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Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express
Another project over the past couple weeks: rebuilt the anchor light tower to add a platform for the satellite compass. I had to move the compass to make room for the Starlink. The mount isn't finished, but you'll get the general idea. This project turned into a bigger ordeal than I wanted or expected.
Projects this weekend. Prior to reflooring, I added bullnose trim on the stairs from the salon down to the cabins. Takes the treads from 8" wide to 9.25" -- much safer (and yes I did this because I have slipped on the stairs.) This work will all be hidden by VCT flooring.
I also built an enclosure for the hydraulic pump that drives the swim platform. The pump is in a cockpit floor locker, and I need to throw fenders in there without worrying about hurting the pump. Will double as a step ladder.
Had to call in my mechanic for this one. Judging from the sustained volume of his cursing over the past three hours, I understand why this problem never got fixed before.
Next adventure: we bought a dinghy! It's a Williams 280 jet tender which is basically the only boat that fits in the garage. Can't wait -- it'll be here Monday! It's a tiny little boat, but it's a Williams so it'll go 40 knots.
The garage never had a tender installed, so of course I have a ton of work to do:
* Install a winch in the tender garage. The winch is bolted in place and ready for power. I need to add my own limit switch to prevent over-tightening, so that's a work in progress.
* Install a wireless remote. It will operate the garage door, garage light, winch and swim platform ... a must-have for using the tender. I'm using a crane controller from Amazon. I've already designed the wiring and bought the parts, and I pulled most of the wiring. Still need to install junction boxes and rig all of the relays.
* Design a launching system. This is basically a system of rollers for moving the tender in and out. I thought "I'll just find it on the internet" but there's nothing, and it's surprisingly complex. I'm working with Jeff at versachock.com to figure it out.
So much going on! I'm behind on sharing photos of progress.
These pix are in the almost-done stage. Photos don't always tell the truth ... it looks like a million bucks! I'm really happy about the new floor hatch in the salon.
With the tender sitting in the driveway, today I spent 10 hours working on the remote control system. It now controls the garage door and the winch, so that's a win. Still need to figure out the swim platform. I feel like an expecting dad, preparing the nursery for a new baby.
I took this photo in the starboard lazarette early this morning, with the hatch closed because it was raining like crazy. If you've ever wondered what kind of idiot would do this at 7am on weekend -- I am that idiot. The cone-shaped thing in the center of the photo is the Glendinning power cord system. On the bottom left you can see the enclosure I built for the swim platform pump.
Today I installed some of the rollers for getting the tender in and out. Still need two more that will be removable: one at the bottom left of this picture, and one on the swim platform. Shout out to Jeff at VersaChock.com. These things are sturdy, and Jeff was a great help figuring out how to mount them.
(Ignore the river scum! I'll clean it up when I finish.)
https://www.bigskyprecision.com/products/ladder-mount-receiver-1-2-x-1-1-2
* Has multiple settings: fast, slow, and three intermittent wipe settings
* It syncs the three wiper motors together (much less distracting, IMHO)
* Automatic wash cycle with one button press
I replaced the wiper motors too. The originals (which were all leaking and corroded) had only one speed. They didn't cover the entire windshield, and weren't adjustable.
This job was way harder than I expected. I hooked it up and nothing was working right, so I assumed I had screwed something up. After much wailing and gnashing of teeth, and about 20 emails to Exalto in Norway, we realized that the controller was defective. So it wasn't me after all! They sent a new one, and I finished aligning the wiper arms today.
I did have to cut a gigantic hole in the boat, but you guys know that sort of thing doesn't scare me!
I only worked on the boat for 45 minutes, but that bit of work filled the last remaining hole in the instrument panels: the autopilot controller that has been backordered since November. Woohoooo, I am stoked! I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Someday soon, there will be a day when our biggest concern is wiping and polishing.
The only things missing from the main panel are the two phone chargers, which go in ... well, the only remaining real estate (left and right of the engine monitor).