Today was a discovery day.
Matt tackled more of the chainplate removal job.
Between rainfalls, he managed to pry the port and starboard chainplates out from up on deck.
As suspected, the port side wood was completely rotten, we could just poke a finger through and it would crumble
The starboard side looks ok.
Today we have been taking many pauses during our work. Not because we're tired and need a break. It's more to do with needing to think the next steps through, to analyze and assess what really needs doing and how we should best tackle it.
Think before you do. Good practice for both of us, me especially since I tend to go full into project-mode before much consideration. Right, Matt?!
So yes, if you were a fly on the wall today, you would've seen us pause a lot, deep in thought, eyes kind of glazed over.
I also spent some of the day going through all the secret hidden spaces in the boat and discovering all the spare parts that were left onboard.
It's always a good idea to know what equipment and tools you have before tackling a job, big or small.
Basically we know we have a lot of jobs to do, and so we want to make sure we work smart throughout it all. And that starts with doing an inventory, knowing what you have to work with.
Something we've also discovered today: The job you think will take 10 minutes will take at least half a day.
The jobs you are dreading because you think it will be difficult actually ends up being easy peasy lemon squeezy.
Lesson? Expect the unexpected. Or just don't expect anything.
We reached out to our online cruising community and coaches to see what our next action plan should be regarding these chainplates and the rotten wood.
There's an Endeavours Owner group on Facebook and one member was super helpful and even called us to talk us through our options. She also has an Endeavour 42 too and had to do a similar job on her boat.
Did I ever mention how supportive the cruising community is?! Wow!
We are taking it all in stride and like someone commented in the forum, we will get such a sense of pleasure and reassurance when we're in a gale or big seas, knowing that our rigging and chainplates are done properly because we took the time and effort to ensure this was done correctly.
Tomorrow we are also getting one of the guys who works in the boatyard here to have a look at it and give us his opinion.
Regardless of what else he finds, the bulkhead (interior structural wall) will have to be removed and remade due to the rot and then the chainplates will need to be rebolted again.
In order to this, we need a good sunny hot spell of weather! No good gluing and fiberglassing everything back together when there is still moisture in the air since moisture is what you want to keep out in the first place!
As nice as this cool temperature has been to work in, we are in need of some summer weather around here! Everyone is saying how late summer seems to be arriving. Hopefully it is just around the corner.
In the meantime, tomorrow IS sunny and dry, although not too hot but we'll take it So my day will be spent sanding and scraping the hull.
We were casually talking to the boatyard manager and he recommended a previous intern that had worked there to come and help us.
She is currently looking for some part time work and would love to help us with the hull, sanding and painting. Plus she is a super hard worker, bonus!
Tonight I went into Bridgewater to get some groceries while Matt finished off with the chainplates. We are soaking them in vinegar overnight to give them a good cleaning. Tomorrow we will be able to see if there is any deeper rust on them.
We had dinner in our cockpit again, this time with a gorgeous sunset show. After today's rain, there was a brilliant sky of pink and orange hues just as the sun was setting.
Highlight of the day: talking to one of my loveliest sweetest friends, Ritu Kumar who is living in Dubai. She's one of those friends that you can just pick up from anywhere, like you've just seen each other last week. Love you Pitu!!
Tomorrow is gonna be a gruelling day.... I can feel my arms burning already!
We should've built in a massage budget into our plan. I think I will desperately need one after the next few days' work.
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