ends and we can launch!




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