Wow, I’ve really been busting my ass and I wonder if the the ass busting blogs will be replaced with sailing blogs one day? I sometimes question my ability to finish Splendid? Have I opened a can of worms, or am I restoring Splendid the way she should be restored…, the right way? I just don’t know sometimes.
Every morning I wake up and go to work from 5-10 hours. It’s not easy in the 95 degree heat, especially with a heat gun in hand. Splendid and I are at a point we can’t charter and I need to keep plowing forward no matter how badly I want to go fishing or procrastinate. I must finish this.
Every stanchion and piece of deck hardware from the cockpit aft has been 
removed. It has taken me a few weeks with a heat gun and loads of sanding disks but the aft cabin house is stripped. I’ve taken 5 layers of paint off along with a terrible sticky material (paint or primer) that never should have been applied as a yacht finish. The sticky layer was dug in like a tic and didn’t want to come up, IT WAS AN ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE!
Sometimes I kick myself and wish for Namaste back. But if I can only finish…, if I can only strip the rest of Splendid and get her primed and painted I’ll have the boat I want, I know she’s in here somewhere I just need to find her. When I’m at my wits-end I go to look at the nicely painted and fair stern. I find myself running my hand along its clean white surface a few times a day for motivation. I’m happy it’s not black, but like a new shirt, I had to try it on.
The rest of Splendid looks really, really bad now. My bed is covered in fiberglass dust as I’ve had to remove the headliner in my room to drill, grind, and scrape. Everything in and out of Splendid is a mess, It will take me weeks just to clean up.
I took the aft hatch off yesterday and found it rotten on the back side, I’ll put on my carpenter hat and fix it too. I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed and trying to convince myself this will make my reward so much sweeter.
As far as the termite thing I have a number of calls out and I’m hoping for an option this week. If I don’t get one I will make a tent from plastic and plumb my exhaust into splendid and do it myself (I wont be in her). If I have found one thing about cruising its the fact that in order for things to be done successfully, one needs to take the responsibility, be creative, and do it yourself. I wish I had access to Vikane gas instead of exhaust. They have a gas here that would work but it is very corrosive to copper and I don’t want to expose my wiring to it.
I have a free app for my iphone, It’s called quotezilla, I suggest you download it, its cool.
You can search and read quotes by author or topic. Today I looked up “determination” because I am in desperate need of some. I found a few good quotes and want to share them:
“If I were dropped out of a plane into the ocean and told the nearest land was a thousand miles away I’d still swim, and I’d despise the one who gave up”.
– Abraham Maslow
“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not, the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “press on” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”
– Calvin Coolidge
“The determination to win is the better part of winning”
-Diasaku Ikeda
“Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.”
– Gail Devers
I believe I can grow old on this beautiful yacht sailing the world as an autonomous minimalist. I believe one day I wont be covered in fiberglass dust and able to dawn a white linen shirt and not get it covered with gunk at every turn in my home. I also believe I can make enough from my films and website to support myself. These are my goals, and I want to make them real.
My cousin has decided to unplug and I’ve been helping him look for a boat on yachtworld. There are sooooo many solid boats in the 10-20k (27 –35’) range that one can buy and take off with that don’t need much work. Splendid had some big issues for sure (mostly cosmetic) but when this old girl is done, wow, what a great little ship to travel upon.
I’ve just noticed the day count on the blog page. I’ve been at this “BlueSphere” thing for just under 3000 days now, its a lot of days eah? I’m so happy I started this whole thing nearly a decade ago. Project BlueSphere, Namaste, and now Splendid have brought me where I need to go. Whenever I feel stuck or behind the eight-ball I “try” and remember that the “journey is the destination” and enjoy every moment of it.
I have a question for someone who knows more about electricity than I do. As you know I have a 110 water maker, it’s an old sea recovery SR400. I was going to run the cat pump directly off of the engine but I’m trying to figure out if a 4kw (4000watt) generator will power it. The water maker has an industrial Baldor 110v motor, the placket on it reads:
1.5 HP
115/208-230 volts
20/10.5-10 Amps
1725 RPM’s
My thinking is if the Generator puts out a minimum of the required 20 amps (max ?) it should cover it. What I’m fuzzy on is the placket on the electric motor (water maker) reads 20/10.5-10 Amps? I’m assuming that means it requires 10 – 10.5 amps on average, and 20 under a full load? If you know about this please make a comment otherwise I’ll try to contact Ballmar.
I had an epiphany the other day. Since I cut out wheat I’ve cut out wheat bread. Then I realized corn tortillas don’t have Gluten, at least I don’t think they do. I’ve been making some really great corn tortillas (super/stupid easy) in the morning, yummy!
Anyway, time to make breakfast and get to sanding an endless sea of glass!
Peace, Love, and death, death, DEATH to the termites!!!!!!!!!!!
– alex
Hi Again Alex,
Sea Recovery is located at “www.searecovery.com / Email srcsates@searecovery.com
The RE8040-SR400 is the series of osmosis filter used in some of the systems made by Sea Recovery.
Some where on the system should be a plate identifying which system you have. The voltag of 110 would require a higher amp load (20) and a voltage of 208-30 would require a lower load level of 10/10.5 amps.
Some of there systems use a load rating of over 50 amps. If you can give me the osmosis model number from Sea Recovery, I’ll try to get you more information.
Gary G. peterson (WB6MAA)
Alex i sent an e-mail….john hale works at shelter bay……paublo fired him and tried to hire him back, but john’s services were in demand and he now works at shelter bay……..if he doesn’t have info for you, paublo at club nautico # 575-660-4863….if that does not work call me and i have one more name in cartagena…..or marcos might know…………..G
Alex,
115 volt at 20 amps = 2300 watts
230 volts at 10 amps = 2300 watts
If you have a 4000w generator you have power to spare, just make sure your cables can handle the current.
Catch you later
Ian
Alex, read my lips, we don’t care what quality of video you put out, JUST put one out there. Your much too critical of yourself, and need to just show us some STUFF. Down to earth dirty cruisin stuff. I’d like to see the skuff that guy put on when he dragged down on ya…..just stuff….. and we will pay you to look at it. Hope you understand what I’m sayin,,,,,,
Just my opinion, Dennis
Alex
All of us who work on there boats feel the same way. Every time I drive down to Salem I say to my self why am I doing this. Then I get to the boat and I can see that when she is done she will be beautiful I look out at the harbor and see the sailboats and think to my self I’ll be back out next year. So I just take one project at a time. Of course each project has many steps it takes as long as it takes. Go slow take your time and do a good job we’ll still be here.
Gary G. & IAN, thanks for the input. Plenty to spare is a good thing, I’m re-thinking my electrical system and trying to simplify everything. I found a used 4kw diesel Kubota generator for sale ($1000.00) and I’m thinking of selling my baby kubota and my satellite phone to afford it. The engine is almost identical to my little one but twice the HP. After much stress and aggravation I just don’t think I can squeeze what I want out of my 3.5 HP kubota. I will sell it as a stand alone 12v charging system (turning an alternator) which it is brilliant for. I don’t like 12 volt water makers (I’ve had them) as the output is low and the water quality is not as good, not to mention the membranes don’t last as long. The only option for my water maker is 110 or engine driven and I don’t want to use my main engine for anything but propulsion. I also am tapping out my inverter running tools all the time. My inverter overheats and I need to wait an hour or so for it to cool down (REALLY FRUSTRATING) before using it again. I also think I would be able to weld on-board with 4kw and my little lunch box welder. It would be another welcome income stream. I could try to get a little gas generator but they are kind of disposable, loud, and not as reliable. I’ve never liked generators of any sort but I may have to re-think my thinking?
Gary, I have a call into Shelter Bay now, thanks for the help bro..
Sunfishn. I have a video almost ready to post. You must understand how difficult (technically) it is for me to get a video up. My camera does not shoot in a native format I can edit (my fault, I shouldnt have bought the new flip) My computer spent 14 hours the other day crunching 30 minutes of video to convert it to a format I can use. I dont have endlass 110 and my power runs through an inverter, from a battery bank of which I need to charge with my main engine.. Most of my solar panels are down at the moment because all my stanchions are off the boat. Then I have to edit the video which I’m super good/fast at, not a problem. Once I have the video I need to drive/take a bus for two and a half hours to an internet cafe for bandwidth to upload it and wait (hours) while the whole thing transfers to my server. I don’t have DSL on my boat. If I had a better camera, a magic wall plug that had all the power I need, and hi-speed internet, I could get videos up all the time. If I were to do it on a boat I would need a generator, a very expensive BGAN (5k) system, and be able to pay $12 a minute for my bandwidth. Also I’m not going to charge for my video anymore, it will be in the free section, I’d like more people to watch them and hopefully if one likes them they will hit the donation button.
Off to sand, listen to music, and jump in the sea when I overheat.
Cheers
Note to self: Any fiberglass that will be under non-skid does not need to be so fair.
Yesterday I got the last bits of “sticky” off splendid, it marks the end of a terrible two and a half week pain in my stern! A few more runs of fairing compound and i will be ready to shoot primer on everything (on deck) aft of the cockpit.
Timtoolman.
Your right, I’m not putting a time limit on projects anymore, its too frustrating, it will be done when its done. However I need to invest a minimum of 25 hours a week. Man I wish I could find the strength to work as hard as I did on the ship, I was putting in 90-100 hours a week. We did have endless supplies and didn’t need to worry about food, laundry, or hauling water from the shore.
For all my Australian readers I found a sister-ship to Splendid (same year, 1973) for sale in Brisbane:
yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/cheoy-lee-midshipman-40/89053
cheers
Determination is a good word. An even better one is – perspective.
As I write this comment I am sitting at my desk in the gloomy rain soaked Pacific Northwest. We’ve had exactly 78 minutes of sunshine in this part of the country since June 1st. I’d trade with you, Alex. You can sit in my office breathing recycled air under halogen lights grinding out 8-10 hr days, to come home to rainy dank damp gray evenings, just to get up and do it all over again tomorrow. And I’ll take your heat gun, 95 degree sunshine, engaged in a labor of love restoring the self-contained ecosystem that will take a free man anywhere in the world he wants to go, all the while doing this while swinging on a hook in a protected tropical cove, with palm trees swaying in the gentle breeze, white sandy beaches, and turquoise crystal clear blue water lapping at your hull.
I like your office better than mine :-).
You my friend, have carved out a great life for yourself, and I know you know this. Most of us reading your blog would trade places with you in a heartbeat … I would.
The word is Perspective.
Cheers!
– Contrarian
Contrarian,
Your post reminds me of Joe vrs the volcano :)
My “perspective” is right on. Don’t get me wrong. I wouldn’t trade with anyone for anything, REALLY! I love what I do and where I’m at. I just get a little frustrated sometimes. I do so want to go traveling and the persistent itching from fiberglass has been driving me out of my skull, sleeping has been rough!
I only got in a few hours of work in today, but I did go for a nice bike ride to go shopping. I bought a chicken to put in the pot, it will last me a few days. I did get two teak hand rails and the teak base for the main sheet winch stripped, sanded, and put a coat of epoxy on them. I’ve been planning to paint all the teak that isn’t in the cockpit but I just cant do it. I’ll put some nice varnish on it and if it gets to be too much of a chore I’ll paint it later. Paint can always be stripped.
Lack of sun can be a real bummer, I know. At the height of the rainy season here sun can be a commodity. Too much rain drives me a bit mad. I love a good squall once or twice a day to wash things off, but when it rains for weeks on end I go bonkers. I don’t know if you remember when I was crossing the Pacific I got caught in a secondary ITCZ and it poured for 10 days, I wanted to jump ship!
I’m trying to push some sunshine and warm breeze your way M8.
Determination is a good word. An even better one is – perspective.
As I write this comment I am sitting at my desk in the gloomy rain soaked Pacific Northwest. We’ve had exactly 78 minutes of sunshine in this part of the country since June 1st. I’d trade with you, Alex. You can sit in my office breathing recycled air under halogen lights grinding out 8-10 hr days, to come home to rainy dank damp gray evenings, just to get up and do it all over again tomorrow. And I’ll take your heat gun, 95 degree sunshine, engaged in a labor of love restoring the self-contained ecosystem that will take a free man anywhere in the world he wants to go, all the while doing this while swinging on a hook in a protected tropical cove, with palm trees swaying in the gentle breeze, white sandy beaches, and turquoise crystal clear blue water lapping at your hull.
I like your office better than mine :-).
You my friend, have carved out a great life for yourself, and I know you know this. Most of us reading your blog would trade places with you in a heartbeat … I would.
The word is Perspective.
Cheers!
– Contrarian
Good to hear from you, Alex. Yeah, I know you have great perspective – after all, it was your self awareness, a strong sense of what you wanted in your life, as well as what you didn’t want, that has brought you the freedom you enjoy today. Congrats on your 3000 days unplugged from the Matrix!
The good news is, I will get a small taste of your life beginning tomorrow morning. I’m chartering a Hans Christian 43 for 1 week in the San Juan islands. I wish I was departing on day 1 of a 3000 day journey, hanging a left, and heading south, but I’m just happy to get out of the office and onto the water. Pray for sun :-)
Best,
– Contrarian
Good to hear from you, Alex. Yeah, I know you have great perspective – after all, it was your self awareness, a strong sense of what you wanted in your life, as well as what you didn’t want, that has brought you the freedom you enjoy today. Congrats on your 3000 days unplugged from the Matrix!
The good news is, I will get a small taste of your life beginning tomorrow morning. I’m chartering a Hans Christian 43 for 1 week in the San Juan islands. I wish I was departing on day 1 of a 3000 day journey, hanging a left, and heading south, but I’m just happy to get out of the office and onto the water. Pray for sun :-)
Best,
– Contrarian
Good to hear from you, Alex. Yeah, I know you have great perspective – after all, it was your self awareness, a strong sense of what you wanted in your life, as well as what you didn’t want, that has brought you the freedom you enjoy today. Congrats on your 3000 days unplugged from the Matrix!
The good news is, I will get a small taste of your life beginning tomorrow morning. I’m chartering a Hans Christian 43 for 1 week in the San Juan islands. I wish I was departing on day 1 of a 3000 day journey, hanging a left, and heading south, but I’m just happy to get out of the office and onto the water. Pray for sun :-)
Best,
– Contrarian
Good to hear from you, Alex. Yeah, I know you have great perspective – after all, it was your self awareness, a strong sense of what you wanted in your life, as well as what you didn’t want, that has brought you the freedom you enjoy today. Congrats on your 3000 days unplugged from the Matrix!
The good news is, I will get a small taste of your life beginning tomorrow morning. I’m chartering a Hans Christian 43 for 1 week in the San Juan islands. I wish I was departing on day 1 of a 3000 day journey, hanging a left, and heading south, but I’m just happy to get out of the office and onto the water. Pray for sun :-)
Best,
– Contrarian
Now I know why you don’t post videos that often. Thanks for the explaination.
I just went to the link of your sistership for sale. I know now why you like yours so much, the layout is great for livin………..and the draft is just right for gettin into places others can’t tread.
Thanks Alex for all you provide to us “land locked” sailors.
Dennis
Sunfishn
it’s not bad if I don’t have to crunch the video. I have a vid done
now I just need to go to Colon or panama city to upload. I’m going
to start looking for another cheapie camera that shoots in .avi or .mov, the old flip shot in .avi, the new one in HD mp4.
I have been using the main engine a lot, 4-5 hrs a day trying to keep up with the sanders and heat gun. I’m looking around for a cheap generator as I’m spending about $15 a day in fuel.
I broke my toe a few a few days ago slipping on some rocks
by the dingie dock, at least I think it is broken, all black & blue and hurts like he’ll.
I’ve been reading your blog and I find it remarkable how you keep yourself motivated throughout some pretty difficult (rotten) jobs. I have to admit, I’m one of those people that is NOT a self starter, yet I’ve found myself in your shoes quite often in the past. I hate working for ‘the man’ so I do stuff on my own, which usually results in me tackling some monstrous jobs better left alone. Yet you seem to get through them where I do not. Seriously man, what’s your secret?
Also, have you thought about buying a Sony PlaySport? It’s only about $139. I’ve been using it to film everything from motorcycle vlogs to scuba diving at Crystal River. A versatile camera that can survive a heck of a beating, plus it films at 30 or 60p, allowing for some modest slow-mo action. It’s officially waterproof to about 9 feet, but I’ve had it down to 35. Just a thought…
Anyway, hope your toe gets better man.
Alex: Remember… Eat the Frog. Get focused. One project at a time is all that can be done. Unless you are letting something dry and you can do another.
You choose the schedule. You choose the time for completion. You are the master of your world. Stand up. Proclaim your freedom.
Now go paint something. Wire something. Cook something. But do one thing at a time.
When you get up, do the toughest thing first. The rest of the day is easy. EAT THE FROG. It’s a good book and puts things in focus for me.
Take care buddy. Talk with you soon.
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea