We made it down to the DIY yard at Indiantown Marina for a long weekend to start some work needed on SV-Free Spirit. We had a long list of projects to work on this weekend and while we didn’t complete all that was on “my list” we did get quit a bit completed and the progress makes us feel great. There were some highs and some lows. It was exciting to watch them move her from the storage lot to the DIY yard. They were so careful and it was a simple process.
We completed this weekend: 1.) A complete wash on the top side of the boat; 2.) Complete wash of the hull where we removed a lot of dirty, mold and gime. She was white again. 3.) We waxed/polished the top of the boat. Then we had a bit of a let down. There was so much 5200 on the thru hulls that we are not able to remove them. We were hoping to have all 20 of them removed so that when we moved her in May that we could just have them replaced and then she would be water tight and ready for a splash at her new marina. So now that will have to be delayed. 4.) A complete wash of the interior was completed but not sure why now since it’s dirty again. All trash was removed, flooring of what is there was swept. 5.) Cleaned engine room with bilge wash and gave her a good rinse down. Hoping to be able to paint the engine room tomorrow for our last day to work on the boat.
We found that cruisers are awesome people. We sat on in the aft of our sailboat and ate ice cream and drinking in afternoon cocktails with other DIY’ers who are were also working on their sailboat. Purchased a dingy that we found out was for sale.
So all in all, it was a good weekend. Now to move onto the next progress of the boat. Once she is moved, we intend to get the thru hulls replaced, have the engine shipped and dropped into the boat. We also need to replace the main mast foundation that we found has too much damage to save it so it will need to be torn out and repaired and replaced. Then we can step the mast. Have the fuel tanks inspected and cleaned if necessary and filled with fuel. Then we can inspect and clean out the water tanks and fill.
Then???? Who knows… one project at a time. So this will be the last update until she is moved in May. We hope to have the You Tube channel up an running in the next few months where we will begin the sharing of knowledge for all.
Until then, safe travels and fair winds to all!