Matt is in the thick of sorting out the wiring and setting up some actual switches (no more holding the wires to the battery contacts). We also pulled out the old flimsy aluminum bimini from the basement and, using a tubing bender from Harbor Freight (60.00) and stainless tubing from Fazzio's Metalworks (A/K/A Fazzio's Salty Balls -- this may be a story for another time) bent a new bimini frame based on the old one. The vinyl top looks good enough for at least one more season.
We have plastic hardware and are replacing it with metal for good measure.
The Club rented a boom truck, so we took advantage of it to fix the exceedingly bent Windex/vhf antenna.
The interior handrails are up now, after they spent all winter sitting under the Hobie.
I got the Hobie ready to go but the water is still too cold to take her out for a spin.
The motor is back on. We are not having her serviced (eeee). She ran nicely in a bucket in the garage so we are going to cross our fingers and go with it.
We also received a free sail from the sail fairy. Looks like another 180, in slightly worse condition than ours. It is just the sail we needed a back up for too, as Matt likes to use it in inappropriate conditions. Thanks Glen!
We are fine fine fine and just about ready to launch.
This is definitely a record year so far.
Always good to be making progress, looks great
ReplyDeleteDid the Harbor freight bender work on stainless and what size tubing did you use? O love the DIY'ers. I am learning as YOU go. My wallet won't keep up with the pace of repairs but I slog along.
ReplyDeleteOh yes it definitely worked. It took some muscle but it worked. The tubing was an inch or so and very thick. We bought it from an industrial building and welding supply place. Too bad you are so far away.
ReplyDeleteIt was also unpolished which made it cheaper and keeps it from getting as hot in the sun as polished stainless
It seems like the task turned out easier than expected, though it’s quite a big job. It's good that you didn’t have to pay more for the service, since the equipment you needed were made available for you.
ReplyDeleteJonathan Carroll @ Bucket Trucks