interlux perfection – sailing dawn treader

Refinishing the Bowsprit

We move about the world at an irregular pace. Occasionally we sail fast and appear to be on track to girdle the entire globe in a year. Other times we seem stagnant, as if we have arrived to our destination and our journey is over. Of course neither is true for long. No matter how fast we sail, we will slow down sooner than later. Dawn Treader, Debbie, and I can only pretend so long before we reveal our true slow natures. But when we seem most stuck, we are actually purposefully moving to rest ourselves, prepare our boat, and wait for a season to arrive. Continue reading Refinishing the Bowsprit

Interior Paint 2

Since we made so many interior modifications, we had a great opportunity to paint the entire cabin. Painting all the old formica, and lots of dark teak trim, changed the cabin drastically. It is brighter, more cheerful, and easier to clean. Continue reading Interior Paint 2

Bucket sink galley

The bucket sink is versatile and moveable. In Dawn Treader, the first location was below the companionway.

Original sink and galley

Original alcohol stove was below counter hatch

Original location of new bucket sink, alcohol stove removed, Atom stove in place

After altering our companionway and building a new water tank, we got to work on the galley. We created 3 storage sections (where there was one) with watertight bulkheads.

Original hatch size

Resizing opening

Wide open single compartment

Cutting out a little more countertop

Divider bulkhead

Longitudinal divider

Dry fit of bucket sink

Filling holes

Painted!

Nice and clean, ready for hatch covers

Our simple galley design has made its everyday use clean, easy, and fun.

Painted countertop (Interlux Perfection). Open hatch, empty space for bucket

Bucket fit

Closed hatch with faucet

Sink (giant salad bowl) in place

Water filter and foot pump

Finished sink

Finished galley with Atom stove by James Baldwin

Moka pot and Ed Hose art!

Curry! We painted our table too!

Integral Water Tank Part 2

200 hours later, we finished the water tank! Parts 1 (Building an Integral Water Tank) and 2 combined for a rewarding job; now we have double the water capacity (65 gallons), more storage, and an easy to clean cabin sole.

Installing 3 inspection ports

Using an angle grinder to recess the inspection port to stand less proud

Dry fit

Brew coat on the bottom of the sole/tank top

Brew coat (second coat)

Third and last coat

After finishing the brew coat (a food grade epoxy coating), we prepared to epoxy the forward sole section and the main cabin sole/tank top into position. We applied epoxy to the tops of the flange from the old cabin sole, and to the new floors and baffles in the water tank.

Forward sole, to be glued down first

Forward sole section (future storage) with epoxy

Sole/tank top glued in! Filler pieces showing

FIlling/fairing compound

Fairing/sealing tank top in

Aft plumbing for vent and supply

Bilge side plumbing: vent and supply

FInished border paint (interlux epoxy primekote), also cream color interlux perfection with non skid

Yes!

We finished the project by filling and painting the border of our new sole. Our water system works great! Check out our galley post to see our bucket sink, foot pump, and water filter.

Nesting Dinghy – Junior

Junior was born in 2013. He was built in Beaufort, North Carolina according to plans by Graham Byrnes.

After 2 years of sailing, Junior was ready for some TLC. His makeover was our first project upon return to the states in spring of 2015.

Check out this short video of Brian taking Junior apart in the water: Video: Nesting Dinghy, Quick Disassembly.

Exterior Paint

Our new spring 2014 deck paint was interlux perfection, and kiwi grip for non-skid. After our 2015 exterior construction projects, we’ll be painting again. We like the old saying…If it doesn’t move paint it, if it does move, give it a paintbrush.