Motivational help

[Sunset]

I'm on my way to the barn to sand on a boat that's never been wet yet. I'll be sanding all day and thought maybe some one could let me know about the fun and adventures they had today while I'm grinding away on my dream. I'm setting here typing this on our sun porch with the Beta 20 setting next to me. Sometimes I think it is actually laughing at me silently saying you know your never going to get me in the boat you big goofis.
Hope you people out there doing it have a nice day and share it with the sanding man!! ;)

Scott

[CharlieJ]

Well, I'm not sanding, but if I get nothing else done today, my Jeep has been washed clean of several thousand miles of highway grime. ;)

Am gonna go to the boat in a while, and just "mess about" in it. Nothing quite so much fun right?

[jotruk]

been working on my 16 ft-er and will be going out to the boat (hunter) in a few minutes. We have winds that are gusting to 35 mph to day so will not be going out.

[rorik]

Here's some perspective for ya......
I've been living aboard for 2-1/2 years. Been sailing about a dozen times - granted, sometimes for a couple of days at a time.
What's kept me from sailing more often?

Ripping out the Volvo MD7a and installing a Nanni N2.14 - and everything attached to it
Replacing the standing rigging
And the running rigging
And the water tanks and the sink and pump
And ripping out the galley and starting over with a new icebox and counter tops and shelves
And the head and holding tank and plumbing
And the sails
And the flippin' list is seemingly endless.......

All this while being self employed and at the mercy of my customer's schedules, rather than mine.

Today I'm torn between finishing up the Cape Horn install or the new bow roller assembly... or maybe just drinking my way into the evening as I tear out the HI-Seas diesel heater so I can start the preliminary measurements for the new Refleks heater....

Or maybe I'll just go back to bed and watch cartoons........  ;D


EDIT: ....and then three hours later it started to rain.......

[okawbow]

Spent the last year working hard to get my Privateer 26 schooner project in the water. Today, I sailed solo in perfect wind on a sunny day, the length of our 10 mile lake and back. The sails set perfectly, and the tiller was light and responsive. It seemed like everyone on the lake sailed over and complimented on the boat.

Just keep plugging away, and forget about perfection. Just settle for excellence.

[Bill W]

Hope the sanding went well for you Scott.

Spent yesterday cleaning up the boat in preparation for winter storage. Got the decks, cockpit and cabin looking respectable again. Was a great day for drying everything out. Had the tarp on and tied down by 5. So can look out the window at her and think about...May launch.  :(

Will be counting on your posts and progress while I whip ends on all the running rigging.

[Bubba the Pirate]

In April of 2007 (yes, oh seven), I purchased my Cape Dory 28. I had cashed out the 401(k) and sold all my furniture. I thought I'd be gone by the fall. 

I ran out of money fast, so I started driving a truck (four years and a half million miles). It's hard to get much work done when you're out on the road.  BUT I paid off all my bills.

I drove part time one summer and worked on the boat a lot. The next Summer, I took a class and became a Pharmacy Technician. I thought that a good paying part time job would fund the boat work I needed.

Well, this Summer was good for boat work, but part time work and a boat project are a great way to go broke. Looking at my boat budget for next Spring, I needed full time work. 

Last week, I started working full time again. I'm helping to build 45 meter wind turbine blades. I think the fiberglass work AND ALL THE SANDING I'VE DONE in the last five years got me the job.

Next Spring, chainplates and a mast raising. Then some cabinet work, wiring and plumbing. I might be in the water in 2013, but Spring of 2014 for sure. Check out http://www.bubbathepirate.com for pictures and ramblings of a half crazed man covered in dust.

Carry on, sir. Not only are you doing fine. Once you start sanding, there's no place you'll rather be. I know this wasn't the tropical island sojourn story you were looking for, but maybe there's strength in our shared struggle.

[Sunset]

Thanks everyone!
I am going to see the designer this weekend, stop by Washington NC and see my old Belhaven19. Make a side trip to Greenville to see a Graham Byrens 28 design similar to mine. It's trailerable with CB and about has a foot and a half less beam. He is getting close to being done. All this on a weekend that hurricane Sandy is disrupting the weather. What the heck I needed a little adventure anyway.

[Plover]

I admire people that have the patience to keep on sanding even when all they want to do is quit. I am not one of those people. Maybe that is why most of my boats have had encapsulated insects in the varnish work. I will try to do better on Plover. You have inspired me.