Steve Day

Garry, I got started on the new attachment system. I epoxied the backing blocks to the hull and have ordered the stainless steel. Hopefully, the stainless will be here Wednesday. This is turning into a fun project. ;D I'll try to get a few pictures in the next few days. 8) Steve

Oyster is correct. I ordered several sheets for my Garvey and he shipped them to me via common carrier. Since it was going to cost me $50 extra to have it delivered to the house, I met the driver at the local Wal-Mart parking lot and took delivery there. I saved a bunch of money ordering the wood thru them and getting it delivered that way. The last bunch of wood was purchased from Graham as we were visiting Oyster and Graham last summer anyway. Steve

Did'ja see any horses? Steve

Scott, That is really a pretty interior. You have "done yourself proud" with that job. Nice work! Steve

Garry, I was sitting here the other day thinking about another project when I got the bright idea of retro-fitting your system to my Spindrift. It appears that it will not be too hard to do and it is just the project duration to allow me to use the Spindrift this coming spring as a tender. I'll let you know how I do and if I have any questions. I see you are working on a birder to paddle around that area. Maybe Gina and I should bring the Diva 2 down to paddle with you later this year. Steve

Scott, According to the Oconee Sailing & Yacht Club, BEER is from June 6 through 10, 2008. Their website is: http://osyc.net/SPIP/, look under calendar of events 2008. My big boat is on charter that weekend, so I will likely participate with my Spindrift or the kayak. We'll have to see how that works out. I have no other information on the cruise other than that. Take a look at the "BEER or Texas 200" thread on the Main Forum. I expect we will start to see something as people thaw out from the winter. Oh, wait a minute, we don't really freeze down here in Alabama, so I guess that's a relative term. I love to see that yellow boat in person. bring it on down and enjoy the "Redneck Riviera" with us. Steve

Scott, That boat looks very nice. I do have to agree with Ray, that boat is sure yellow. However, visibility is good and I like yellow to help ensure visibility. I also agree with Mike. It is hard to get pictures of your boat under sail. You have several nice shots of the boat here. Are you coming south for BEER? Steve

I, too, am impressed with the way she looks. I hope you will have her with you when you come south to paddle with us on the Mobile Bay Delta. Steve

I think a lot of people don't like to work with the wire because it is hard on the hands. I usually have a couple of wounds when I tie a boat, but I still prefer the wire. :-[ As I said before, I'm used to using aircraft safety wire with a proper set of safety wire pliers. Steve

Mike, Once again, you have provided pictures of a fine sailing day. It's good to see Popsicle out on the water again. I, too, have been out sailing on Mobile Bay. We were out yesterday with the Sea Scout boats taking a mission team from Illinois out for a sail as a small reward for their work at a church over in Mobile with half of the team on each of the two boats. One is a Catalina 36 and the other a Bristol 40. When we got out on the water, I realized I had not brought the camera. > I was on the Catalina and could have had some really nice pictures of the Bristol. She is sure a pretty boat! Adla, How neat to see you back on the forum. Glad to hear you are still around. Capt Jake, Good to see you surface, too. I was wondering what happened to you. Steve

Ahh, yes. It was barefoot everywhere for me when I was younger. The only place I didn't go barefoot was where the sandspurs were. Now that I have gotten older and spent so much time working for "the Man," my feet have lost those calluses and I cannot go about barefoot. Sandals, boatshoes are now the standard footwear for me both in and out of the shop. Even when out on the big boat, I keep shoes on to protect my feet. As most of us can agree, it's tough getting old. Steve

Garry, I have used aircraft safety wire on all of the stitch & glue boats I have built. It is not expensive and is easy to work with. I have had good success with removing it by heating where epoxy had "captured" the wire during the initial application. A good set of safety wire pliers also helps twist the wire easily. One side benefit is that it is made from stainless steel, so it can be left in the boat if I cannot remove it from the seam. I don't think I would play with tie wraps, given my good experience with the safety wire. One side issue is that I do poke myself a few times in the safety wire process. OUCH! That could convince some folks to use the tie wraps. Happy New Year, Steve

Mike, I think that is about the slickest anchor storage scheme I have seen. I like the way you put the fuel up there, too. I need the forward weight on the Garvey and just might try something like that for it. Thanks for the great idea. Steve

We just booked the big boat for a "bare-boat" charter the weekend of the BEER cruise, so I will be participating with either the sailing dinghy or the kayak. I do plan to be there for at least part of the BEER cruise. Steve

Graham, I, too, add my condolences to those above. It is very difficult to hear of a senseless, sudden death like that. our prayers are with the family in their time of grief. While I never met Jon, I know I would have liked him and that we would have had a lot to share. Via con Dios, Jon, Steve

I'll have to add my two cents to this discussion. Gina and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas! (One of the kids at church said "Happy Merry Christmas!") May you and yours have a blessed Christmas season. ;D Steve

Mike, You old rascal. I knew you would come back some day. It's just not the same when you lurk and don't contribute. Good to see you back on the forum. Steve

Graham, Absolutely! It's a little cool and it is very busy getting ready for Christmas, so we haven't been out lately. We hope to get out in the new year and explore a lot more. Keep us posted on the CS 17. I really like the way she is going together. Steve

If my big plastic boat is not on charter, I just might do the BEER run with it. I already have two charters in April, so the calendar is starting to fill. We'll just have to see. Steve

Smoolie, Don't sell LA short (that's Lower Alabama). The cost of living is significantly less that that in the Orlando area. There is plenty of work around here, if you are interested in the shipbuilding or steel industries, or their support industry. Super great sailing on Mobile Bay and over toward Pensacola, too. Steve

According to the Oconee Sailing & Yacht Club, BEER is from June 6 through 10, 2008. Their website is: http://osyc.net/SPIP/ If I can make it this year, I will be there. Last year I was tied up giving a kidney to my son. Steve

Oooh, Graham. I do like the way that thing fits together. Looks as if the CNC machine and all the time are good investments. Keep up the good work! Steve BTW, Did that fellow ever finish the Diva2 over at the school?

Hey Dave, I noticed the missing side seats on my 10N the first time I sailed it and put together this solution. This is a lot better than putting my butt on the gunwhale. It takes a few more minutes when rigging the boat and there are a couple more pieces to stow when the boat is disassembled, but it is worth the effort. My butt thanks me every time I sail the boat. BTW, you can see the bailer in the after hull in the first picture. Steve

What an elegant looking little hull. She is truly beautiful, Tom. Steve

Kudzu, You might want to talk to Graham about the tracking. He designed the Divas and might have a few thoughts on the situation. Steve