31 May 22:
If you're heading out for a solo cruise, best to file a Float Plan. BoatUS has a good template.
Be smart out there!
Tuesday, May 31, 2022
Rolling Pegboard
30 May 22:
Skipper's pegboard needed some wheels so we could roll it clear of the electrical panel, when the panel face needs to come off for maintenance and upgrades. We pulled some wheels off of a furniture dolly and repurposed them.
All is right with Skipper's tools now, some of them dating back to the mid 1950s.
Birdhouse Rescue
22 May 22:
One of our birdhouses fell over and the bottom board cracked. We brought the house into the shed and replaced the bottom with some scrap cypress.
There was a nest being built but no eggs yet, and a few days later Skipper reported that the residents had returned.
Saturday, May 28, 2022
New Line for EXCUSE ME
28 May 22:
EXCUSE ME got her new line today, some 3/8th inch New England Rope Vintage 3 strand. It will be used for the bow line, halyard, sheet and bridle.
Sunday, May 22, 2022
Alcort Parts Wall
22 May 22:
We got a few parts up on the Alcort parts wall. This corner has the hard to find rudder pins.
A few more parts to go...
HEUER GARAGE Ramp
22 May 22:
We had to leave a clear space while the driveway was being poured, and today we dropped in the last section of ramp that leads into the HEUER GARAGE. The driveway was poured with a small slope to shed rainwater, and our hopes were that the small section would twist to follow the slope. Our hope was answered!
It's the little things in life...
Sunfish Shack Happenings
22 May 22:
The side and back walls came off of the Sunfish Shack today, we put them up to keep the boats out of sight from the street. Now that we have a fence, the walls seemed to be an impediment to the breeze and the view of our forest.
We were'nt sure if we'd like the walls long term, turns out we didn't. Leaves would blow in but not out, it was hard to get to the boats and to keep wasps and spiders out.
We are much happier with the view now, and the boats are too.
Saturday, May 21, 2022
1965 Alcort Catfish
21 May 22:
Alcort introduced the Catfish in 1965, with its revolutionary rudder system, all designed by George Patterson.
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Wilcox Crittenden Helmsman Seat and Nav Lights
12 May 22:
Found a few more Wilcox Crittenden items for our collection. The folding Helmsman Seat can also be used in the galley, per WC's advertisement, but Skipper seemed cool on that idea. We'll find a spot for it somewhere, maybe it becomes a portable Moaning Chair in the shop.
The Hurricane Tested nav lights were oil burners, but the seller sent little battery powered LEDs with them.
More Concrete and an Alcort Parts Board
18 May 22:
Second half of the trailer turning basin poured, noe I just have to keep Skipper off of it til it cures.
The Alcort Alcove got a piece of pegboard today, we'll hang the plethora of vintage Alcort parts on the board.
Monday, May 16, 2022
Mid Atlantic Station Boat Trailer Turning Basin
16 May 22:
Work began on the driveway expansion, aka boat trailer turning basin. This will be the flat, solid surface where trailers are connected and disconnected for mess about adventures. Also the wash rack. But first I should note that Curtis and his crew should not leave the keys in their equipment during lunch breaks while the little Pirate Skipper is around.
The gravel driveway was reshaped into a flat base and concrete forms were laid. A small slope will help shed rainwater from the house's foundation.
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Small Model Railroad Restoration
11 May 22:
We always have a "moaning chair" project, the thing(s) we work on while we contemplate miscues or next steps on the primary project. Today we reshuffled the model railroad shelves and temporary cabinets that had been inside the house. Once the shelves moved we decided to use the unemployed cabinets to support our 2007 Great Eastern Trunk model railroad layout....wait, this sounds more like yak shaving or TETRIS...
This layout has made 2 moves with us, from Texas to Florida to Virginia. It looks beat up because scenery and buildings were removed for transport, but the guts and track plan are solid. She'll slowly come back to life.
The layout plans date to 1959, so we are honored to be caretakers of their legacy.
Skipper's Garden and Tool Center got straightened a little as well.
Wooden Alcort Sunfish Plans Coming Soon
11 May 22:
As we begin to resurface after our recent move, interest is peaking in the wooden Alcort Sunfish plans. I am starting to make a pile of reference material that will be used to develop the plans. We will use drawings similar to those found on vintage Sunfish and Sailfish plans.
Note: These measurements are not for a Sunfish, but the frame design is similar. Start sourcing you marine grade 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch plywood now, and some 3/4 inch by 6 inch hardwood (oak, mahogany or cypress).
All the info needed for the wooden Alcort Sunfish is right here, it just needs to be transferred to paper in a legible and understandable format.
These are from the 2 page Super Sailfish plans. I'll use the same format, put in wooden Alcort Sunfish numbers, and also enlarge each component so a magnifying glass will not be needed to read the measurements...as time is carved out from multiple other competing projects...
Here are measurements for the new style rudder (1971 and later). The boat sails better with this rudder than the original tiny blade. I'd suggest you make this out of mahogany while waiting for hull measurements.
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