Winter activities

[Greg Luckett]

This is the first winter in maybe ten years that I am not building a boat in the shop/garage. It feels really odd.  I feel the obligation to finally build the furniture that my wife and I have been wanting for so many years, thus will spend the time on that.

So far, I designed and built a large, oak book shelf, then have been busy rearranging the shop for making some desks, end tables, an aquarium stand, more shelving, & stools. I suppose this will add to my skill set for doing joinery on boat interiors. I still dream of building a PS26 and may have found a place to do so not too far from home.

In any case, Merry Christmas to all of you.

[John Turpin]

No boat building here, either.  I am, however, working on a new trailer.  My current trailer is a really heavy painted steel trailer that should be sitting under some heavy bass boat.  The (unadjustible) axle is way at the back and the tongue weight is really obnoxious.

A couple of months ago, I happened upon a Trailex aluminum boat trailer of unknown age that needed a new home.  It really needed help.  I've gotten all of the rusted bolts replaced and the new wiring/lights almost installed.  Soon it will have a new winch, jack stand and bunks.  Then, when I can find the right trailer repair outfit, I'll replace its axle and leaky 12" wheels/tires for a new axle/springs and 13" wheels/tires.  I don't really need more capacity, but those tiny 12" tires aren't as condusive to long trips as the larger axle/wheels will be.

Soon, I'll have a trailer that will better suit my boat.  Then, maybe I can roll the boat around my driveway without my entire family helping.

[Tom Lathrop]

Plenty cold in coastal North Carolina today and one activity is packing in wood for the stove that makes the house cozy.  Other than making toys for friends kids and toys for tots, some presents for the daughters in law, other cheese boards for Liz to give to her friends, getting materials ready to build a 49" model of my old Korean War destroyer, I am helping a friend finish up an experimental aircraft and get it ready for the FAA inspector to see if it is flight ready.  Damn, I'm tired.

Also trying to follow my bride to a representative number of the many parties and events that Oriental affords during this season.  Saturday was "Spirit of Christmas" in Oriental and it rained all day.  For the first time in memory , the parade was cancelled but a hardy few made the route anyway.  A surprising number of visitors and locals still came out to sample the goodies supplied by the local merchants, as well as pack the Methodist church to hear the Pamlico Chorale sing carols, including our own Carla of our redoubtable B&B twins.

[Ken_Potts]

No work here either.  All projects are on hold until the big move.  Tonight I'll pack for tomorrow's flight to Syndey for a road-trip holiday with my lovely lady.

Tom - What flavor of experimental aircraft are you working on?

[Oyster]

Liteweights We are into our second and third season of messing about in boats and refining the finishes while braving the elements this time of year. We are getting the dings out of the summer topcoats in anticipation of the new years day cruise for lunch at the beachhead. Ken be safe. Are you a former yacht owner now?

[Ken_Potts]

  Hi Oyster!  Congrats on being the only enterprising individual to chime in so far (from a boat perspective)  :cool:

  I am still a yacht owner - Nobody has thrown any money at me yet (it's a homebuilt).  It's looking increasingly likely that I'll end up shipping the boat down there.  I wonder how difficult it will be to get the trailer registered...

  Enjoy the New Year's cruise.  I'll be on a plane returning from Christmas at the beach.

[Oyster]

Two weeks ago :cool: offhore too in water over my head!

IN conjunction with fishing, we have been spending a few hours with the birds.

Even Oyster Catchers were within our reach too.

We will keep the light on for you and the others stuck in the snow banks. :-P

[Tom Lathrop]

No work here either.  All projects are on hold until the big move.  Tonight I'll pack for tomorrow's flight to Syndey for a road-trip holiday with my lovely lady.

Tom - What flavor of experimental aircraft are you working on?

Its a Pietenpohl.  The engine is the same as Bernie's original, a 1929 model A, with modifications of course.  After making some weight and balance measurements, we may have to move the engine forward a bit.  That means a new engine mount but it may be the best course to take rather than try to correct with wing position.

[hokeyhydro]

I'm building a Cat House. Should be open for business this week. Nonono, you pervs, a Cat House for my Daughter's catamaran!  Lots of PVC pipe and connectors, strap a tarp on it, and roll the cat in for the winter, which hopefully won't last long.  And I will be banking bonus points with the Admiral by refinishing a yet another piece of her old family furniture. Two down, one to go. I may even have to install a few hundred square feet of laminate floor to get enough bonus points to gain permission for another boat build. Sometime in the next month or so I plan to add finishing touches to my 9' cedar strip dinghy. Yes, it wasn't totally done when it took 1st place at the Beaufort wooden boat show - lacked a small foredeck and a few other trim pieces.

[Ken_Potts]

Tom - A tail-heavy Aircamper?  I've never heard of such a thing!    Very cool.  Are there any photos on West Coast Piet?

Oyster - Has there ever been a bad picture of that boat?  You're going to drive our Northern brethren to drink.

[sscoville]

 

This photo shows the inverted frames to the shantyboat I'm building along with the stern frame right side up in the foreground.  The hull has progressed a bit since this photo was taken, but I have not been out in the shop much in the past week because of the cold.  Often I have to take my 14 month old son with me and so that gives me a good excuse to stay indoors lately.

[Tom Lathrop]

Tom - A tail-heavy Aircamper?  I've never heard of such a thing!    Very cool.  Are there any photos on West Coast Piet?

One thing is that there is a nice tail wheel instead of the usual skid and that has a substantial moment arm on it.  Maybe shift the wing back a couple inches and change to a skid but I like the wheel.  The barn/shop is not great for taking photos but here are a couple.  Also some of the toys.

Making the propeller was my first contribution to the plane.  It is maple glued with resorcinol.

[Oyster]

Thats a pretty cool airplane project. I sure hope that glue for the prop holds up Tom. HEHE

Ken ,the boat performs well and meets all my requirements and then some too. Interior layout does take away some curves but I would not change the layout either. Fish has yet to be turned off with the lack luster finish too this season. 8-)

[Ken_Potts]

Tom - Aren't car engines supposed to spin the other direction? :shock: (kidding)

sscoville - More shanty boat updates as the project continues, please (nice shed, too).

Oyster - Keep the fish population from getting out of hand.

I'm off to the airport! :grin:

[upspirate]

Neat plane!

Oyster, thanks for the link.

I may have to go out in a boat new years w/e just to remember what it's like!! :shock: 8)

[Tom Lathrop]

I have been organizing a sailing regatta on New Year's Day for the last 16 years.  It is called "The Instead of Football Regatta".  Only canceled once.  50 boats out last year but if the weather doesn't break, there will be less this year.  High of 30 today and teens tonight.  Might as well be in Maine.  Not!!

[Steve Day]

We boat around here in the winter too!  :grin: I got out in the dinghy today and rowed all around the marina looking at boats while I was exercising. It just barely broke 50 today, so there weren't many folks out and about, but there were a few other hardy souls.

We're going up into the Delta right after the first of the year - after all of the Christmas stuff is over.

Steve

[Greg Luckett]

Ben, Sam, and I have gotten busy making a Cat Motel, with heat, for our two outside cats. They are too criminal to be in the house more than a short, supervised, visitation. Due to their criminal activities they are soon to be banished from my shop and breezeway too.

[Hirilonde]

Due to their criminal activities they are soon to be banished from my shop and breezeway too.

Hmmm, do they steal, murder or plunder?  :-P

[Greg Luckett]

[quote author=Hirilond