Don Silsbe

Here’s the latest. The c/b is back in, and it looks like it might actually pivot! (No photo.) The companionway storage units are all done, and in place. The forepeak storage is also done. Tomorrow, I finish the runner on the trailer for the c/b. Then it’s time to start packing!

@Nick C— Thanks for the input. I was given a gift of their 2-3/4” PSA rolls and a foam sanding block. That paper was made in Poland. It is pretty poor stuff. Good to hear that they have other grades that perform better, because there’s a store 45 minutes away. (I live in the country, so almost everything is at least 30 minutes away.)

@Paul356– Thanks. I am leery of off-brand sandpaper. Good info. I agree with you about Shopsmith brand. They’re great, but mu Lowes no longer carries them

I’ve been feeding my Random Orbital Sander a steady diet of varying brands of 5” sanding discs. I’ve tried Shopsmith, Diabolo, Craftsman, and Norton ProSand blue discs. I’m not totally pleased with any of them. Which brand(s) do you prefer, and where do you order them from? Russel Brown prefers Norton sandpaper, but the blue stuff I can get at my local lumber yard doesn't last very long. What do you use, and where do you buy it?

Thanks, Amos. Working on this boat has been good for my marriage. I want to build something, but The War Department wanted to know which boat I was going to get rid of. It didn’t make sense to me, but I did sense that the answer was no to the new boat build. Making improvements to Ted’s boat has fed the Beast. I’m good until next fall. We’ll see how that shakes out. I’m hanging out with the WCTSS in Florida. Here are their cruises. I’m going to all their Feb. and Mar. events. Check out their FB page, by searching for “West Coast Trailer Sailing Squadron”.

The bow roller is finished, and just in time! Ted bought a sexy new anchor— a Rocna Vulcan. I am so excited to try out this new toy! I think I’ll add a rope tether, since I just don’t trust rubber. She also got a first coat of varnish today, to cover the new work below as well as the exterior brightwork. On rainy days, I work on these add-on panels for the inside of the companionway. And the keel rollers are now in place on the trailer. She’s setting a little cock-eyed on the trailer. I hope that launching her will make everything align properly. I take her to Florida in 12 days. I think I’m gonna be ready. Maybe. I hope.

Thanks for this, Alan. I’m not lengthening the c/b this year, for a couple of reasons. If I store her next winter, I’ll probably do that. One question— We usually stand on the c/b, when righting after a capsize. Are we confident that this modification will sustain that load?

Southern Express is a fine boat. Happy that Carol put her foot down. With Avocet, no matter what trick I tried, she would always veer OFF-wind, if I let go of the helm. This is dangerous. Besides, it’s difficult to tack, when the tiller is already halfway over. And the boat is slower, too. I think this is the reason that the previous owner had a reef in only the main in this photo. That is the one trick I did not try.

@Jknight611— Two Bits comes north with me every year. It seemed only right to have her tag along on this adventure. I didn't use her much, but it was fun rowing her around to greet the other boaters. I’m looking for a good excuse to build a nesting Spindrift 10. (The need for speed requires feed.). Would you like to buy her? I gave her a tall rig last year. (Again, the need for speed.)

I’ve got a little Awlgrip white primer. I might just hit it a lick. But thanks for the option.

We finally got a warm day, so I did some final epoxy work. I gave the interior a final dress coat. More importantly, I glassed up the slot underneath.p

@Jknight611—This is a serious change. If Avocet had not had so much leeward helm, there’s no way I’d be cutting into her.

I belong to the WCTSS, the West Coast Sailing Squadron (Florida). They do an incredible amount of sail cruising and messabouting in Florida, mostly on the west coast of Florida. I plan to join them in Avocet in a few weeks. Dan Roeder is the unofficial commodore of the squadron. He just posted this video of their latest adventure. They have a Facebook page. Here is the link to their website: http://wctss.net

I thought the c/b location thing was limited to the first few 17’s. (I always reserve the right to be wrong.) It is interesting to me to see your new stem and that 1” high keel. Has that always been there?

@PadrePoint— That was going to be my answer. You beat me to the punch!