We have been looking to add to our boating options

[tdonoughue]

Well, that was a bright idea...

 

[zipper]

We added a midship cleat to the boat today. The boat did not have one from the factory, but it did have a fairlead amidship. Willow was talking to a friend and sailing instructor from RI. She recommended these S.S. sliding/locking track cleats to mount on the jib track. Amazon.com : Schaefer Mid-Rail Chock and Cleat Mounts on 1 x 1/8-Inch T-Track fits Up to 1/2-Inch/13mm Line : Sailing Equipment : Sports & Outdoors
We know about the ease of docking with a springline and a midship cleat but we always used a bow cleat with spring line and the stern cleat with a dock line. Not optimal and twice as many chances to make a mistake. Willow ordered one for each side. We tried them and as the description in the link states, they are made to fit T track. The Beneteau track is similar but not exactly a T shape. The cleats would need to be machined to fit the track. I made a quick visit to a neighbor with a milling machine and he let me cut .050" off of each side to open up the slide .100" to fit the track. With the slight rounding of the cut face with a file, the cleats fit the track.



We placed the sliding cleat on the track at the widest area of the beam and drilled a 1/4" hole in the track for the spring loaded locking pin to hold the cleat in place.





And then when we need to use the full track, we can slide it aft, out of the way.



It is out of the way, not on the well traveled section of the deck and less prone to tripping on it or smashing a toe. It is also in a good proximity to the midship fairlead.



Very Happy to have made them fit.

 

[tdonoughue]

Oh, that is an awesome idea. And then you can drill an additional hole and put the cleat wherever you want it!

<thinking how he could possibly add one of these to his jetboat>

 

[zipper]

The black water holding tank developed a leak so I ripped it out, as well as the crib or platform it sat on. It was a smelly, nasty and heavy piece of "craftsmanship". I patterned the old one and made a new one, sealed it with epoxy and then painted with a 1 part polyurethane marine paint. It was a perfect fit on the first try. The old one was never attached to the boat and relied on gravity to keep it in place. The new one will be thru bolted to a bulkhead. The new tank will arrive in a couple of days.





The leak in the threads of the old tank.

 

[zipper]

Proud of my wife after redesigning and making new salon cushions for the boat. She made new Sunbrella vinyl cushions and we wanted to re design the 3 cushion back rest into a 1 cushion back rest that could double as a filler cushion to extend the seating area for sleeping. Love the final product.



We can unclip it from the mounting position and use it as a filler cushion to extend the sleeping area on the boat.



This is what the old back rests looked like.




We used beau clips to hold the back rest in place and to position legs for the filler cushion.

 

[BigN8]

The real question is, how’d that new shitter tank work out for ya? Would Eddie from Christmas Vacation be proud??

 

[zipper]

The real question is, how’d that new shitter tank work out for ya? Would Eddie from Christmas Vacation be proud??

, I don't recall the scene from the movie. The tank arrives today, I will install it and the new toilet this week.

I had to find it... Funny.

 

[zipper]

The real question is, how’d that new shitter tank work out for ya? Would Eddie from Christmas Vacation be proud??

Back by popular demand...The new "shitter" and holding tank are in.





The old Jabsco always needing a new joker valve.



Well not the tank, but the new platform. Need to rebundle and hang the wiring.

 

[tdonoughue]

Well, sh!t! Tanks be to God for that!

(another job nicely done)

 

[zipper]

Cushions are done, except for the hidem gimp, on order. What a difference and alot more room for sleeping albeit with two Belgian Shepherds.

 

[BigN8]

That's a lot of support legs! Those cushions must be designed for a lot of "pushion".....

 

[zipper]

That's a lot of support legs! Those cushions must be designed for a lot of "pushion".....

Ya, 6 per side to support the cushion and the 5/8" backer board. The legs snap/unsnap easily using the Beauclip system. I did not want it falling down under any conditions. Whether it is just us "Rolling in the hay" ya, right after 30 years married but more likely both of us and the dogs all on one side, about 450#'s, I did not want to have any spring in the 5/8" board. I usually design for overkill until I find out I did not need to during the use. I did not want to sit on one end and have the other end pop up or bow in the middle.

 

[tdonoughue]

I am just amazed at the overall look of the cabin there. I remember how it started. Whole place is a different feel and look. Marvelous.

You folks should be very proud. Very nicely done.

 

[zipper]

I am just amazed at the overall look of the cabin there. I remember how it started. Whole place is a different feel and look. Marvelous.

You folks should be very proud. Very nicely done.

Thanks Tim. Yes, I am proud of what she put together based on an idea that I had. They came out very nice and change the whole look of the interior.

To go from this...



To this...



And then convert to this...



Makes a huge difference. I had the idea and design, she made it happen. I am still pinching myself, lol.

 

[tdonoughue]

Oh, but it is so much more than just this one piece! That center console thingy. The floor. The whole cabin is amazing, particularly remembering how the whole thing started!

I am amazed, and I saw the whole thing happen.

 

[zipper]

Oh, but it is so much more than just this one piece! That center console thingy. The floor. The whole cabin is amazing, particularly remembering how the whole thing started!

I am amazed, and I saw the whole thing happen.

You are right, the last 4 years (22 pages), have been quite a journey. I have learned a boatload about marine systems as many of them needed refitting on this 30 yo sailboat. Even the lesser known aspects of knots and using a midship cleat with a spring line to dock in windy conditions. I have a good partner who can hold her end of the line, with her modifications too. I wonder what our next boat will bring us. The Yamaha brought me to this boat forum.

 

[zipper]

Documenting the new dinghy cover in this thread. A few pictures of the dinghy and motor cover. I am psyched that I won't have to bail out the boat after it rains. Boat vent sewn into the cover with an adjustable pole. Don't mind the icy conditions.

I think it looks like a boat shoe on wheels.









We used hooks to terminate the shock cord. And hog rings to attach the cord to the hooks.



The adjustable black hook on the motor sets the tension along the ridge. Adjustable strap in my fingers.

 

[tdonoughue]

Yep. It's a boat shoe...

 

[tabbibus]

Documenting the new dinghy cover in this thread. A few pictures of the dinghy and motor cover. I am psyched that I won't have to bail out the boat after it rains. Boat vent sewn into the cover with an adjustable pole. Don't mind the icy conditions.

I think it looks like a boat shoe on wheels.

View attachment 167920

View attachment 167921

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View attachment 167923

We used hooks to terminate the shock cord. And hog rings to attach the cord to the hooks.

View attachment 167924

The adjustable black hook on the motor sets the tension along the ridge. Adjustable strap in my fingers.

View attachment 167925

that is cute

 

[2kwik4u]

@zipper I'm continually impressed by the amount of work you and your wife get done.

I mean, you guys sleep at some point right?

Also, the value you've gotten from the Sailrite machine with all of these projects is equally amazing. Most people don't use a tool like that to 1/2 of this capacity.

Well done sir!

Also, it's definitely a boat shoe on wheels.