Security, Stashing, Scrubbing And The Packing Of a Cat

First off, a thankya to Sue, who likes the color, for the encouraging fact that she reads the blog. My bloglodites feel that comment is unnecessary, and they are correct. I am not searching for those emulations. My satisfaction is internal. I did it for me, no one else.  I write this each week for reasons long forgotten. It's not too a bad a habit. I costs little and gives me purpose.

At this time frame each year I take a break. I'm on a break. I've been on a break for a few months.  Ben needs some help back at home and I need to lighten the boat by bringing all the building tools back to Ohio. I have been going through the cabins looking at everything. It is a difficult process as I am unable to augur the future needs of boat projects.

The Preparation involves packing the car. I had to make up a Cat kit to transport Cat T Cat in comfort and safety. I have to disconnect the power and water. I have to clean the cabins. I had to put out bug traps. Friend, Joe, gracefully accepted my large deck items to stash at his place. I travel Sunday and do not wish to stay long. This is all part of the convoluted route to raise the sails.

As part of the hasp security endeavor, I needed some sort of way to latch the aft hatch. I once again imposed myself on friend Joe to utilize his shop equipment. I can work metal rudimentarily but lack the equipment. After years of production woodworking, Joe is enamored with metal. I have to do things his way in the shop and do not necessarily like it. I no longer have the desire to learn things that I will rarely, if ever do again, So we cut up some 3/8" aluminum destroying a blade or two in the process.

Joe decided that a brushed aluminum finish would look better............Sure, whatever.

See? Brushed! On the right.

Slotting the slot. Joe thinks I learned something. I learned that I'll never be able to afford or justify a milling machine.

Then we had to drill the holes. Then I had to bring them back to the boat and drill the holes in the hatch coamings to put screws in. Then I had to go back to the shop and thread the holes. The better part of a couple days shot. I should have been packing.

I finally got them installed. They should be good and strong.

The four other hatches were a bit easier.

​So that's it. We travel.......................................................................

​The Music: John Hartford "Boogie With Me"

Songs of love and courtship have been around since we managed to utter meaningful sounds.