Well I’ve pictured Splendid with a black hull since the day I first laid eyes on her. It took a little doing but I found a white that I really like, am content with, and will be glad to live with. It’s not too white (blinding) and not too creamy, its just right. It’s a bit like hatteras white.
As you can see from the photo Splendid will look really nice once I’m all done. I don’t know how long it will take me to finish up, but I’m shooting for about 6-8 weeks. After that I need to get into Charter mode and camp out in the San Blas and run some backpackers around unless a bunch of money drops into my lap. I’m running my life really lean. If I’m thinking to buy something and it isn’t related to painting or nutrition I don’t get it.
I did put some effort into getting the kubota up and running as a charging unit. I was using too much diesel when I was spraying or sanding running the main engine.
Today I’m hoping to put on the last coat (thin/finish)onto the stern so I can remount the windvane and get it off the foredeck.
After that I need to refocus on chipping the aft cabin house. Whatever paint someone put on the aft cabin house is a real nightmare. I think at some point someone slopped a quick 1-part paintjob on it to make it look good for sale or something. I don’t see that paint on any other part of the boat and it is a painful bitch to get off. I cant be chipped as it really isn’t dry and I need to heat gun the entire thing which takes off all of the paint down to bare fiberglass. Which in the end isn’t a bad thing.
I have this vision in my head of living on a clean boat with a nice white shirt & shorts. I’m really sick of being covered in oil. paints, and gunk all the time. It’s been a long, long, long road getting this old girl put back together but when its done i will prevail! I will have a nice yacht/home to grow old on :) Speaking of old I’m turning 46 in a few days (7/14), ouch!
Anyway, a short blog today. The sun is out and I need to get to work.
Peace, Love, and Paint, Paint, PAINT!!!!
Yo Bro…
Great focus in your blog. I have a problem with focus and get too many projects going at the same time and don’t get them done when they should be. BUT I just read a little book called “Eat the Frog.” In a nut shell it says get up in the morning and knock out the worst thing you can do that day and then it’s down hill from there.
It seems to be working. So there you have it, wisdom from the SW Florida shores.
Enjoy whatever you do today and shoot out a video. I’ve got a couple of bucks that nee do get into your PayPal account. Don’t edit it, just shoot it and put it up. Show us all the fun your having…
Later…
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
Capt Paul,
I’m working on a video now. I really don’t like my new camera as the video is quite jerky but you’ll see what I mean when I post it. I will be posting it in the free section, I’m not so into charging for the videos even though I make a few bucks more. Not so many people actually see them and I like spreading the word if you know what I mean.
I pretty much do the same thing. I have too many projects going on and I’m really only good to work in the am/early afternoon. The hammock starts yelling at me and demanding my time. When its dry its nice to lay in the hammock and edit video :)
I tried to put the final coat of paint on the stern but didn’t shoot it well and ended up with runs. I am really learning my gun though and I’m finally getting a knack for it. The stern is a good practice surface. Where I didn’t get runs today I shot perfect glass :)
Cheers
Yo Bro…
Great focus in your blog. I have a problem with focus and get too many projects going at the same time and don’t get them done when they should be. BUT I just read a little book called “Eat the Frog.” In a nut shell it says get up in the morning and knock out the worst thing you can do that day and then it’s down hill from there.
It seems to be working. So there you have it, wisdom from the SW Florida shores.
Enjoy whatever you do today and shoot out a video. I’ve got a couple of bucks that nee do get into your PayPal account. Don’t edit it, just shoot it and put it up. Show us all the fun your having…
Later…
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
Alex:
Hey Free is good too. You still have that donate button don’t ya. ;0) So chasin’ leaks, building a new site and editing video as well as moving is keeping me busy. I’ll let you know when I put up a new vid on YouTube.
We’ll shoot the poop later, now go take a nap… I mean edit video in the hammock.
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
white is a winner…….thanks for the call……i’ll put your # in skype………….G
Well I’m slightly concerned about something, I may have termites?
I’ve always had spiders and haven’t killed them because I’m worried about getting cockroaches and/or other bugs. I also have a few geckos running around the boat fighting a natural battle against potential intruders, I really don’t like chemicals in my home.
I’ve noticed some tiny (the size of a pin head) insects running around since I bought Splendid. I saw one yesterday, I think I drew it out of the deck with the heat gun. When I got Splendid she came with a field mouse and swarms of mud-dobbers and spiders. I’ve always kind of liked spiders. I did find a few brown-recluse spiders and killed them. I never really thought much of the tiny insects, I haven’t found many and they are seemingly unobtrusive, or are they?
When I bought Splendid I sounded the hull with a hammer. She was solid as a rock but the stern section did have a funny sound. The sound was uniform and I didn’t think much about it, it sounded a bit hollow. The entire stern is above the water line. Now I’m wondering if the stern is cored? The decks are cored with solid teak and there isn’t remotely a soft spot.
I heard of a guy here who had termites on his boat. He sealed it all up and pumped his exhaust into the boat, I hear he killed them but it is all hearsay, it was years ago and there is no first hand information.
Anyway this has just dawned on me and I don’t really know what to think yet. Much of Splendid is wood. I don’t see the sawdust trails anywhere which everyone associates with termites.
If anyone has any ideas please let me know.
wow i wrote you a response but somehow it didn’t post.
i agree with you about reducing your exposure to chemicals. That being said having brown recluse spiders alone might be enough for me to consider chemicals, throw in termites and will let’s just say that I personally would be looking for some extra help. That being said my father worked in AG Chem for decades “almost 3 of them”. One of his long standing concerns was a chemical compound’s half-life. In my humble opinion “and that is all it is so hopefully no one will post something to make me look like a fool…honestly I do a great job of that by myself” it is time to use chemicals and the three most important factors to me would be toxicity, half-life and how many applications will it take. Hopefully you won’t have to tent your boat and fog it for days.
Well…, after closer inspection of Splendid I do have termites.
I’m all about nature and living without chemicals, but I’m about to turn into the Toxic Avenger and go on a mass chemical killing spree.
I couldn’t figure out the leek under my shower and now it makes sense, the plywood is Swiss cheese and filled with termites. Not a huge deal but I want to get this thing before any more damage is done.
Structurally the only “wood” concerns on my boat are the bulkheads and compression post. At this point I’m not worried about them but I don’t want to have to think about it in the future. I don’t want to be sitting in some small country somewhere with a termite problem with no way to address it. There was a really nice Tayana 37 pilothouse for cheap in Tonga that I was interested in but the word was all the wood was shot including the bulkheads from termites. Yet another reason I don’t like docks, or putting the boat on land. Splendid was in dry dock (in a cow field) for 8 years when I got her.
I called a pest control place yesterday about the issue and they do fumigate boats with vikane gas for termites. I couldn’t work out all the details with my Spanish but someone who speaks english should be calling me today. I’ve heard tenting a boat in the States is really expensive and I’m hoping it is affordable here. If not I will turn to some other alternatives. Placing softer sacrificial wood near the infestation and tossing it seems to be an option, also finding, and injecting poison into the holes is another option. Truthfully I would like to tent and just kill every living organism on Splendid. I don’t mind restoring an old boat but I surly don’t want it eaten from under me.
Man, we had a really hard blow yesterday. After it passed there was a large ring around the moon ( hi altitude ice crystals) which usually means low-pressure is on the way in.
Peace, Love, and VIKANE GAS!
Wow termites are no bueno. if the termites are too much for you here’s a 60′ aluminum cheap sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/boa/2479767492.html imagine how many backpackers you could fit on this thing. Transfer all your equipment on to this thing for a year make money and then rebuild splendid from the inside out if you have too:) good luck with the critter killing… Peace
Cole, wow, my kind of boat!!!!!!
I can fix
under the shower in a few hours, not a biggie, but that really is the kind
of
boat I would be all over :)
When you get back to spraying try this: (if you havn’t already) put on a very light “tack coat” , to make the area sticky ,then you can lay on the paint. Don’t let the tack coat dry ,try to keep it tacky seems to help with sags and runs.
I thought this would be your kind of boat….. now if I can just buy it, donate it to you and send it UPS it would perfect :)….. I would go get it myself but the dock fees would kill me….. they want $12 a foot here in California, can you believe that? Keep living the dream…. your in a perfect place. If you want to get rid of the termites without using chemicals you can fill your boat full of ants after the termites are gone use peanut butter traps to capture the ants and problem solved.They’re termites greatest predetors:))
Don’t get ants in your pants….. happy fixing
Cole,
No need for UPS I’ll be right there if you want to donate it :) If I were to build a boat it would be from aluminum, and that really is exactly what I wanted, probably 44′ of waterline and the ultimate sailing shrimp boat (sturdy), and ready for low/high latitude sailing.
If I were anywhere near I would go look at it for sure and try to work something out with the owners if the hull was sound. If the galvanic conditions are/were bad the hull could be trash. Aluminum is such an amazing material for sailboats but you do need to keep an eye on the stray power in the water, bad conditions basically turn the hull into a battery and it falls apart. The french like to build from aluminum but the boats are super pricey.
I bet with a bottom job, inspection of the steering system, rudder, and rig I could get her down here pretty quick.
I just sent the owners an email, i wounder why it has to be gone in three weeks?
How can people let boats go to hell like this, it’s sad!
Cheers
They have more pictures here
cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/60-LOA-49-LOD-Custom-Aluminum-Diesel-Sailboat-SAN-DIEGO-/180692832014?pt=Sailboats&hash=item2a1221cf0e
After the persons craiglist post, I thought it would look really bad inside, but doesnt look to bad!
alex i tented plan b in colombia, but don’t remember $….tented a 25X9 in hawaii this year for $300…hope that helps for est/guess……G
Well I must admit I lost a bit of sleep last night thinking of big aluminum boats.
There are not many boats I would want to trade up/across too, and in my financial position I don’t think I ever will. An aluminum boat like this is pretty exciting to me.
The owners put it on ebay and if anyone is interested I would take a look at this ASAP, there is 9 hours left on the bidding.
cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/60-LOA-49-LOD-Custom-Aluminum-Diesel-Sailboat-SAN-DIEGO-/180692832014?pt=Sailboats&hash=item2a1221cf0e
I’d be all over this like white on rice if I could!
Happy bidding.
Gary do you remember if it was thousands, or hundreds?
Hi Alex,I had a guy that worked for a termite Co. that I fixed his car & was real happy so he gave me a case of termite stuff, (not cheep stuff) It goes a long way, it is in gallon containers & if you want one I will donate it to the cause.. Send me an address & I will send it to you if you want it,, it is what the pros use not what you can buy here.. Butch— p.s. sent you an e-mail before I really thought about it,get after em!!!!!
Man that boat is too cool, been reading the survey. Has a large workshop with drill press, lathe, band saw. I like the stern hung rudder. I don’t like the Isuzu motor, but one could find an old Perkins for cheap. I like all the Hydraulics and especially the line shaft turning all the belts. I have thought of this for my kubota but it does not have enough power to power all the Hydraulics I’d like (windlass, auto pilot, h2o maker, etc). With a small metal lathe one would never have to worry about money again being able to machine parts for cruisers wherever you are in the world.
I spoke to a exterminator here and he said they don’t have vikane gas here in Panama for tenting / termite killing. If my buddy Gary is right I may be off to Cartagena sooner than I had thought. The termites are freaking me out, I really want them off the boat!
46 today, (Happy Bastille day to the French) ARRRRRG, a stones throw to 50. I must say I’m happy to be where I am in life, especially with all the new health changes in the last few months. It’s good to be free, healthy, and on the sea!
Happy Birthday!
Jimmineeee christmas trees…….I just looked at the boat on ebay and man is that a special boat or what. I was up half the night thinking about this mansion on the water myself…. It’s times like these where I relfect back and remember reading your blog when you made the decision to pack up and take off, because the broker life didn’t make you happy….. I contemplate this everyday from behind the desk….. I too am a registered representative…… right now I’m trying figure out a way to max out my credit card, tow it 250-300 miles up the coast to my home port, break the lease on my house, get the girlfriend, quite my job (box with a mind controlling device that allows you to eat and sleep) and meet you in the san blas:)……… I think I have the towing dilema covered I could hook it up to my 9hp achilles and drag her home, but i’m afraid on the way up the coast I might make a u turn and end up in columbia :))) ok I’m snapping out of it… just realized the other dilemas (house and girlfriend)won’t happen today.you’ve inspired me and one day my friend I will meet you ….. Thank you…
You have exaclty what your are supposed to have other wise you wouldn’t have it…. besides if you had a huge boat that would mean crew and who wants to live with that everyday….
Thanks for living the dream and letting me escape for a minute…….. I have to go back to the slave trade:)
Oh yah Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!
Cole,
Your right for sure, I have exactly what…, in fact, much much more than I need, and I am crazy grateful for my good fortune.
But your wrong about one thing, I wouldn’t need crew, I’m captain Alex Dorsey! ;)
There is a delicate balance of captains and their ships, “Quantum Leap” (the aluminum boat) needs a special kind of captain and I really hope she finds it. Someone built, and put a lot of love into that boat and it really is a crying shame (to me) to see such a fine ship in such bad shape. Their are basically two kinds of captains. The ones that take from their ship and let them go, and ones that give to their ship and make them better.
Whoever buys that boat should bring her directly to a yard in San Diego for a re-power/bottom job. Remember NO COPPER, not even a stray penny in the bilge. That goes for bottom paint too, no copper in the paint.
Unfortunately someone will probably try to convert it into a floating condo and she will take her place next to all the other unused boats in the harbors, or someone will just get in too far over their head, not be able to handle the learning curve, and she will end up scrap. It happens to a lot of metal boats.
I’m not working today and going fishing.
If you want to get out of the matrix bad enough you’ll make it happen :)
Peace.
Happy Birthday Alex. Fair winds and many miles under the keel.
Happy Birthday buddy. I wish this boat came up for sell six months from now. I have no way to tow it. Oh well, not meant for me. It sold for $10,663.12. Someone got a great price on this boat.
Happy birthday, Alex. I wonder what percentage of people can wake up on their 46th birthday and tell themselves that they are where they want to be and doing what they want to be doing. I think those that can know it’s not because of luck or fortune or blessings, but because of dedicated effort to get to that situation. So I won’t tell you how lucky you are, but I’ll congratulate you on your successful efforts to live your good life. Well done. I’m sure it will all continue to pay off into the future.
Happy Birthday Alex! Every time I feel like I am getting caught up in the web of our culture’s obsession with pessimism, I think of you. Thanks bro. I really do appreciate it. BTW, I probably mentioned before that I will be 46 Christmas day. I’m sure we saw the same rock concerts back in the day. I was always a big WHO fan.
I swore 6 days to Sunday I wasn’t going to go out for my birthday. I really just wanted a quiet night on the boat with a book . When I drink (especially beer (wheat)) It usually knocks me out of being productive for a few days, and I’m really into being focused at the moment!!!!
Well my Irish/S. African friends managed to drag me from Splendid for dinner and drinks at Hanz’s place. The rum & fresh pineapple juice started flowing and I had some local prawns for supper. Not such a bad way to spend a birthday :) They also have a Cheoy Lee, but a Golden Wave, a completely different design than Splendid.
We really got to talking about cruising destinations, our plans, and where to go. I think they are generally as lost as I am. My plans, although somewhat loose, are to cross the Pacific again come March (without termites!). I really have Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, and China, on my radar.
Stephanie really went on about Africa and how how cheap, inviting, culturally diverse, and amazing with wildlife it is.
I’ve pondered countless hours/charts about crossing the Atlantic but in the end Europe puts me off. If I were to enter the med I would be on a fast track for the eastern Med (Turkey, Egypt, Greece) where it is still cheap & uncomplicated to live for a cruiser. I would also be very interested to enter the Black sea and visit my mothers homeland (Ukraine) where I still have much family.
The other option is to miss the Med all together and sail to Mexico, Bahamas, Bermuda, Azores, Madera, Canary Islands / Morocco, Western Africa & the Cape Verde Islands, then I don’t know where. I think I would be inclined to cross the Atlantic again and do S. America.
I want to find some real (not CNN) information on the Suiz canal and the red sea. This would really be a good option as I could do the eastern med, Black sea, Africa, and finish my journey to the Indian ocean. Well not finish my journey but you know what I mean. The word “Circumnavigation” kind of puts me off as well. It implies an end to a journey on the sea as well as a fast/direct route around the world, neither of which I’m much interested in. I’m in this for the long haul!
Man these termites are a kick in the teeth! I have a friend (wood boat) who tented here in Panama at Shelter Bay marina and I’m trying to find the contact. I’m a bit worried about the expense but it’s just one of those things, It needs to be done, I’ll have to figure it out.
The clock is ticking and no matter where I go I have about 8 months to get my ship together.
I have a bit of a hang over and I’m about to make a good hangover breakfast (Sausage, eggs, potatoes & onions).
Thanks for all the birthday wishes and thanks for putting up with all my crap over the last 8 months. I was in a pretty distracted place. 46 will be a good year for me :)
Cheers.
Happy Birthday a day late. I was wondering why I was in party mode last night dented a bottle of tequila and the big head today… It was a great celebration. Thanks…
Termites… Bummer. Best of luck Bro.
We’ll be in touch.
Just wanted to give you a shout from the valley of the sun, that you have a great piece of details, these instructions are very clear and helpful. Thanks for sharing this awesome label. Can’t wait to see what else you have.
Joseph
Readers Guide
http://www.vssm.org
Aloha Capt Alex, Hau’oli la Hanau (Happy B-day)! Haven’t checked in on you in awhile so just by coincidence that it be near your b-day. Good to see yer still livin the dream!!! I’ve been distracted by all the economy crap and trying to stay afloat (figuratively speaking, unfortunately), but I still nurse a similar dream as well, all be it still on the horizon. I have two good ole sailing mates, who have reached their goals and are looking for a 60′ sail to charter with. If you hear of anything special, pls give me a shout. As always should you ever be near the “Big Isle” of Hawaii , you’ve got a place to stay.
Btw , i saw mention of an occasional newsletter; I’ve been a member for a few years and don’t receive any; do I have to sign up somewhere for those?
fair winds and following sea’s an plenny (pidgin) tropical breezesss
aloha oi
happy b-day alex ….CAPTDAVE ck me out if you get to kona svplanb4@aol.com….fishing has been good…mavis will be in pc oct 5th for marcos wedding….when you firm up plans for your future call me….still got 12 volt system…G
Quantum Leap washed ashore on Maui yesterday after the crew abandoned her 700 miles north of here. Her engines failed and only the injured captain knew how to sail. What a shame.
http://www.facebook.com/JackTarMag
http://www.facebook.com/JackTarMag#!/photo.php?fbid=10150443785969257&set=a.10150126055034257.318521.590624256&type=1&theater